The Ripley County Community Foundation has a variety of available grants to benefit nonprofit organizations and their projects that serve Ripley County. The grants program strives to anticipate the changing needs of the community and be flexible in responding to them. It focuses on providing "seed" money or pilot project support, but general operating support grants could also be considered. The program aims to have the greatest benefit per dollar granted and encourages the participation of other contributions through matching, challenge, and other grant techniques. The financial condition of the applying organization will be considered, as well as its strength, community support, leadership, clarity of proposal, and eligibility.

To be eligible for these grants, organizations must be a nonprofit operating in Ripley County. Grant applications must qualify as an exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c), or be sponsored by such organizations, or qualify as governmental or educational entities with similar attributes per IRS Code Section 509(a). The purpose of the organization's grant application must fall within one or more of the Community Foundation's four service areas: Arts & Culture, Business & Entrepreneurship, Education, Health & Well-Being, and Environment & Natural Resources.

Grants will only be made to organizations that have responsible fiscal sponsors and adequate accounting procedures. Grant recipients and fiscal sponsors must sign and abide by the respective conditions set forth in the Community Foundation's "Grant Award Agreements" and "Grant Report Forms". Organizations or their fiscal sponsors cannot have an outstanding or delinquent Grant Report in order for an application to be considered for future granting.

The Large Projects Grants specifically provide assistance for sizable projects needed to support and/or enhance an organization's charitable reach. Nonprofit organizations that serve Ripley County can apply for a maximum request of $5,000.00. The application deadline is August 4th.

It is important to note that previous awarded grants must be spent and accounted for before applying for another grant from the Ripley County Community Foundation. No grants will be made to defray travel or lodging expenses, for endowment purposes, for completed programs or already purchased equipment, for the acquisition of weapons or firearms, or exclusively for sectarian religious purposes. The foundation reserves the right to refuse any and all grant applications.