Annual Community Grant

The Greater Jefferson County Foundation has awarded many community organizations with grants totaling more than $1,790,000 over the last two decades. These grants to local non-profit groups have traditionally been used for capital improvements as well as some operational expenses.  Area communities benefiting from these grants include Fairfield, Batavia, Libertyville, Lockridge, Pleasant Plain, and Packwood. Grant applications are accepted each year beginning May 1st with a deadline of 4:00 PM CDT on June 1st, . Grants are then awarded and distributed in August or September.

Grant Application Information

Revised 2/2023

Read all instructions carefully before completing application.

  1. Official grant applications to non-profit organizations are available beginning May 1st (8:00 AM) and may be completed on-line through the Foundation’s web site, or by downloading and completing a PDF version of the application. The PDF completed application must be in the Foundation office no later than the deadline date/time of June 1, 4:00 PM CDT.

    No mailed applications will be accepted.
    Applications must be faxed (641-472-0758), emailed (gjcf0758@windstream.net) or hand-delivered to the Foundation office at 50 E. Burlington, Ste#206 (MidwestOne Bank Bldg). Please call for appointment. (641-472-0758)

    (Only current year official application and PDF form will be accepted. Do NOT use a previous year’s application. The verbiage “Grant Year 2024” will head the application)

    Do NOT add ‘addendum’ pages to the application. Use the space provided only.If more space is needed, use the online application form.

  2. The deadline is no later than 4:00 PM CDT on June 1. There are no exceptions. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation office by email (gjcf0758@windstream.net) or phone 641-472-0758 to confirm receipt of their application.
  3. All applications must include:
    1. Copy of latest completed Federal IRS Tax-exempt status letter. Your organization must be a 501©3 or a unit of government 170(b). Agencies that qualify as a 170(b) include counties, cities, and schools and do not need an IRS letter, but this must be indicated on the application.

      If the applicant is not a 501(c)3 or 170(b), a fiscal agent is required who is 501(c)3 or 170(b). The fiscal agent will be responsible for grant funds. Provide the name, address, phone and EIN# of the fiscal agent as well as a letter of support from the fiscal agent. (If the applying organization is a 501(c)3, do not include a letter of support…that is only if a fiscal agent is used)

    2. ONE PAGE ONLY of Current financials/balance sheet, Statement of revenues & expenditures, CPA Audit OR tax return (IRS 990 form). One page only, please.
    3. Completed Project Budget Sheet ONE PAGE. Include letters of commitment for in-kind contributions and other funding sources.
    4. The organization’s tax ID number.
    5. List of Board of Directors and their contact information
    6. A document of accreditation/license if the applicant is a school or daycare.
    7. The application must be SIGNED.

    NOTE: Paper copies of EACH application are made for 10 (ten) committee members. Please do NOT exceed the page limits requested for inclusions. Do NOT add ‘addendum’ pages. Use the space provided, or apply via the online application form. If more than one page is submitted, only one page will be printed.

  4. Grant applications will be reviewed on the following criteria, based on the number of citizens of Jefferson County who would benefit from the grant/project:
    1. Children, Youth & Families: Programs that enhance the quality of life for children & youth
    2. Community Betterment/Neighborhoods & Community Development: Programs that address community and neighborhood development, both social & economic
    3. Health & Human Services: Fire Departments, Law Enforcement; social service projects that benefit the underserved segments of the community;
    4. Education: Community education and services projects that serve all age groups and segments of the population
    5. The Environment: Programs that address our natural resources and environment
    6. Arts & Culture: Programs that provide or increase access to cultural and educational resources for theatre, music, arts, dance, and museums and that increase awareness of arts & culture
  5. Please note that we do not fund:
    1. Past projects; Debt Reduction; Budget Shortfalls
    2. Individuals
    3. Demographics outside the greater Jefferson County area
    4. Fundraisers
    5. Politics/causes
    6. Religious purposes (this does not exclude grants to religious organizations for nonreligious purposes)
    7. Equipment, unless it is essential for the program
    8. Ongoing expenses such as wages
    9. Endowments
    10. There is a reluctance to fund tax-supported entities.
  6. The applications are reviewed by the Grant Committee during June/July and recommendations are made to the Board of Directors. Action will be taken at a full Board of Director’s meeting to distribute the available funds in August. All proper grant applicants will be notified as to their approval or denial.
  7. Proof of your purchase (POP) for the capital item or operational expenses is required within six (6) months of grant distribution (February) (copies of paid invoices will suffice) Failure to submit this required documentation may jeopardize future grant applications.
  8. Any additional questions should be directed to the attention of Barbara Kistler or Amy Burkhart, administrative assistants at the Foundation office by phone, fax or mail.
  9. Grant recipients will be required to sign a Grant Agreement Contract before disbursement of funds. A representative of the Foundation will also sign and a copy of the document will be included in the disbursement envelope.

