Providing Support to Bucyrus and Crawford County, Ohio Charities
The purpose of the Bucyrus Area Community Foundation is to serve as catalyst supporting the good work of nonprofit organizations and collaboration in response to the needs and interest of the residents of Crawford County. A portion of its work is carried out through its competitive grants program.
Bucyrus and Crawford County Charities Qualified for Grant Consideration
As a community foundation described in our Articles of Incorporation, the Bucyrus Area Community Foundation may only consider requests from organizations designated as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code including governmental units. This means that most organizations must have applied to the IRS and received a letter from them granting tax-exempt status. In addition, governmental units are considered tax-exempt, such as a county, city, or public school board. A number assigned by the IRS for bank accounts does not necessarily mean an organization has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3).
Guidelines for Grants Made to Bucyrus and Crawford County Charities
Income from unrestricted funds is used to make grants of the following types:
- New projects to support defined Community needs.
- School grants that are building- or system-wide use or will be used by a broad spectrum of the school population.
- Preschools, that at the time of application have in hand its 501(c)(3) determination letter; are able to document that they are non-denominational, and have an active open enrollment policy.
- Grants that will generate additionally needed funds for worthwhile community projects.
- Grants that provide needed programs for human services.
Scholarships
- Scholarships are awarded through the named scholarship funds held by the Foundation.
Miscellaneous details
- Requests for new equipment should include financial details, including a line-by-line narrative that addresses each major item.
- Programs currently in existence must explain how currently funded, anticipated funds for the upcoming program year, and why the funds from this foundation are needed.
- Effective, January 1, 1999, individual classroom grants requests are redirected to the appropriate school endowment committee.
Ineligible Requests
- The Foundation does not plan to support “Start-up” programs for more than one or two years, and it must be demonstrated that the program will be financed or be self-supporting beyond the start-up year. Financial figures should be shown to support this.
- Regular operating funds;
- Annual campaigns, local or national;
- Endowment programs (other then previously determined school endowments);
- Sectarian religious purposes, except for “designated” grants which have been accepted by the Foundation;
- Loans;
- Graduate fellowships and travel grants to individuals, except for “designated” grants/scholarships that have been accepted by the Foundation;
- Research grants; or
- Those organizations that have not completed prior grant requirements.
When applying for a grant, please complete the Bucyrus Area Community Foundation Grant Application and include any attachments as required.
After the grant request has been received, a member of our Board of Trustees, or staff, will be assigned to review and investigate the grant. The Trustee assigned will meet with representative(s) of the organization. The Trustee will then place the request before the entire Board for discussion and a final decision. Grants are usually made, if approved, in April and October.
If you desire, we would be happy to review a draft of your grant request before final submission. Schedule a Grant Application Review with a member of our staff.
Deadlines for Grant Submission
- December 31 - Grants submitted by this date will be awarded in late March of the following year
- August 20 - Grants submitted by this date will be awarded in October
If there is a more urgent time frame for any request, please Request a Grant Application Review for more specific advice.
