2025 - YCF Community Grant Cycle

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In response to recent uncertainties and the loss of federal grant funding, YCF is offering a special opportunity during our annual Community Grant Cycle: nonprofits can now apply for seed funding to start an endowment with YCF!

Endowments help build long-term sustainability and provide a steady, annual stream of revenue. Plus, once established, endowments are eligible to participate in our annual Match Month fundraiser—helping nonprofit's donor dollars go even further. Last year, Match Month raised $167,000 for local endowment funds!

To make it easier to get started, we’ll waive our usual fee for participating endowment funds until they reach the $10,000 minimum balance—and we’ll give you three years to meet that goal. If selected as one of three endowment recipients, YCF will contribute $1,000 to kickstart your fund, with no initial investment required.

Grant requests should range between $500 and $5,000. The priority areas are projects addressing Affordable Housing/Homelessness, Childcare & Early Development, and Food Security. We will still accept grant applications in all areas.

Who is Eligible to Apply:

• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) statuS
• Units of local government
• Educational institutions
• Faith-based organizations providing non-religious, community-serving programs (e.g., food pantries, childcare, shelters)
• Organizations with a fiscal sponsor that holds 501(c)(3) status
• Programs and projects that primarily serve residents within Allen County.

All grant recipients must follow our publicity guidelines if they wish to receive future funding.