Grant Guidelines

The Chisholm Community Foundation’s mission is to be a steward of funds for innovative and creative projects, which are responsive to community and economic development in the areas of social service, education, arts, and culture, conservation, and historic and environmental preservation.

The Foundation’s Grant Program will accept applications twice a year. All applicants must submit a cover page and follow the guidelines. Application deadlines are as follows:

Applications due March 31st Awarded in June

Applications due September 30th Awarded in December

Click Here for list of grants to date

Eligibility

  • Agencies applying for funds must serve residents of Chisholm and Balkan.
  • Grants are restricted to nonprofit organizations which have a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service and government agencies.

Foundation Focus Areas for Grant Making:

  • Arts/Culture
  • Economic Development
  • Education
  • Historic and Environmental Preservation

Priorities:

The Foundation considers the following priorities for use of dollars:

  • Projects that receive matching funds or challenge grants will have prime consideration
  • Projects that encourage more effective use of community resources
  • Projects that promote volunteer participation in community affairs
  • Projects that benefit children and the elderly
  • Projects that demonstrate new approaches and techniques in the solution of community problems
  • Projects developed in consultation with other agencies and promote coordination, cooperation, and eliminate duplication of services.

Discrimination:

The Foundation operates without discrimination as to race, age, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of grant requests and will award grants to agencies and organizations, which do not discriminate.

Restrictions:

  • Grants are not usually made to support operating expenses of well-established organizations or in response to fund drives for sustaining support.
  • Grants are not usually made to establish or to add to endowment funds.
  • Grants are not generally used for churches or sectarian religious purposes.
  • Grants cannot be made to individuals.

Criteria for Review of Requests:

Need (Community Need)

  • Does it already exist in the community?
  • How does it relate to the Foundation’s mission?

Feasibility/Impact:

  • Can the project be accomplished?
  • Will the effort result in the impact or solutions described?

Organization Capacity:

  • Is the project appropriate for the applicant?
  • Is there qualified staff to complete the project?
  • Are they committed to the project?

Resources:

  • Is the budget realistic?
  • Are other potential funding sources being approached, and are they obtainable?
  • If successful, can the project be self-supporting?

Important Requirements:

  • All organizations requesting grants will be interviewed by a representation of the Grants Committee. Site inspections may also be conducted.
  • The Foundation will provide the necessary funds at the completion of the project designated by the grant.
  • All paperwork must be completed before issuing funds. Copies of invoices for materials, labor and equipment should be included.
  • Projects should (if at all possible) be completed within six months of grant award.
  • Successful applicants must issue a press release describing the project and detailing what the monies will be used for. Another press release is also required upon completion of the project. Press releases should target news outlets in Chisholm and Hibbing.