    *You must return any portion of the grant monies not used for the original designated purpose, or submit a letter of modification for consideration of the grant committees. Only one request pertaining to original grant application may be submitted per grant period.

    *Credit for the grant is requested in all media releases

    *NOTE: The online app will only work for application with a 2-hour window. You cannot leave the application open. Have all your documents/information ready to go before beginning the application. No emailed screen-shot applications will be accepted.

Deadline for all applications is 4:00 PM CDT. The portal will be closed immediately at the deadline.
Incomplete applications or materials received after the deadline will not be eligible for funding in the current grant cycle. No mailed applications will be accepted.

Please be advised that there are a number of organizations online that might also be considered for grant funding. For example, for Documentary Collections, Historic Preservation and Museums, apply at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Their deadline is May 1st. Cemetery preservation grants may be applied through the National Preservation Institute and usagrantapplications.org. These are just two examples of additional available grant avenues.

All applications should be faxed, mailed, or emailed to :
The Greater Jefferson County Foundation
P.O. Box 1325     Fairfield, IA 52556
PHONE/FAX: 641.472.0758   Email: gjcf0758@windstream.net

Policies

POLICY: NON-DISCRIMINATION

The policies and practices of The Greater Jefferson County Foundation are to carry out all lawful and permitted functions without discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, or physical or mental disability, and to treat them equally with respect to opportunities for participation as Foundation officers, directors, employees, or agents and as citizens benefiting from or consideration for benefit of the services, grants, programs and activities consistent with the lawful purposes and functions of the Foundation.

POLICY: GENDER NEUTRALITY

It is the policy of the Greater Jefferson County Foundation that all citizens participating in Foundation services, grants, programs, and activities, as well as officers, directors, employees, and agents have the right to function in an environment free from all forms of harassment or gender-based bias or prejudice. The Foundation does not condone, and will not tolerate, any harassment or gender-based bias or prejudice. The Greater Jefferson County Foundation shall take direct and immediate action to prevent such behavior, and to remedy all reported instances of harassment or gender-based bias or prejudice, sexual or otherwise.

POLICY: AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

No qualified individual with a disability will be excluded from participation in The Greater Jefferson County Foundation services, grants, programs, or activities on the basis of a disability. Information concerning this policy may be obtained in accessible formats by qualified persons with a disability by making appropriate arrangements. To receive more information or to request an accommodation to participate in the services, programs or activities, please contact:

John A. Morrissey, General Counsel
The Greater Jefferson County Foundation
109 North Court Street
P.O. Box 603
Fairfield, IA 52556
641-472-3144
Applications are not accepted at this address

Mission Statement: The Greater Jefferson County Foundation receives, accepts, and distributes funds for educational, cultural and charitable purposes for the benefit of the greater community of Jefferson County, Iowa. Our goals are to assist qualified organizations through grant distributions, provide scholarships for post-secondary education and training, encourage individual and corporate involvement through gifts and bequests, and to administer and invest funds for the creation of perpetual opportunities and services.