Grants

For Applications and Reporting

The Ripley County Community Foundation has a variety of available grants to benefit nonprofit organizations and their projects that serve Ripley County. Each project and program must meet the Community Foundation’s Grant Guidelines and Policies. Please note that only one application will be accepted per organization per grant and a complete grant report must be submitted prior to applying for a new grant request. The Ripley County Community Foundation Grants Program will:

Strive to anticipate the changing needs of the community and be flexible in responding to them.
Be change-oriented and problem-solving in nature with emphasis on “seed” money or pilot project support. General operating support grants could be considered.
Focus on those types of grants that will have the greatest benefit per dollar granted.
Encourage the participation of other contributions by matching, challenge, and other grant techniques. The financial condition of the applying organization will be considered.
Consider the organization’s strength, community support, leadership, clarity of proposal and eligibility.

Advisor Recommendation (Donor Advised) Grants

Advisors of Donor Advised Funds are required to submit this form in order for a distribution to a qualified and charitable organization can be made. One form submission must be made PER organization.

Recommendations CANNOT be made until the form is submitted and approved by the Ripley County Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. With this, the Ripley County Community Foundation kindly asks you not to publicize the organization(s) recommended to receive funding prior to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors’ formal approval. This form MUST be submitted no later than December 1st or the distribution will be rolled back into the fund.

Change Ripley County Grant

As an initiative of the Ripley County Community Foundation, Ripley Youth Outreach established the Change Ripley County Grant to give local youth (between the ages of 13 and 23) a platform in which to be heard, the confidence to take action to change their communities, and resources to enact that change. The grant encourages youth to partner with a local nonprofit organization to establish a change and improve Ripley County. The Ripley County Grant is available once every other year in the amount of up to $10,000.00.

All grant applications will be reviewed by the Change Ripley County Grant Committee which will select no more than five applications to advance to the final review process. Those finalists will be invited to make a short pitch to the committee for their project or program and answer any questions the committee presents.

Applications will be accepted any time during the year. To be considered, applications MUST be submitted by 11:59PM on July 5th. Applications not received by the due date will not be considered.

Distribution Requests

Distribution Checks will be remitted as soon as possible upon receipt of the completed Distribution Request Form by the Ripley County Community Foundation. This form MUST be submitted no later than December 1st or the distribution will be rolled back into the fund.

Hillenbrand Partnership with Possibility Grants

Hillenbrand announced a commitment of $200,000 to the community through the establishment of a new fund, the Hillenbrand Partnership with Possibility Fund. The fund will distribute a total of $200,000 back into the Batesville community over the next four years at $50,000 per year. Organizations with missions and programs that align with Hillenbrand’s four key areas of impact, can seek grants which range from $2,500 to $10,000.

Hillenbrand strategically selects partners that align with its Purpose and Core Values, in four key areas of impact:

Health and Safety
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Education and Trade Skills
Environment

Applications will be accepted starting April 1st, to be considered, applications MUST be submitted by 11:59PM on June 30th of each year. If this date falls on a holiday upon which our organization is closed, the deadline will be extended until 11:59PM on the next business day. Applications not received by the due date will not be considered.

Large Projects Grants

The purpose of a Large Projects Grant is to assist an organization with a sizable project needed to support and/or enhance its charitable reach. Large Project Grants are available once per year in the amount of up to $5,000.00. Organizations may apply for a Large Projects Grant and one Small Projects Grant each year. Organizations which receive a Community Impact Grant are NOT eligible for a Large or Small Projects Grant in the year in which they receive the Community Impact Grant.

Applications will be accepted anytime during the year but, the applications will be reviewed and decided on or about the 30th of October. To be considered, applications MUST be submitted by 11:59PM the First Friday in August. If this date falls on a holiday upon which our organization is closed, the deadline will be extended until 11:59PM on the next business day. Applications not received by the due date will not be considered.

Small Projects Grants

The purpose of a Small Projects Grant is to assist an organization’s needs that arise during the calendar year. Small Project Grants are available throughout the year in the amount of up to $1,000.00. Organizations may only apply for one small project grant each year and are also eligible to apply for one Large Projects Grant.

Applications will be accepted anytime during the year, but the applications will be reviewed and decided before the 30th of March, June, September, and December. To be considered, applications MUST be submitted by 11:59PM the First Friday of each of these months. If this date falls on a holiday upon which our organization is closed, the deadline will be extended until 11:59PM on the next business day. Applications not received by the due date will be held for the next Small Project Grant cycle.

Tarter / Herman-Crum Grants

The Frank Tarter Community Trust Fund (#403) and the Ray Herman & Louise Herman-Crum Memorial Endowment Fund (#418) were established to improve the quality and enjoyment of life for the residents of Osgood and the rural area surrounding Osgood. The Tarter / Herman-Crum Grants are available once per year in the amount of up to $2,500.00.

Applications will be accepted starting April 1st, to be considered, applications MUST be submitted by 11:59PM on April 30th. If this date falls on a holiday upon which our organization is closed, the deadline will be extended until 11:59PM on the next business day. Applications not received by the due date will not be considered. The applications will be reviewed and decided on or about the 30th of May.

Women’s Giving Circle Grants

The Linda S. Phaneuf Women & Children Fund (#425) was established to support projects which address issues affecting the women and children of Ripley County. In 2021, a Women’s Giving Circle was established to enhance the impact the Phaneuf Women & Children Fund has on our communities. Together, they create annual grant opportunities for local nonprofits which are serving the women and children of Ripley County.

These grant opportunities are known as the Women’s Giving Circle Grant. Three (or more) grants are available in April 2023 for an amount of up to $2,000.00. A second grant cycle may be available and awarded at our Day of Giving, the amount will be determined by the Annual Women’s Giving Circle Sponsorships and Memberships. Organizations which have received a Small Projects, Large Projects, or Community Impact Grant ARE eligible to apply.

All grant applications will be reviewed by the Women’s Giving Circle Grant Committee which will select applications to be presented to the members of the Women’s Giving Circle who will vote on which organization(s) shall receive the Women’s Giving Circle Grant(s). A representative of the receiving organization shall describe to the following year’s Women’s Giving Circle a report on the use of the grant funds.

Online applications will be accepted starting in February. To be considered, applications MUST be submitted by 11:59PM on the First Friday of April. If this date falls on a holiday upon which our organization is closed, the deadline will be extended until 11:59PM on the next business day. Applications not received by the due date will not be considered.