OVERVIEW: The Kosciusko County Community Foundation supports arts and culture, civic projects, education, the environment, health, recreation and human services in Indiana.
IP TAKE: The Kosciusko County Community Foundation “has 501 funds, each with a different purpose.” There are a few different ways to get involved with this community funder, which has a straightforward application process and multiple opportunities for grants during the year. Grantseekers from organizations that address one of KCCF’s focus areas while also having a Christ-centered mission seem to have an advantage here. Reach out to foundation staff to get started with your application.
PROFILE: Established in 1968, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF) is a community foundation based in Warsaw, Indiana. The Warsaw Chamber of Commerce originally sponsored the foundation, which was known as the Greater Warsaw Community Foundation. KCCF aims to “bring caring people and charitable endeavors together for the good of our community.” It funds local efforts for arts and culture, civic projects, education, the environment, health, recreation and human services. The foundation also supports Christian organizations.
Grants for Community Development
The Kosciusko County Community Foundation has several different types of funds that support area nonprofits each year. The foundation has at least 500 funds and of these, “81% are permanent endowments and 19% are nonpermanent funds.” All of its grantmaking helps improve the community in some way.
Community Funds grants have a competitive process and three cycles per year. These grants address broad areas of need in the community in the areas of arts & culture, human services, civic projects, recreation, environment, health, and education.
KREMC Operation Round Up encourages residents to round up the payment of their electric bills a few cents to the nearest dollar.
Grants in this area support community improvement and economic development, family services, youth development, shelter, and residential care. Past grantees include Kosciukso Development Land Trust, Cardinal Services Inc of Indiana, North Webster Community Public Library, Kosciusko County Shelter for Abuse, City County Athletic Complex, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Fire Department of Seymour, Teen Parents Succeeding, and Humanity and Hope United Foundation.
Additionally, KCCF offers agency endowment funds, a resource library, educational workshops and meeting rooms for nonprofits.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education and Early Childhood Education
KCCF education grants support early childhood development, k-12 and higher education, post-graduate education, and organizations that provide education services.
Community Funds grants have a competitive process and three cycles per year. Education is one of the key funding areas supported by community funds.
Infant & Toddler Care Grants support early learning and development programs that serve the citizens of Kosciusko and Whitley counties through nonprofit or school-based childcare centers and programs.
KEYS (Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services) is a youth philanthropy program that gives about $20,000 in grants each year to programs and projects that support students in the county. Complete guidelines and application procedures are available here.
Previous education grantees include Early Childhood Alliance, Little Lambs Preschool Daycare Ministry, Kosciusko County Head Start, Operation Read, Purdue Research Foundation, Butler University, Lakeland Christian Academy, Tree of Life Christian Academy, Ivy Tech Community College, Manchester University, and several different local school districts, including Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and Wawasee School Corporation.
The community foundation also gives scholarships to area students intending to pursue a degree at an institution of higher education.
Grants for Arts and Culture
Arts grants support museums, historical and cultural heritage groups, performing arts, and arts services organizations, as well as schools and churches with arts programs. They are typically awarded through the community funds program.
Community Funds grants have a competitive process and three cycles per year. The Arts is one of the key funding areas supported by community funds.
Previous arts grantees include Oakwood Foundation, Grace Schools, Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, Wagon Wheel Center Theatre, Warsaw Parks & Recreation, Kosciusko County Historical Society, Lawrence D Bell Aircraft Museum, Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, and Etna Green Museum.
Grants for Environment
KCCF funds nonprofits focused on the environment through its community fund program. Environment grants typically support plant biodiversity, preservation of water resources, and environmental education.
Community Funds grants have a competitive process and three cycles per year. The environment is one of the key funding areas supported by community funds.
Past environment grantees include Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Warsaw Biblical Gardens, Mollenhour Conservation Camp, and Tippecanoe Environmental Lake and Watershed Foundation.
Grants for Health
Healthcare grants support mental healthcare, inpatient and outpatient services, reproductive health, healthcare access, and rehabilitation.
Community Funds grants have a competitive process and three cycles per year. Healthcare is one of the key funding areas supported by community funds.
Previous grantees include Heartline Pregnancy Center, Cancer services of Allen County, Health First, Camp Alexander Mack, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, SIGN Fracture Care, Water for Good, and Healthy Community Coalition of Kosciusko County.
Important Grant Details
Grants range between about $100 and $75,000. The foundation awarded over $4 million in grants in a recent year and held more than $88 million in assets. Grantmaking focuses on Kosciusko County and the surrounding area in Indiana.
This foundation accepts grant pre-grant inquiries from nonprofits, but requests that grantseekers contact the program staff to discuss a project before applying.
KCCF uses an online grant application system to accept initial inquiries and full applications for approved inquiries.
Deadlines vary by programs:
Community fund grant application deadlines are the first of the months of March, July and November.
KEYS grant applications are due September 15 and January 15.
KREMC Operation Round Up Fund deadlines are the first of the months of February, May, August and November.
Direct general questions to the staff at kcf@kcfoundation.org or 574-267-1901.
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