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Grant Requests & Criteria

Applicants must meet the mission of the John's Island Foundation and primarily benefit the Indian River County Community. Only capital needs will be funded. Capital needs are defined as tangible assets, typically with a useful life of three years or more.
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Mission:

The John’s Island Foundation provides grant funding for capital needs to nonprofit agencies that serve residents in Indian River County. Agencies eligible for funding are those that serve people in need and whose programs are directed toward meeting needs or assisting with issues related to food, shelter, disabilities, health, aging, abuse or children’s education. 

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Grant Request Guidelines:
 

  1. In all cases, grants must meet the mission of the JIF and primarily benefit the Indian River County Community.
     

  2. Only non-profit tax-exempt organization 501 (c) (3) will be considered.
     

  3. Applications must be signed by the Executive Director as well as the Board President. All agencies must provide the following documents with their applications: Copy of IRS letter or IRS tax – exempt number, letter from the State of Florida verifying registration with the Department of Ag. & Consumer Services, the most recent independent audit with a management letter, the latest 990, Internal financial statement & P&L for the previous 6 months, a copy of the latest annual report, Current Board of Directors, Organizational Chart, Board minutes for the past 12 months, a Capital Budget, at least two estimates for the project that is being considered for funding and a succession plan for Key Staff and Board members.
     

  4. Only capital needs will be funded. Capital needs are defined as tangible assets, typically with a useful life of three years or more (i.e., additions or improvements to plant and equipment, educational needs such as playground equipment and transportation). We do not fund the purchases of Education Curriculum. Desktop computers may be funded for specific programming needs. In general John’s Island Foundation does not fund devices including cell phones, iPads or laptops for personal use. Normally painting is considered regular maintenance unless it is specific to a new construction or renovation project.
     

  5. Applicants should demonstrate a track record of operation with continuity of programs serving those in need for at least one year. The agency must be financially viable, demonstrating sound financial and budgetary controls evidenced by, a history of meeting budget projections. A yearly independent audit is required from agencies with an annual operating budget of $100,000 or more. Agencies with less than $100,000 may submit a financial review. We encourage agencies to establish a capital budget and a capital reserve.
     

  6. Grant requests should demonstrate the agency will make its best efforts to complete the project in a cost-effective way, including competing bids where appropriate. If a grant is approved for a construction project, funds may be released when the project has been fully financed, permits approved, and construction started. Normally these conditions must be met within 12 months of the grant date.
     

  7. If a collaborative effort is pertinent to the request, a letter from the supporting agency must be included in the supporting documents on the application.
     

  8. In special circumstances, the Foundation may make grants in the form of a pledge or challenge grant that will be valid up to a year.
     

  9. Grants will not be considered for endowments, private foundations, sectarian purposes, individuals or animal welfare.
     

  10. In general, the Foundation does not make grants to religious organizations. 
     

  11. Funding commitments are made on a year-to-year basis, with the amount of any grant based on need and funds available. Except as approved by the Board, the maximum grant is $50,000.
     

If you are a new agency applying to the John’s Island Foundation for the first time or an agency that hasn’t been funded for the past three years or longer, you will need to be registered in our system. Please contact Nate Bruckner our Grant Technology Administrator at Nate.bruckner@unitedwayirc.org or 772-567-8900.

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