Overview
The minimum grant amount is $250.
Organizations must submit an online application to be considered for funding.
There will only be one more grant cycle for 2023. It will be from July 15th – August 15th
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
