We are pleased and honored by your interest in the Community Foundation. We hope you find these instructions and the application clear. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or comments. Click here to access Grant forms.

Notification of Funding Availability
Preliminary Grant Application
Full Grant Application Submission Instructions
Grant Application Screening
Grant Decisions
Ineligible Projects
Important Dates
Reporting Requirements
Requests for Exceptions

Notification of Funding Availability
Notice of funding availability and application instructions will be made public through local newspapers. Interested persons may contact the Community Foundation office at any time and request that a Preliminary Grant Application Form be sent to them for the next granting cycle. The Community Foundation may issue up to two (2) requests for proposals each year.

Preliminary Grant Application
To be considered for funding, organizations must first submit a Preliminary Grant Application Form. This preliminary application allows the Community Foundation to screen potential grantees for eligibility and compatibility with Community Foundation funding priorities. Eligible organizations will be mailed application materials and invited in writing to submit a full application. Ineligible applicants will be informed in writing. Click here to access a Preliminary Grant Application Form.

Full Grant Application Submission Instructions
Complete applications are due to the Community Foundation office by the date identified in the Important Dates section. Application proposals postmarked on this date will also be considered. A complete application consists of the signed, original application with supporting materials, and one (1) copy of the application and supporting materials. The original application must not be stapled or bound and must be single-sided. Click here to access a Full Grant Application Form.

Grant Application Screening
Each grant application will be screened by Community Foundation staff. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed and the organization will be notified in writing.

Grant Decisions
The Community Foundation is interested in supporting all areas of charitable activity in Putnam County. Each complete grant application will be researched by the Grants Committee. If possible each grant applicant will receive an on-site visit from a member of the Committee. If an on-site visit is not possible, the applicant will have the opportunity to meet with members of the Committee to explain the benefits and accomplishments of the proposal and to answer questions. The Board of Directors relies upon the work of the Grants Committee to inform its decisions.

Ineligible Projects
In general, grants from the Community Grants Program will not be awarded for the following:

• Individuals
• Ongoing operational expenses, i.e. salaries, rent, and utilities
• Projects that do not serve Putnam County citizens
• Projects normally fully funded by units of government
• Projects to build or fund an endowment
• Religious activities or programs that appear to serve one denomination and not the community at large.
• Political organizations or campaigns
• National and state-wide fund raising projects
• Projects that could be considered discriminatory
• Projects operated by for-profit companies
• Projects requesting retroactive funding  

Important Dates
Based upon funding availability and granting priorities, the Community Foundation may engage in up to two (2) grant award cycles each year. Please note: If dates identified below fall on a holiday or a weekend, the next business day is the due date.

First Grant Cycle (if applicable)
Feb 1 Preliminary application due
Feb 15 Selected applicants invited to submit full application
Mar 9 Full application due
May 1 Applicants notified of funding decisions
May 15 Executed grant agreements due to Foundation office
Jun 1 Grant disbursements
Jan 15 First grant progress report due to Foundation office  

Second Grant Cycle (if applicable)
Aug 1 Preliminary application due
Aug 15 Selected applicants invited to submit full application
Sep 9 Full application due
Nov 1 Applicants notified of funding decisions
Nov 15 Executed grant agreements due to Foundation office
Dec 1 Grant disbursements
July 15 First grant progress report due to Foundation office

Reporting Requirements
A final report is due at the time of project completion. Unless other arrangements are made, it is expected that projects will be completed within one year of the grant award. After a full six months, progress reports are due in the Community Foundation office on or before January 15 and July 15 for the previous granting period until the project is completed. Click here for Report Forms.

Requests for Exceptions
The grant making programs and policies of the Putnam County Community Foundation, Inc., are reviewed at least annually for relevance and excellence. The Board of Directors of the Putnam County Community Foundation has developed these guidelines for the submission and evaluation of grant proposals. Requests for exceptions to the guidelines submitted in writing will be reviewed and considered by the Board of Directors.