DELAWARE — Delaware County nonprofit organizations can now apply for funding through the county’s Community Enhancement Grant program.
Since 2014, the Delaware County Commissioners have awarded a limited number of grants to tax-exempt organizations for projects and programs intended to “enhance the quality of life in Delaware County.”
The program is funded through the county’s general fund. Commissioners voluntarily created the opportunity; it is not required by state law.
“These grants are intended to provide nonprofit organizations with an additional financial resource to complete projects or activities that serve the residents of Delaware County,” the application states.
Last year, the program funded $224,966 in grants across 13 different projects:
- Andrews House, roof replacement: $20,000
- Central Ohio Symphony, Link Up education program for fourth graders: $8,000
- Delaware County Cultural Arts Center, window refurbishment at The Arts Castle: $23,480
- Delaware County Historical Society, roof repairs at the Old Jail: $18,000
- Family Promise of Delaware County, flooring replacement in the Promise House: $14,906
- People In Need, replacement of food pantry doors: $17,771
- Recreation Unlimited Farm and Fun, Inc., accessibility upgrades to prairie walking trails: $21,305
- Safe Harbor Peer Support Services, renovations to new headquarters: $5,000
- Stockhands Horses for Healing, fiber installation for internet: $15,000
- Strand Theatre and Cultural Arts Association, purchase and installation of presentation equipment: $11,534
- Stratford Ecological Center, construction of new education building: $20,000
- TAG Community Living, purchase of maintenance vehicle for The Alpha Group: $25,000
- Turning Point, purchase of van for Delaware domestic violence shelter: $25,000
The amount available for these grants varies from year to year, and there is no guarantee or requirement that grants be awarded every year, according to the application.
The program is a reimbursement system, with recipients submitting completed invoices and then receiving funding after the fact.
Submitting an application is not a guarantee of funding, applications are limited to one project per agency and submitting multiple projects with the intent of having the commissioners choose one will not be considered.
Additionally, “priority will be given to projects that can be considered a ‘one-time’ project, activity, event, or capital improvement,” the application reads. “Priority also will be given to those organizations that have not received funding in the past.”
The window to apply is three weeks, with the deadline being 4 p.m. on July 9.
