Miami County Grant Committee

Thank you for becoming a committee member with the Community Foundation. We hope to provide you with meeting information, applications, scoresheets, and committee basics. If you have additional questions, please contact Corinne Becknell Lucas via email at corinne@nicf.org, 574.223.2227 (Rochester office), 574.835.4101 (cell phone), 877.432.6423 (toll free).

Miami County Community Foundation Grant Meetings and Agendas

Community Support Grant Applications Received for Review
Advocacy Links – Program costs. Get the application $5,000
Beyond Able Training Center/PQC Trains – POS for Rise and Shine Warrior Cafe. Get the application $3,150
Denver Saddle Club – Fending. Get the application $10,476
The Honeywell Foundation – Arts in Education. Get the application $2,000
Church of the Nazarene – Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Get the application $2,931
MC Helping Hands – Project Brighter Tomorrow 2023. Get the application $10,000
Peru Elks Lodge #365 – Peru Elks Annual Cancer Auction. Get the application $750
WarriorTech Robotics – WarriorTech Robotics First Tech Challenge Team. Get the application
$5,215

2022 Grant Applications Approved

Cole Porter Festival – Ticket taking equipment. Final Report $2,400
Multi-year Impact grant St. Vincent de Paul – Year 4 of 5 $3k for 5 years. $15,000 $3,000
Multi-year Impact grant for MC YMCA – Year 4 of 5 $20k for 5 years. $100,000 $20,000
NICF – Preschool program $15,000
Macy Fire Dept. – New building $10,000
Food Finders – mobile pantries $6,000
Nickel Plate Trail, Inc.- Trail expansion $7,000
Popup Grants $10,000
LECS Scholarships $3,000
Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry – Meat the Need $2,500
Miami County 4H Horse & Pony Club – Horse stall updates $5,000
Miami County Artisan Gallery – Peru Visual Arts Festival 2022 $3,000
McGrawsville Community Church – Buddy Bags for Maconaquah School $2,500
Bunker Hill UMC – Mission House handicap ramp. Final Report $2,800
North Miami School Corp.- Little Warriors preschool curriculum $3,368
Intrepid Phoenix- Recovery program $1,950
Feed My Sheep/First Christian Church – Free meal program. $5,000
Ole Olsen Memorial Theater – Stage lights. $1,782

2021 Grant Applications Approved

Multi-year Impact grant St. Vincent de Paul – Year 3 of 5 $3k for 5 years. $15,000 Final Report $3,000
Multi-year Impact grant for MC YMCA – Year 3 of 5 $20k for 5 years. $100,000 Final Report $20,000
NICF – Preschool program Final Report $10,500
United Way of MC – Childcare block grant support. No Final report assigned $5,000
Circus City Festival – Computer Hardware/Software upgrades. Final Report $6,736
Circus Hall of Fame – Electronic displays. Final Report $2,000
North Miami School Corp – Strengthening Families. Final Report  $5,500
Peru Public Library – Story Walk. Final Report $3,000
ReDiscover Downtown Peru – Women’s Suffrage statue of Marie Stuart Edwards. Final Report $3,000
Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House – Program support. Final Report $1,500
Distinguished Young Women of Miami County – Program expenses Final Report $500
Bridges to Health – Capacity building $3,000
Area Five Agency- Guardianship program $5,000
Miami County Cemetery Board- GPR for locating grave markers Final Report $3,850
Nickel Plate Trail, Inc.- Mac Trail land acquisition ($10,000) Due April 2023 $3,000

Grant Committee Information

What is the NICF? Community foundations are tax-exempt public charities serving local people who share a common concern – improving the quality of life in their area. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds and the foundation invests and administers those funds.

The Northern Indiana Community Foundation, Inc. (NICF), is a comprised of Fulton, Miami and Starke County Community Foundations who share costs and pool funds into a single cost-effective foundation.

The NICF is directed by a volunteer board consisting of five members from each of the three counties which provides consistent effective management of the endowments. Each county has its own volunteer local board. The executive director and staff are paid positions.

The Role of a Committee Member. Committee members ensure that the original intent of the fund is followed. Members are stewards of the fund, its purpose, and updates us on concerns and issues that arise in the community. We encourage members to share the public’s questions and comments about the granting process and welcome input on community issues.

Grant Committee Information. The Foundation awards grants from Community Funds (unrestricted funds) and field of interest funds. Community funds place no restrictions on how they may be used, and depends on committee recommendations to meet the community’s most pressing needs. Funds such as the Starke United Fund, are comprised of a named committee that follows the charitable purpose set out in the fund. Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3), tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, or projects that are charitable in nature.

How often do we meet and do I need to come to every meeting? Grant committees meet quarterly and typically last 1 hour depending on the number of applications received. the meeting may last longer is a visit to a grantee is planned.

What if I am involved with an organization that is requesting a grant? Members complete a “Conflict of Interest” form. If you have a conflict you will refrain from participating in the discussions of that particular application and will not vote on that application. If you have a leadership position with an organization requesting funds, you need to inform the committee chair in advance of the meeting.

How many applications will I review and how do we make the selections? We have no deadlines on the majority of our applications. We typically meet on a quarterly basis, but could meet between those times to help an applicant this is under a time restraint. Below you will find the applications which are posted as they are received at the NICF office. Also posted are grant review sheets that will help you in evaluating the applications your review process.