Grants

Grant Cycle Calendar

Beginning in 2021, the deadline for all grant cycles is 11:59 PM on their scheduled due date regardless if the day falls on a weekend or holiday. To apply, you must log into our online grants portal.

GRANT	DESCRIPTION	CYCLE OPENS	DEADLINE	BOARD DECISION	PREVIEW APPLICATION
February Community Grant	General operating and project support for organizations serving Lorain County.	January 1	February 1	Late July	Preview Application
July Community Grant	General operating and project support for organizations serving Lorain County.	June 1	July 1	Late December
African American Community Fund	Support for projects that improve the quality of life for the African American community of Lorain County.	October 15	November 15	Late January	Preview Application
Hispanic Fund	Provides grants to programs that are committed to improving and promoting socioeconomic and educational opportunities within the Hispanic community.	April 30	May 31	July
Women’s Fund	Awards grants to organizations that support social, educational, and artistic projects by, for, and delivered to women and children.	August 1	September 1	Late October	Preview Application
Youth Fund	Provides grants to non-profit organizations and teachers who provide youth development and educational opportunities to youth in Lorain County.	November 1	December 1	Late January	Preview Application
COVID-19 Response Fund	Deploys much-needed resources to organizations that work with people and communities that are adversely impacted by COVID-19.	To be announced	Rolling Deadline	Rolling Decision
Lakeland Community Foundation Minigrants	Awards $500 minigrants to nonprofit organizations based in Lorain County.	Beginning of each month	Rolling Deadline	Rolling Decision	Preview Application
Racial Equity Fund	Provides funds to organizations that support the transformation of structures and systems with the goal of providing access and equal experiences	November 10, 2021	December 31, 2021	Late January	Preview Application
Lorain County 4 Ukraine Emergency Response Fund	Provides up to $5,000 to local non-profit organizations supporting Ukrainian refugees who have relocated to Lorain County.	June 21, 2022	Rolling Deadline	Rolling Decision	Preview Application

Priorities

• The Board is interested in innovative programs that are responsive to community needs, partnerships, and collaborative efforts. Lower priority is given to capital and equipment requests, mandated services, and duplication of existing services.
• The Community Foundation of Lorain County has four primary funding areas: Arts and Culture, Education and Youth, Health and Human Services, and Strengthening Lorain County.

Eligibility 

• For the Community Grant Cycles, grant seekers may only apply once per calendar year (February/July grant cycles).   Grant Seekers are welcome to apply for additional Affiliate Fund Grants.
• Organizations must be located in or provide services to residents within Lorain County. Grant seekers outside Lorain County must provide information on Lorain County residents served.
• Grant awards will only go to tax-exempt organizations classified as 501(c)(3) charities by the Internal Revenue Service. If your program does not have a tax-exempt ruling from the IRS, please complete the Fiscal Sponsor Information Form.
• Reporting requirements from prior grants must be fulfilled before submitting a new application.
• Grants will not be made to individuals, for debt reduction, loans, for-profit businesses, tickets for benefits, annual appeals, tours, telephone solicitations, political campaigns, and religious activities. Scholarships will only be paid to accredited educational institutions (no payments to students).
• The Board is very concerned about the accountability and sustainability of programs. Organizations should have a diversified funding base.

If you experience any technical difficulties, please contact our office at foundation@peoplewhocare.org or 440.984.7390.