The 2025 City of Worthington Community Grant Program is designed to assist nonprofit organizations in implementing projects or programs that provide significant community benefits within Worthington, Ohio. A total of $42,000 has been allocated for funding in 2025. The grant aims to support initiatives that align with the city’s priorities, such as providing basic human necessities, mental health services, and community improvement efforts. The program is overseen by the Worthington City Council, which designates a review committee to evaluate applications and make funding recommendations.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations that serve the Worthington community. Preference is given to organizations whose primary programs directly impact Worthington city residents or those within the Worthington School District. While no financial matching is required, applications are evaluated based on the percentage of their total budget that is requested from the city. Organizations that received previous funding must reapply, as past funding does not guarantee future awards.

The application process requires submission through the City of Worthington’s website, by mail, email, or in-person. The deadline for application submission is February 18, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. Late applications will not be considered. Applicants may be invited for formal presentations and evaluations before a final decision is made. Grant allocations are expected to be distributed in the first quarter of 2025. Applications for arts and cultural programs should be directed to the McConnell Arts Center.

Applications are assessed based on several criteria, including the demonstrated need for the initiative, the population served, the location of the organization, expected impact, financial need, and budget details. A scoring matrix is used to determine the strength of each proposal. Organizations must submit a budget outlining how grant funds will be used, documentation of nonprofit status, and the most recent financial records, including IRS filings or CPA-reviewed financials.

Successful applicants are subject to an audit by the City of Worthington Finance Department to ensure proper use of funds. For additional details, interested organizations can contact Management Assistant Riley Hoover via email at riley.hoover@worthington.org or by phone at 614-786-7347. The grant application and guidelines are also available on the City of Worthington’s website.