grant guidelines
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for grant funding, organizations must hold tax-exempt status under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3), operate as a government agency, or function as a church. We also fund fiscally sponsored organizations and other types of organizations in a case-by-case basis.
If you have a project in mind and are uncertain about your eligibility, please reach out to our staff through the contact form at the bottom. We will gladly talk to you about your ideas and offer guidance in moving forward.
Entities ineligible to apply for funding:
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations
- Organizations outside the U.S.
- Political parties, campaigns or political candidates
- Churches, religious groups or sectarian organizations that only serve congregation members
- Organizations that discriminate against persons for reason of race, religion, disability, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation/identity, national origin, or political orientation.
- Organizations designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
Prohibited Grants
The Athens County Foundation cannot provide grants for the following purposes:
- endowments
- scholarships
- religious purposes
- reimbursement for services or projects already completed
- deficits or debt reduction
- political or legislative action groups
- annual fundraising drives
Grant Timeline
Typically, our grants need to be spent within one year of the time you receive funds. If your proposals will take longer to complete, we recommend applying for the resources needed for the year and then reapplying for funding in the next cycle.
Submission
All applications must be completed online using ACF’s grant portal. If you are unable to access our forms, please contact our staff and we will assist you in completing your application. Alternatively, if you prefer to submit in person or via mail, please make sure you stop by or mail your application on or before the deadline.
Review Process
Upon receipt of your requests, our staff do a preliminary review of your proposals to ensure all required information is supplied by applicants. Our staff may reach out to you to ask for more information prior to review by the relevant committee. A committee composed of representatives from the ACF’s board of directors, fund advisors, and/or funding partners reviews your proposal using the following criteria:
- alignment to ACF and the funding opportunity’s mission, vision, values, and priorities
- feasible and reasonable use of resources
- capability to achieve anticipated impact through the proposed project.
Once decisions are made, you will receive a notification via email regarding the committee’s decision and any next steps.
FAQs
Eligibility
Q: We don't make any money, are we considered a nonprofit?
A: No, nonprofit is an IRS granted status to organizations: 501(c)(3) (Read More)
Q: May my group apply for a grant if we don't have 501(c)(3) status?
A: Yes, in many cases, you can. While ACF primarily makes grants to organizations with 501(c)(3) status, we recognize that meaningful community work often happens outside traditional nonproft structures. If your group does not have a tax-exempt status, you may still be eligible to apply through a fiscal sponsor or, in certain cases, as a non-501(c)(3) entity if that grant qualifies as an expenditure responsibility grant under the 2006 Pension Protection Act.
We are committed to trust-based practices that reduce barriers and increase access, especially for emerging and community-led efforts. If you're unsure whether your group qualifies, we encourage you to contact our team. We're happy to walk you through your options and help determine the best path forward.
Q: Do you fund individuals in need?
A: Our grants are made to 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, and government agencies only.
If you are an individual in search of support, we recommend reaching out to the Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) or any nonprofits serving Athens County.
Q: Do you only fund projects and organizations located in Athens County?
A: Any eligible organization, whether located within or outside Athens County, is welcome to apply to any of our competitive grant programs, provided that the organization's project benefits the residents of Athens County. If your program serves multiple counties, please specify the cost of implementing your program in Athens County only.
However, this isn't entirely applicable to some Donor Advised Fund-supported grant opportunities, such as those offered by the Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF) during its Spring and Fall cycles. RCIF has a broader geographic scope, enabling it to fund organizations serving beyond Athens, including Hocking, Perry, Meigs, Morgan, Vinton, and Washington. (Read more about RCIF)
Q: What are ACF grant funds allowed to be used for?
A: Grant funds must be used solely for the specific purpose for which they were awarded. All spending should support the charitable goals outlined in the approved proposal.
Grant funds may NOT be used for:
- Propaganda or attempts to influence legislation
- Participation in or influence over any public election
- Voter registration drives
- Religious instruction or activities that are not charitable, scientific, or educational
- Gift or advancement fees charged by institutions
- Indirect or overhead costs presented as a general rate or percentage
Application Process
Q: How do we submit our application and supporting documents?
A: Since May 2023, all applications and supporting documents are submitted online. Please [proceed here] to create your account and access the forms.
If you prefer to complete a hard copy and submit your application by email, mail, or in person, our team is happy to assist. Just use the contact form below or call us at 740-594-6061. We’ll provide you with the forms and ensure you can submit your application in the format that works best for you.
Q: I’m having trouble navigating the grant portal. Can I get help?
A: Yes, we’re here to support you. If you’re having issues with the portal or just need a refresher on how to use it, you can find step-by-step instructions and video tutorials through Foundant’s Support Hub. Visit the Support Hub to get started.
If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to our team, we’re happy to walk through it with you.
Q: Can we submit more than one grant application?
A: Yes, each application is evaluated on its own merit.
Q: Is there a minimum or maximum proposal amount required?
A: If you are applying for the fall cycle, we recommend asking for a minimum of $1,000. Average grants range from $3,000-8,000. If you are planning to submit a proposal in excess of $20,000, we strongly recommend you contact ACF staff prior to submission to discuss your proposal.
Q: Do you have any tips for writing a strong grant application?
Absolutely! A strong grant application clearly explains what you're trying to do, what you're requesting funding for, and the outcomes you hope to achieve.
We curated a short list of tips for you here.
Q: We received a grant that states the award is subject to ACF’s Standard Grant Agreements. What does that mean?
A: This means that by accepting the grant, you (the grantee) agree to comply with the following terms:
The grantee agrees to use the grant funds for the purposes described in the grant application within one year of the grant award date.
The grantee affirms its status as either a governmental entity or a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and will notify the Athens County Foundation of any change in that status.
If circumstances arise that prevent the full use of the grant funds as intended, the grantee agrees to contact the Athens County Foundation to discuss options for reallocating, extending, or returning the remaining funds.
Q: We received a grant from one or more of ACF’s Donor Advised Funds. What does that mean?
A: When you apply for funding, Donor Advised Fund (DAF) advisors may choose to support all or a portion of your request if it aligns with their interests and values.
If your organization receives support from a DAF, we encourage you to connect with the donor and share more about your work and its impact. These conversations help strengthen relationships across our community and create opportunities for deeper understanding and collaboration. If you are considering publicly recognizing the gift, we encourage you to discuss recognition preferences directly with the donor.
Q: What if we need to extend or revise our timeline after we’ve received a grant?
A: We understand that timelines can shift as work evolves—especially in community-based efforts. If you need to adjust your timeline or project milestones, just reach out to us. We approach all grants with flexibility and are happy to work with you on a revised plan that reflects your current realities. There’s no penalty for requesting an extension or change; we see it as part of maintaining open, trust-based communication.
Q: We've received more than one grant from ACF and would like to provide an oral report instead of a written one. Can we report on all of them during a single check-in?
A: Absolutely! If you're providing an oral report through a conversation with ACF staff, you're welcome to combine updates for multiple grants into a single check-in. We'll take care of documenting the conversation and preparing the reports, including separating information as needed for each grant.
Connect
Shayne Lopez
Program Director,
Grantmaking and Community Impact
