This grant opportunity is designed to support projects with a particular concentration on rural counties in the community. The intention is to provide financial resources for community-improving initiatives. Awards are available to local nonprofit organizations, small municipalities, and sometimes community service groups (via fiscal sponsorship); it is not generally open to for-profit businesses or individual applicants. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a strong connection to the county and show a clear benefit to residents throughout the area.
Funding is offered in two cycles each year. One cycle—supported by a state-endowment program—typically disperses a six-figure sum across local recipients, with individual grants ranging from several thousand dollars up to around thirty thousand. A second cycle is funded from local endowment or charitable pools and generally mirrors the scale of the first, giving up to a similar maximum per project, and distributing total resources in the six-figure range across proposals. These cycles tend to occur in winter (applications closing around early February) and again mid-year (typically late July through early September).
Funds must be used for defined, tangible community improvements rather than general operating expenses. This includes support for capital projects such as building renovation or equipment acquisition, as well as programmatic initiatives with clear objectives—like expanding local cultural events, public health efforts, civic engagement programs, educational enhancements, or social services. Applications should illustrate lasting impact, broad community support, and alignment with local priorities in health, culture, education, or civic life.
The benefits of this grant opportunity include financial support for impactful local initiatives, opportunity to leverage matching funds, and recognition within the community. Because the application process is regionally focused and cycle-based, recipients can plan ahead for funding rounds several months in advance. While not available to individuals or traditional small businesses, this form of support can substantially aid nonprofit-led or municipally partnered projects that serve the broader community within the defined counties.
