GIVE 365 Wayne County Grants

Founded in 2016, GIVE 365 Wayne County is an affiliate fund of the Wayne County Community Foundation. Members of GIVE 365 contribute to the Fund each year. The group decides on a theme for each year's grant awards. Non-profit agencies in Wayne County, Ohio that propose projects related to the annual theme are eligible to apply.

Application Guidelines for Grant Proposals

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2021

The focus for the 2021 GIVE 365 grant cycle is "Supporting Wayne County, Ohio's Vulnerable Youth", with a primary focus on addressing childhood hunger and/or educational disparities resulting from a range of socio-economic factors.

Characteristics of GIVE 365 Grants

Eligible Organizations – By law, the Wayne County Community Foundation can only make grants to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit public organizations.  GIVE 365 strongly encourages collaborations between and among organizations working to achieve a common goal. In such collaborations, one organization must be identified as the grantee applicant.

Size of Grants – For 2021, GIVE 365 has $17,500 available for grants. Proposals that demonstrate the most effective use of this amount in the context of their programs have the greatest chance for success.

Duration of Grants – GIVE 365 grants are for a period of up to one year, with the expectation that the full amount of the grant will be used within that time.

Geographic Range of Grants – GIVE 365 grants must benefit agencies located in Wayne County, Ohio.

Leadership and Fiscal Accountability – GIVE 365 grantee organizations must have the leadership capacity, financial stability, and appropriate procedures in place for fiscal and organizational accountability.

GIVE 365 invites proposals for:

• Project grants: For existing project costs or those in addition to an organization’s regular programming.
• Start-up grants: For new and emerging organizations that may or may not have a track record but show significant promise for success and sustainability. These funds are specifically targeted to new organizations that need initial financing in order to leverage funding from other sources.
• Capacity-building grants: For organizations to increase their range of services or to efficiently serve more clients on an ongoing basis.

GIVE 365 will NOT fund:

• Scholarships to a university, college or technical program (However, WCCF has a number of scholarships for traditional and non-traditional students. Please see WCCF Scholarships for more information.)
• Capital campaigns
• Religious activities
• Political activities
• Retroactive funding requests
• Fundraising events
• Organizations that may be deemed as discriminatory on the basis of race, age, gender, ability level or sexual orientation
• Requests to reduce an operating deficit or to liquidate existing debt
• Agencies of the state or federal government, unless they are part of a community collaborative that includes eligible organizations
• Organizations outside Wayne County, Ohio
• Individuals

Online Grant Proposal Application

The GIVE 365 grant proposal application is an online application process.

Answer the questions as completely, yet briefly, as possible. Clearly state the goal of the project for which you are requesting funds and describe how the funds would address childhood hunger and/or educational disparities resulting from a range of socio-economic factors for Wayne County, Ohio's vulnerable youth.

If you are working with other organizations, foundations or businesses please identify them and describe the intended working relationship with each in the appropriate section of the application. You may also attach letters of support.

Instructions on how to submit your organization's Online Grant Proposal Application is available through this TUTORIAL. 

To begin the online application process, click on the application link below.

NOTE: If you need to create a new account, select "New Applicant?" on the login screen and provide your email address and password and then select "Return to login".

NOTE: If you have established an account, enter your email address and password on the login screen and click the "Login" button. You will then be asked for your organization's EIN/Tax ID number and this begins the online application process.

GIVE 365 Grant Application 

If you chose to "Save & Finish Later" while entering your application information, click on the link below to return to your application. This link will take you to the login screen. Once logged in, the title of your application will appear on your "My Account" page. Click on your application title to resume entering your application information.

My Account/In Progress Grant Proposal Application 

Once you submit your completed application, a confirmation email will be sent to you.

If you have submitted a completed application and would like to enter a new application for your organization, click on "GIVE 365 Grant Application" link above to login and begin your new application.

Grant Proposal Application Deadline

The grant application deadline is March 1 (by noon), for a decision by May.

If you have any questions regarding the GIVE 365 grant guidelines or grant proposal application, please contact us at (330) 262-3877.

If you have any questions about the application process or about the appropriateness of your specific request for consideration, please contact Sara Patton, WCCF Executive Director at 330-262-3877 or spatton_wccf@sssnet.com.


Proposal Review and Grant Approval Process

1.  Proposals are reviewed by the GIVE 365 membership. You may be asked to arrange an on-site visit from representatives of GIVE 365 and/or Wayne County Community Foundation staff. You may also be asked to conduct an off-site office interview with members of GIVE 365. Review criteria will include the following:

• Does your proposal include all required attachments?
• Are the objectives of your proposal clear?
• Does your proposal promote collaboration between organizations?
• Does your proposal target GIVE 365's stated funding priority?
• Is your budget projection realistic?
• Is your organization financially stable enough to implement the project?
• Does your organization’s structure provide appropriate levels of leadership and accountability?

2.  GIVE 365 grant award recommendations must be approved by Wayne County Community Foundation’s Trustees.

3.  Award decisions will be determined in part by the capacity of the applicant organization to implement the proposed project and meet GIVE 365 objectives.

4.  For 2021, GIVE 365 has $17,500 available for grants.

5.  Award recipients must submit one interim report within the first six months, as well as a final written report and final fiscal report within one year of the award. They may be called to provide an in-person debriefing at the conclusion of the project period.

6.  Grant awards will be announced not later than May 2021.

Thank you for requesting a grant from GIVE 365.

We look forward to learning about your project and reviewing your request for funding.