Overview
The minimum grant amount is $250.
Organizations must submit an online application to be considered for funding.
There will only be one grant cycle for 2024. The open period for the 2024 grant cycle will be April 15, 2024 – May 15, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received and you will be notified if your organization has been chosen. If you do not receive a grant in one open period, you are welcome to reapply in a future grant period.
Eligibility Checklist
- Funds must benefit within The First Bank’s service area: the areas throughout The First Bank’s footprint
- Grantees should be nonprofit organizations with programs that benefit communities within this service area.
- Organizations must be described as one of the following:
- An organization holding a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), (4) or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code
- A recognized government entity: state, county or city agency, including law enforcement or fire departments, that are requesting funds exclusively for public purposes
- A K-12 public or private school, charter school, community/junior college, state/private college or university
- A church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large
Selection Process
- Heritage Community Foundation’s Board of Directors will review the application and make initial funding recommendations on all submitted requests.
- Heritage Community Foundation’s Board of Directors will set the frequency and process in which applications are reviewed. However, applications are typically reviewed within 60 days of the submission date.
- Organizations will be notified of any decision via e-mail. All funding decisions are final.
- If an organization is approved, grant checks will be mailed directly to the recipient organization at the address listed in the grant application. Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery.
- In the event of being awarded a grant, organizations should contact the Heritage Community Foundation to schedule a formal recognition event.
Funding Exclusions
- Athletic sponsorships (teams/events)
- Capital campaigns and endowments (defined as any plans to raise funds for a significant purchase or expense, such as new construction, major renovations or to help fund normal budgetary items)
- Fundraising events (walks, races, tournaments, dinners, etc.)
- In-kind donation requests, including requests for gift cards
- Nationally sponsored organizations: American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Children’s Miracle Network and United Way (Local chapters of nationally-sponsored organizations where funds benefit the local community only may be considered)
- Organizations that deny service, membership or other involvement on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran or disability status
- Organizations or programs that do not benefit the communities within the The First Bank footprint
- Organizations whose programming or policies may position The First Bank or the Heritage Community Foundation in a negative light
- Organizations whose services do not benefit the community at large
- Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns
- Projects that send products or people to foreign countries or on domestic travel
- Requests made solely to benefit one person or family
- Salaries, stipends, tips, rewards, membership fees or registration fees
- Scholarships to individuals (tuition, room, board, other expenses for college/university/vocational school attendance)
- Travel or conference expenses for non-profit personnel
- Tickets for contests, raffles or any other activity with prizes
