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grant guidelines

Eligibility Requirements


To be eligible for grant funding, organizations must hold tax-exempt status under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3), operate as a government agency, or function as a church. We also fund fiscally sponsored organizations and other types of organizations in a case-by-case basis.


If you have a project in mind and are uncertain about your eligibility, please reach out to our staff through the contact form at the bottom. We will gladly engage in discussions about your ideas and offer guidance in moving forward.

Entities ineligible to apply for funding:

  • Individuals
  • For-profit organizations
  • Organizations outside the U.S.
  • Political parties, campaigns or political candidates
  • Churches, religious groups or sectarian organizations that only serve congregation members
  • Organizations that discriminate against persons for reason of race, religion, disability, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation/identity, national origin or political orientation.
  • Organizations designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

Prohibited Grants

The Athens County Foundation cannot provide grants for the following purposes:

  • endowments 
  • scholarships 
  • religious purposes 
  • reimbursement for services or projects already completed
  • deficits or debt reduction
  • political or legislative action groups 
  • annual fundraising drives

Grant Timeline


Typically, our grants need to be spent within one year of fund receipt. If your proposals will take longer to complete, we recommend applying for the resources needed for the year and then reapplying for funding in the next cycle.


Submission

All applications must be completed online using ACF’s grant portal. If you are unable to access our forms, please contact our staff and we will assist you in completing your application. Alternatively, if you prefer to submit in person or via mail, please make sure you stop by or mail your application on or before the deadline.


Review Process

Upon receipt of your requests, our staff do a preliminary review of your proposals to ensure all required information is supplied by applicants. Our staff may reach out to you to ask for more information prior to review by the  relevant committee. A committee composed of representatives from the ACF’s board of directors, fund advisors, and/or funding partners reviews your proposal using the following criteria: 

  • alignment to ACF and the funding opportunity’s mission, vision, values, and priorities
  • feasible and reasonable of resources
  • capability to achieve anticipated impact through the proposed project.


Once decisions are made, you will receive a notification via email regarding the committee’s decision and any next steps.

Standard Grant Agreements


All grantees affirm its tax status as set forth in their determination letter, and pledge to notify the Athens County Foundation if there is a change in their status. Furthermore, all grantees must use the grant funding they receive in the specific purpose that the grant was made. Grantees must contact the Athens County Foundation if there are any funds not spent for the purpose of the grant to discuss the best way to return or reuse the fund.

FAQs

Eligibility

  • Q. We don’t make any money, are we considered a nonprofit?

    A: No, nonprofit is an IRS granted status to organizations: 501(c)(3).

  • Q. I’m part of a grassroots group that doesn’t have 501(c)(3) status. Can we still apply for funding?

    A: Yes—in many cases, you can. While ACF primarily makes grants to organizations with 501(c)(3) status, we recognize that meaningful community work often happens outside traditional nonprofit structures. If your group does not have tax-exempt status, you may still be eligible to apply through a fiscal sponsor or, in certain cases, as a non-501(c)(3) entity if the grant qualifies as an expenditure responsibility grant under the 2006 Pension Protection Act.


    We are committed to trust-based practices that reduce barriers and increase access, especially for emerging and community-led efforts. If you’re unsure whether your group qualifies, we encourage you to contact our team, we’re happy to walk through your options and help determine the best path forward.

  • Q: Do you fund individuals in need?

    A: Our grants are made to 501c3 organizations, churches, and government agencies only.


    If you are an individual in search of support, we recommend reaching out to the Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) or any nonprofits serving Athens County.

  • Q: Do you only fund projects and organizations that are housed in Athens County?

    A: Any eligible organization, whether located within or outside Athens County, is welcome to apply to any of our competitive grant programs, provided that the organization’s project benefits the residents of Athens County. If your program serves multiple counties, please specify the cost of implementing your program in Athens County only.


    However, this isn’t entirely applicable to some Donor Advised Fund-supported grant opportunities, such as those offered by the Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF) during its Spring and Fall cycles. RCIF has a broader geographic scope, enabling them to fund organizations serving counties beyond Athens, such as Hocking, Perry, and Meigs. (Read more about RCIF)

  • Q: I work for a local non-profit, and I have a project in mind to be considered for Athens County Foundation funding. Can I schedule a meeting with you?

    A: Absolutely! We are happy to meet in person or virtually to see if your program/project is a good fit for our Grant Programs. Our contact form and scheduling link are below!

  • Q. What if I have a project to propose outside of your grant cycle?

    A. You are always welcome to contact us. Generally, we don’t fund outside of our annual cycle but feel free to contact us to know about other resources or funding opportunities.


    For more questions, please feel free to contact us or use the contact form below!

Application Process

  • Q: How do we submit our application and supporting documents?

    A: Since May 2023, all applications and supporting documents are submitted online. Please [proceed here] to create your account and access the forms.


    If you prefer to complete a hard copy and submit your application by email, mail, or in person, our team is happy to assist. Just use the contact form below or call us at 740-594-6061. We’ll provide you with the forms and ensure you can submit your application in the format that works best for you.

  • Q: I’m having trouble navigating the grant portal. Can I get help?

    A: Yes, we’re here to support you. If you’re having issues with the portal or just need a refresher on how to use it, you can find step-by-step instructions and video tutorials through Foundant’s Support Hub. Visit the Support Hub to get started.


    If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to our team, we’re happy to walk through it with you.

  • Q: Can we submit more than one grant application?

    A: Yes, each application is evaluated on its own merit.

  • Q: Is there a minimum or maximum proposal amount required?

    A: If you are applying for the fall cycle, we recommend asking for a minimum of $1,000. Average grants range from $3,000-8,000. If you are planning to submit a proposal in excess of $20,000, we strongly recommend you contact ACF staff prior to submission to discuss your proposal.   

  • Q: Do you have any tips for writing a strong grant application?

    Absolutely! A strong grant application clearly explains what you're trying to do, what you're requesting funding for, and the outcomes you hope to achieve. 


    We curated a short list of tips for you here.

Grant Awardees

  • Q: We received a grant from one or more of ACF’s Donor Advised Funds. What does that mean?

    A: When you apply for funding, Donor Advised Fund (DAF) advisors may choose to support part or all of your request if your proposal aligns with their funding interests. We always inform grantees of the source of their funding. If you receive support from a DAF, we encourage you to acknowledge the donor’s generosity by reaching out personally to express your thanks.

  • Q: What if we need to extend or revise our timeline after we’ve received a grant?

    A: We understand that timelines can shift as work evolves—especially in community-based efforts. If you need to adjust your timeline or project milestones, just reach out to us. We approach all grants with flexibility and are happy to work with you on a revised plan that reflects your current realities. There’s no penalty for requesting an extension or change; we see it as part of maintaining open, trust-based communication.

  • Q: We’ve received more than one grant from ACF. Can we report on them all at once instead of scheduling separate check-ins for each?

    A: Yes! Through our flexible reporting process, you’re welcome to combine updates for multiple grants into one conversation or report. We know your time is valuable, and we’re committed to reducing administrative burden wherever possible. Just let us know when scheduling your check-in or preparing your update, and we’ll tailor the process to fit your needs.

Connect


Shayne Lopez
Program Director,
Grantmaking and Community Impact


Schedule a Conversation

Grants

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