The Community Foundation of Noble County (CFNC) offers grants to nonprofits for charitable projects serving Noble County. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Noble County – for good, forever. We fund innovative projects with significant community impact, guided by our board’s priorities: childcare, senior issues, economic development, and education.
Grants are awarded through a competitive application process. Nonprofit organizations serving Noble County are eligible to apply, with opportunities available in the following categories:
Available Grants
- Community Impact Grants (Now Categorized: See Below)
- Celebrate Community Fund
- G. Martin Kenney Memorial Fund
- Hagen Family Advised Fund
- Lloyd Ness Family Fund
- P.U.L.S.E. Teacher & NPO Grants
- Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site Field of Interest Fund
- AWS Foundation Accessible Communities Fund
Grant Cycle Deadlines
To better suit community needs, CFNC has categorized grant cycles with the following deadlines:
Community Impact Grant Categories
- Senior Issues & Human Services – Deadline: March 2 (Applications Open January 1)
- Childcare & Education – Deadline: July 2 (Applications Open May 1)
- Economic Development & Other Charitable Services – Deadline: November 2 (Applications Open September 1)
Additional Fund Deadlines
- Celebrate Community Fund: March 2, July 2, November 2
- AWS Foundation Accessible Communities Fund: March 2, July 2, November 2
- G. Martin Kenney Memorial Fund: March 2, July 2, November 2
- Hagen Family Advised Fund: March 2, July 2, November 2
- P.U.L.S.E. of Noble County Grants: January 5 & September 5
- Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site Fund: November 2
- Lloyd Ness Family Fund: July 2
Note: Applicants may only have one open grant at a time. All deadlines are final.
Grant Prioritization Framework
The Community Foundation of Noble County ensures its grantmaking aligns with core values and strategic priorities. Grants are evaluated based on the following prioritization criteria:
- Located or Serving in Noble County
The organization must be based in or benefit residents of Noble County. - Diversified Funding
Applicants should leverage other public and private funding sources. The foundation does not intend to be the sole funder. - Alignment with Community Needs
Proposals must address needs substantiated by assessments or studies demonstrating community demand. - Established Community Partnerships
Collaboration with local organizations, businesses, or stakeholders is required for support and resources. - History of Impact
High-quality performance, metrics, and evaluations should showcase the organization’s success in prior projects. - Sustainable Programming
Projects should have a clear sustainability plan, aiming for long-term viability and reduced dependence on foundation funding. - No Duplication of Services
Proposals should address service gaps without duplicating efforts of other community organizations. - Long-Term Impact and Investment
Focus on solutions with lasting benefits, reducing the need for consecutive funding.
Evaluation Criteria
Grant applications are also assessed on:
- Level of Collaboration: Engagement with other community entities.
- Project Sustainability: Long-term viability and independence.
- Clear Measurable Results: Defined goals and metrics for success.
- Justification for Investment: High return on investment in terms of community benefits.
How to Apply
CFNC utilizes an online grant application system. To begin, create an account to save and manage your application progress.
We recommend reviewing the detailed overview of each grant type on our Available Grants page before starting your application.
Questions?
For further assistance, contact:
- Jazmín Herrera, MNA, Director of Community Engagement and Leadership: Jazmin@CFNoble.org | 260-894-3335
- Caroline Sizelove, Program/Office Assistant: Caroline@CFNoble.org | 260-894-3335