Read on to learn more about our grant partnership process.
Our organization is interested in a grant. What's the first step?
The best place to start is our website’s Grants page. Here, you’ll find an overview of our trust-based philanthropy approach, how we partner with organizations, and the types of work LCF supports. Next, check out the Strategic Discretionary Grants section for details on our funding priorities and the process for getting started.
Do we have to apply?
We don’t have a traditional application. Instead, we invite organizations to use our LCF Strategic Discretionary Grant Program Info Form to share information about the program, project, or initiative they’d like us to support. You can create a profile and complete the form here to tell us more about your organization and the impact of your work in Licking County.
What types of organizations are eligible?
LCF can make grants only to Qualified Charitable Organizations. We define that charitable status as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, as well as government or quasi-governmental organization. That means in addition to nonprofits, we can also support schools or school-based programs, municipalities, county agencies, and related agencies. We cannot make grants to c4 and c6 entities, or to religious organizations for religious purposes.
We’ve submitted our Program Info Form. What happens next?
After you submit the form, LCF staff will conduct an initial review of the information provided to confirm eligibility, alignment with the Foundation’s mission and priorities, and our overall capacity to support the proposed partnership.
Following that review, we may reach out to schedule a time to “grab a cup of coffee” and learn more about your organization, program, or project. While this step does not occur in every case, it is sometimes helpful as part of the review process.
Once the initial review is complete, the Information Form is shared with the Grant Partnership Committee for preliminary review. Any questions generated during that process will be communicated to the contact person listed on the form.
After all reviews are complete, LCF staff will present a partnership recommendation to the Grant Partnership Committee for consideration. From there, the process may move in one of two directions:
- The committee recommends partnership to the Board of Governors for approval; or
- The committee requests additional information or follow-up questions through LCF staff before moving forward.
If a recommendation is advanced to the Board of Governors, the Board typically meets approximately two weeks after the committee meeting. Following Board action, LCF staff will contact the organization with an official partnership decision and, if approved, a formal partnership offer by the end of the month.
What if there are questions about our organization or project?
Once the initial review is complete, the form is shared with our Grant Partnership Committee. Any questions from the Committee are forwarded to the contact listed on the form for clarification.
Will we have to meet with someone at the Foundation?
Yes—after confirming eligibility and answering initial questions, we typically set up a coffee conversation with the primary contact. This informal meeting is a chance to meet in person, ask questions, and share more about the process.
How long does the process take from there?
The Program Officer presents your request at the next scheduled quarterly Grant Partnership Committee meeting. The Committee’s recommendation is then sent to the Foundation’s Governing Committee for final approval, usually two weeks later.
Will we be notified about our request?
Yes—once the Governing Committee has approved recommendations, the Program Officer will reach out to your organization to formally invite you to partner with the Foundation for a one-year term.
What happens next if I did not receive a partnership offer from the Foundation?
If you have submitted an Information Form and your request is not recommended for partnership, an LCF staff member will contact you directly to communicate that a partnership opportunity is not being offered at that time. Organizations are welcome and encouraged to submit future requests for consideration.
Reasons a partnership may not be recommended can include, but are not limited to:
- Limited or no alignment with the Foundation’s mission, priorities, or strategic focus areas.
- Ineligibility due to not meeting the requirements of a qualified charitable entity. All LCF grant partners must be recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, governmental agency, or quasi-governmental entity.
- The Foundation’s capacity limitations related to supporting the proposed project or initiative or current inability to accommodate the partnership opportunity.
While not every request results in a partnership, we value the work organizations are doing throughout the county and appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your efforts to increase the quality of life for all in Licking County.
Can I renew our organization's partnership once the year is over?
As the partnership year comes to a close, your Program Officer will discuss the conclusion of the current funding period at an upcoming Community Conversation or schedule a discussion to provide an opportunity to reflect on progress and next steps.
If you are interested in continuing the partnership, you will be invited to share updates on your ongoing programming or outline a new project (if the original partnership supported a one-time initiative). This information will help inform consideration of continued support as a current grant partner. Your Program Officer will then share the information with the Grant Partnership Committee, and the process will go through the traditional partnership process.
What is the difference between one-year and multi-year partnership with the Foundation?
Multi-year partnerships are structured as a commitment to collaborate annually for three consecutive years. Each year is funded and reviewed on a one-year basis, with the shared intention of sustained partnership over the three-year period.
One-year partnerships represent a commitment to collaborate for a single calendar year on a specific program or project with a qualified charitable organization, with the goal of enhancing quality of life for all residents of Licking County.
How do I become a multi-year partner of the Foundation?
All partnerships are by invitation only; multi-year partnerships begin as one-year partnerships. To be considered for a multi-year partnership with the Foundation, an organization must first meet all eligibility requirements for a one-year partnership. This includes being a qualified charitable organization (such as a 501(c)3 nonprofit or a governmental or quasi-governmental entity), aligning with our current funding priorities, and the Foundation’s available funding capacity for partnership. If these criteria are met and there is mutual interest, your Program Officer will reach out to discuss the possibility of multi-year collaboration.
As an LCF partner, do I have to participate in the Licking County Learns Together (LCLT) sessions?
While participation in Licking County Learns Together (LCLT) sessions is not a formal requirement of partnership, organizations are strongly encouraged to attend sessions that support and strengthen the work they are doing throughout the county.
The LCLT calendar is developed annually using direct feedback and data collected from the nonprofit sector to identify the most significant gaps in knowledge, training, and organizational capacity. In response, local, state, and national experts are invited to lead sessions designed to support professional growth, organizational development, and long-term sector capacity.
For more information, email grants@thelcfoundation.org.
