General Policies

Grant Evaluation Criteria

The following questions will be taken into consideration when evaluating the request and in making decisions:

1. Is there an established need for the project for which the grant is requested?
2. Is it appropriate to make a grant for the requested purpose, or are there other more compatible sources of potential funding?
3. Are there adequate resources available to effectively respond to this need?
4. Does the grant applicant possess the capacity necessary to insure the success of the project?
5. Does the grant applicant have a responsible fiscal agent and adequate accounting and financial policies?

Grant Policies

The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc. (DCF) awards grants only to non-profit charitable organizations or for charitable purposes as determined by Foundation board of directors.

Grants are awarded only to organizations:

1. whose programs benefit the residents of Dearborn County; and
2. which provide for a responsible fiscal agent and adequate accounting procedures.

Generally, grants are not made:

1. to individuals, except for scholarships;
2. to provide for programs and/or equipment that were committed to prior to the grant application being submitted; or
3. to fund travel expenses.

Grants are not made:

1. to support political parties, campaigns, or issues;
2. specifically for sectarian religious purposes, but can be made to religious organizations for general community programs; and
3. exclusively for endowment creation and debt reduction of recipient organizations.

Additional Grant Policy Information:

1. Grant applicants may be required to submit additional information prior to a grant decision.
2. All grant applications are reviewed by the DCF staff and evaluated by a grant and/or advisory committee.
3. The grant and/or advisory committee may discuss the applicant with knowledgeable individuals outside the DCF and may visit applying organizations to obtain supplemental information.
4. Recommendations are presented to advisory committees when applicable and then to the Board of Directors of the DCF where final grant decisions will be made.
5. All grantees must submit a copy of the executed grant agreement prior to any funds being released.
6. The Foundation staff is willing to assist grant applicants in choosing appropriate projects for which to apply. Please call the DCF to make an appointment.
7. Turn in your applications early. The grant review process for some programs may take up to three months. Please plan accordingly when considering the date of your project and the date of your grant submission.
8. All grantees must submit a final grant evaluation report. Failure to submit a final grant report could affect future eligibility.