Grantee Toolkit

Since 2000, the Hudson Community Foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in grants.  We support and collaborate with other nonprofit organizations working to meet community needs and enhance our quality of life in Hudson.

At Hudson Community Foundation, we think of our grantmaking as responsive and impact driven. The process of applying for and being awarded a grant is certainly competitive and we cannot fund every great idea that comes our way. Our goal is to impact Hudson by making strategic investments in programs and organizations that are working to improve and enhance the overall quality of life in our community.

We want to be responsive to the current needs of our community, but we also want to get out in front of future needs. We take pride in our ability to impact so many aspects of our community—some that are visible and some that are behind the scenes.

 

Below is an overview of our competitive grant process with links to other information on our process. 

 

How to Apply for Grants

Recent Grants

 

Eligibility

The Hudson Community Foundation welcomes grant requests from nonprofit organizations that are classified as nonprofit charitable organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code or, in some cases, government agencies. The Hudson Community Foundation will welcome grant requests from nonprofit organizations that are located in, or provide services to Hudson, Ohio. The Foundation will look favorably on grant requests that fall into these areas of interest:

  • Art and Culture
  • Historical and Environmental Preservation
  • Social Services
  • Youth Education and Recreation

 

General Exclusions

  • Religious organizations or events
  • Private foundations
  • Operating deficits or debt retirement
  • Support to individuals
  • Advertising
  • Testimonial dinners
  • Political organizations or campaigns
  • Capital campaigns
  • Endowments

NOTE:  Generally, one grant request per 501(c)(3) organization will be accepted per calendar year.

 

Important Dates

2024 Grant Cycle #1

Grant applications due Wednesday, March 13 by 3 pm

2024 Grant Cycle #2

Grant applications are due Friday, September 13 by 3 pm

 

 

How to Submit

Please mail or email your grant application to:

Hudson Community Foundation
Grants Committee
49 East Main Street
Hudson, OH 44236

Or email your proposal with GRANT APPLICATION noted in the subject line to:

info@myhcf.org

NOTE: 

Include with your online application an Executive Summary (not more than one page)

  • Requested Amount
  • Project Description
  • Signed by the Executive Director/President
  • Contact Person if different than Executive Director/President

When a Grant is Awarded

Within two weeks after the Board of Directors meeting, you will receive notification of the funding decision. If your project is funded a Grant Recipient Report is required within 90 days after the completion of the project. Instructions will be mailed with the award letter and grant check. Failure to complete the Grant Recipient Report will preclude an organization from future grant consideration for one full calendar year. 

There is no prescription to ensure success in obtaining a grant. Each proposal is evaluated on the basis of its potential benefit to the people living in our community at a given point in time and on the innovation, resourcefulness, and credibility of those submitting it.

 

Preparing Your Grant Application

Your grant application will include areas of information listed below:

  1. Executive Summary (one page)
    • Requested amount
    • Project description
    • Cover letter signed by the Executive Director/President
    • Contact person
  2. Organization Background 
    • Mission and founding date
    • Major programs
    • Board of Trustees listing
    • Number and capacity of staff
  3. Organization Financial Information
    • Operating budget
    • EIN Number
    • Most recent financial statement
  4. The Project You Propose
    • Project objective and expected outcomes
    • Population to be served
    • Project start and end date
    • Total budget for the project
    • Additional funding sources
    • If the project is ongoing or an annual event, how it will be funded in the future?

NOTE: Generally, one grant request per 501(c)(3) organization will be accepted per calendar year.