The Helping Hens Fund, established by the Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Club and administered by the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, aims to promote fitness and wellness among children in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Priority is given to programs encouraging physical activity during warm weather months and those that include an educational component focused on healthy lifestyles. Grant funds may cover expenses such as league fees, equipment, transportation, uniforms, and program materials. Grants range from $1,500 to $10,000 for programmatic support, while capital requests for maintaining or constructing sports venues may be funded up to $30,000.

Eligible projects for capital funding must demonstrate how the improvements will increase youth participation or enhance the experience of participants. Examples of eligible venues include baseball fields, dance studios, swimming pools, and other sporting facilities. Proposals must indicate additional revenue sources for the project. Priority will be given to projects that have not received prior support from the Helping Hens Fund, and organizations cannot receive funding from both the Helping Hens Fund and the Walleye Wishing Well Fund in the same calendar year.

Applications are open to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that provide services to residents of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The annual application deadline is January 31, with submissions required through the foundation’s online portal. Proposals are reviewed by the foundation’s staff and the Helping Hens grant review committee, with funding decisions communicated in April. Expenses incurred prior to funding approval cannot be reimbursed.

Proposals must include a detailed project description outlining goals, objectives, implementation plans, and the qualifications of project leaders. Evaluation criteria should specify the number of youth served, projected cost per participant, and the potential impact of the project. Applicants must also outline plans for sustaining the project after grant funds are expended and provide a detailed project budget, including all income sources and expenses.

Required attachments include the organization’s IRS tax-exemption letter, a board-approved operating budget, financial statements (audited or unaudited from the past 18 months), a list of board members and their affiliations, and a background summary of the organization. Proposals not adhering to submission guidelines will not be reviewed, and faxed, emailed, or mailed submissions are not accepted.