What Does the Community Grants Program Fund?

Grants must be written in support of communities within the THCF service area: Eastern Jackson County (East of I-435) in Missouri, suburban Jackson County (outside of KC metro), and Cass County. Funding requests are for activities that will take place in the next fiscal year. With proposals due in March, it is recommended that your project have a start date of November/December of that year OR begin in January of the following year.

Applications to the Community Grants program must address one or more of the following issues:

• Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation
• Adult or Non-Traditional Education (not Children's Education)
• Community Betterment (improving neighborhoods, youth development and leadership, programs for seniors, transportation, violence prevention, racial equity, etc.)
• Health and Human Services
• Wildlife Conservation in Missouri – open to agencies statewide

Is My Organization Eligible to Apply?

Organizations that are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, units of local government, or public education institutions located in or serving individuals or communities in Eastern Jackson County (East of I-435), suburban Jackson County (outside KC), and Cass County are eligible to apply for Community Grants funding for Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation, Adult or Non-Traditional Education, Community Betterment, and Health and Human Services. 

Statewide applicants are accepted when applying for Missouri Wildlife Conservation projects.

3-Year Rule

Beginning in 2024, a 3-year rule will be implemented. Programs, projects, and general operating grant awards are eligible for funding for up to three consecutive years. All previous grantees and their programs/services will have a "re-set." The 2024 grant awards will be considered YEAR 1 of funding. Grantees will be eligible for two additional years of funding (a new application is needed each year). Once an agency has received grant monies three years in a row, the agency MUST take one year off before reapplying for a grant.

Eligible organizations may apply for ONLY ONE grant, either through Community Grants OR the Jelley Family Foundation Grants. This is also a change that begins 2024.

What Is A Typical Community Grant Award Amount?

The average Community Grant award is $5,000-$7,000. Approximately $250,000-$300,000 is available annually through the Community Grants program.

Important Dates for Community Grants
 

Community Grants
 

• Applications are due the fourth Monday of March
• Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by early October
• Grant checks will be issued in November at our annual Grants Luncheon
• All recipient organizations must submit a written final report to THCF at the conclusion of the program funded or twelve months from the date of the award

The THCF grants process is very competitive and we want to ensure that each proposal receives fair consideration. We ask that organizations double-check all attachments and ensure that the proposal is completed accurately and submitted before the deadline. In the event that an error is identified and if time allows, Foundation staff will reach out promptly to update any requirements.

Youth Advisory Council Grant Evaluations

THCF's Youth Advisory Council (YAC) students participate in our Community Grants program each year. Students review Community Grant proposals that serve the communities where they live and go to school. YAC members conduct site visits to applicant organizations during June and July. The members then share their findings and provide recommendations to THCF's Grants Committee. YAC also uses these site visits to determine how they will award their annual grant dollars from their Endowment fund. 

If your proposal proceeds through the first round of reviews, your agency may be asked if it is willing to host a site visit to discuss your grant proposals with our Youth Advisory Council members. This is entirely optional and will not affect final grant award decisions if you choose to decline.

What Does The Application Include?

• Click HERE to download a Grants Budget Sheet that must be included in your application. This is not needed for General Operation requests.
• Click HERE to download a Grants Report Form. This form should be used to create an interim or final report. All organizations that have previously received grant funding must submit a final report regarding their most recent completed grant award. This would be any grant awarded prior to the most recent November check distribution.
• Here is a SAMPLE of information requested on the Community Grants application.
• Make sure you have your organization's tax-exemption letter. Follow THIS LINK to request a copy of your organization's tax-exempt letter from the IRS. Here is a SAMPLE of a correct 501(c)(3) letter.

Enter the Grants Portal