Over the years the Hillsdale County Community Foundation has awarded millions of dollars to make a powerful, positive difference in our community. The Foundation administers over 100 funds and awards grants at various times throughout each year.

Funding Opportunities
Several funding opportunities are available through grants to our community. Each grant cycle has its own application, set of criteria, funding focus, and deadline for submission. For more information regarding our scope of funding, please see below or Contact Us directly and we will assist you.

General Foundation Grants
General grants are made from our named unrestricted endowment funds. General Foundation grants focus on improving the quality of life for the citizens of Hillsdale County. Eligible projects generally fall within these categories; education, fine arts, social services, community development, recreation, environmental issues, health, and wellness.

To apply to the Hillsdale County Community Foundation general grant cycle please click below to view our grant policy and application form. Grant applications are due November 1st and May 1st each year. Our guidelines and application forms were revised in February 2022. Please be sure to use the revised version below.

Y.O.U.T.H. Grants
The Foundation’s Y.O.U.T.H. Council is composed of local youth, grades 9-12. The Y.O.U.T.H. award grants from a separate endowment fund; the Kellogg Youth Advisory Fund. Their grant making focuses on issues that affect the youth of our county. If your project involves and impacts young people, please review the Y.O.U.T.H. grant policy and application forms. To learn more please click on Y.O.U.T.H.

Our online Grant Application has been upgraded to GoApply Version 2. 

Phase I

Projects that meet the guidelines and fit a grantmaking priority area can submit a “statement of intent” online. The application is brief and will collect basic information about your organization, the proposed project, and the amount of your request.

Once a “statement of intent” is submitted, you will be moved to Phase II within two business days. Please login to your dashboard to begin Phase II.

*Projects that are not chosen to go on to Phase II will receive feedback about the decision.

Phase II

Projects with a solid potential will be asked to submit a full proposal by the deadline. Following review by our program staff and our Grant Advisory Committee, the committee’s recommendation will go before our Board of Trustees for consideration.

Phase III

Once approved by the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the grant recipient will receive instructions to access their funding. Any contingencies and reporting requirements will be explained at that time.

Please review the new video and user guide.