Guidelines for Grant Seekers
We enhance the health, hope, and happiness of residents in our community through building endowments, addressing community challenges and opportunities, and making grants to not-for-profit organizations. By supporting charitable organizations in a variety of areas, the foundation helps to build a stronger, healthier community.
All grant requests are carefully evaluated while considering the needs and opportunities in our area, as well as the available resources. Priority is given to those projects or programs that show potential for providing the maximum benefit to Lenawee community members.
The charitable funds that we manage are as varied as the donors. Almost all funds are restricted in some manner, and thus most are not available through the competitive process of submitting a request for funding. Some are restricted to specific organizations, and some are recommended by the donors. Other funds may specify a field of interest but leave the funding decisions to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. A limited amount of funds is unrestricted and may be utilized to support a broad range of not-for-profits benefiting the Lenawee County community. All grants are approved by the Board of Directors.
Service Area
Consideration is given to organizations, projects, or programs that provide direct benefit to residents of Lenawee County, Michigan.
Eligibility
Organizations must be not-for-profit and provide benefits in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education, or social services. Applicant organizations seeking or receiving board-designated grants exceeding $2,000 in any calendar year must submit an Intent to Apply and complete a precertification process thirty days before the due date of any grant for which the nonprofit would like to apply.
Deadlines/Notification Dates
Because of restrictions placed on many of the distributions from funds held by the Lenawee Community Foundation, specific types of grants are considered one time per year, as follows:
| Requests for: | Deadline: | Board Review: | Applicants notified by: |
| Youth Programs | October 1 | November | December 30 |
| Lenawee Cares | April 1 | May | June 30 |
| Health/Human Services | August 1 | September | October 30 |
We are proud to announce that the Lenawee Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Lenawee Cares Grants.
Grant applications are now open for a limited time, March 1 to April 1, 2025, for Lenawee nonprofit organizations that focus on basic needs.
Interested organizations are required to complete the Lenawee Cares application form and submit standard grant administration documentation.
Applicants are also encouraged to reach out directly to the Lenawee Community Foundation with questions (517) 263-4696 – ask for Paula!
All grant requests will undergo a rigorous review process by the Lenawee Cares Advisory Board, followed by recommendations to the Lenawee Community Foundation Board of Directors for approval. Recipient organizations will be notified of their status in June.
This year grant applications will be submitted electronically. To apply please visit: https://goapply2.akoyago.com/lenaweecf. If you have any questions, contact Lenawee Community Foundation today! Grants are due by April 1, 2025.
Have Questions?
Contact us for additional information or help.
