Grantmaking FAQs

For complete details on competitive grants offered through Knox County Foundation, please review the Guidelines for Grantmaking.

What are the qualifications to apply?

Grants are made to tax-exempt private agencies classified as 501(c)(3) organizations, and to public charities as defined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Public schools, governmental entities and Knox County colleges and universities are also eligible to apply for Foundation grants. Prospective applicants are urged to contact the Foundation before preparing an application if there is a question concerning eligibility, as proof of eligibility must be verified by the Foundation before grants are considered.

What types of projects/programs does the Foundation fund?

The Foundation has a list of priority areas when determining funding for grant requests. These include:
• A pilot project which can serve as a model of excellence in the community
• A project which proposes a creative solution to an identified, but unmet need, in the community
• A project or program which encourages volunteer involvement
• A project that is a collaborative effort among nonprofit organizations in the community and will eliminate duplication of services
• A project which is likely to make a clear difference in the quality of life for a substantial number of people
• A project which promotes economic vitality in the community.

Are there projects the Foundation will not fund?

Certain projects and organizations are generally not eligible for funding, including but not limited to:
• Grants to individuals or projects where facilities or equipment of non-qualifying entities are improved or benefited
• Routine operating or payroll expenses*
• Projects/Programs that are restricted to members of a particular faith community or promote a specific religious doctrine
• Purchase of computers, unless proven to be used solely for the project/program
• Paying off existing obligations, debts or liabilities
• Travel (when it is the proposal’s primary focus)
• Projects which have been completed prior to allocations decisions
• Organizations that do not operate programs in Knox County, or for the benefit of Knox County residents
• Political campaigns
• Capital improvements to privately held property, including property held by a religious organization
• Community services that taxpayers support or are expected to support

*The Foundation typically does not provide funding for routine operating or payroll expenses. However, in limited circumstances, requests may be considered that include operating costs when they are directly tied to strategic growth or the expansion of services that align with the Foundation’s funding priorities. These exceptions are rare and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Organizations seeking support for operating expenses must clearly demonstrate how the funding will:

• • Enable the launch or expansion of a critical program or service,
  • Address a documented community need,
  • And/or strengthen the organization’s capacity to deliver measurable impact.

What are the deadlines to apply?

To expedite consideration of Small Grant and Summer Youth Enrichment Grant requests, and to provide adequate time for the review of Major Grant requests, three distinct applications procedures have been established by the Foundation:

Small Grant applications (up to $10,000) are invited 4 times a year and must be received by January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and October 15th, with the Expression of Intent due by the 15th of the month prior (see chart below). Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding earlier in the year as more of the funding pool will be available at that time.

Major Grant applications (more than $10,000) are invited twice each year and must be received by January 15th for February consideration or July 15th for August consideration, with the Expression of Intent due by the 15th of the month prior (see chart below). The Foundation encourages organizations applying for funding of $50,000 or more to do so in the February round, as the majority of its large grant pool will be available for distribution at that time.

Summer Youth Enrichment Grant applications are invited once each year and must be received by January 15th for February consideration. The purpose of the Summer Youth Enrichment Grant is to provide funding for nonprofit organizations to reduce financial barriers that prevent children and teenagers from participating in meanting summer and extracurricular programs. An Expression of Intent is not required for Summer Youth Enrichment Grants.

How do we apply?

Applicants will need to create an account on the Foundation’s Online Grant Portal. Once an account is created, applicants will have access to all grant applications available. Grant applications can be saved and returned to at a later date if needed, but must be submitted by the deadlines listed above.

For instructions and a variety of tutorials on using the Online Grant Portal, please click here.

How often can we apply?

There are no set parameters for the number of times an organization can apply, but we suggest organizations use discretion and only submit requests for highly prioritized projects. Funding is limited and the Foundation makes every attempt possible to fund a broad spectrum of needs throughout Knox County.

Can we meet before submitting an application?

Yes. Interested major grant applicants who intend to request a grant over $100,000 are encouraged to meet with the Program Director as soon as possible to provide applicants with an assessment of potential Foundation interest and support. As the Foundation runs a competitive grant program, large grant requests may need at least a year’s advance notice of intent to be eligible for funding over $100,000. Additionally, applicants not familiar with the grantmaking process or applicants with new projects/programs are welcome to schedule a meeting to answer any questions you might have.

How much money should we request?

For Small Grant applications, organizations should request the amount actually needed to successfully complete the proposed project. For Major Grant applications, the Foundation prefers to support projects in which it is a funding partner, rather than the sole funding source. Applicants are strongly urged to include some degree of match funding in their proposals, and Foundation grants should be the final dollars committed to a project. An additional factor in considering an award is an organization’s demonstrated ability to sustain the project, if applicable, when Foundation funding has ended.

When will we be notified about the grant application?

Applications are reviewed and applicants are notified within six (6) weeks of each quarterly deadline.

Occasionally the Foundation’s Grants Committee or Board of Directors may request more information before making a final decision, which could delay the award notification.

What do we do after being awarded a grant?

Grantees must submit the Grant Acceptance Statement (located in the applicant’s dashboard within the Grant Portal) within 30 days of award notification. Except for multi-year grants, all funds must be requested for distribution within 180 days of notification and at the approximate time expenses will first be incurred.

Grantees are required to submit the Foundation’s Grant Follow-Up Report, also found in the applicant’s dashboard in the Grant Portal, at six-month intervals after funding is received or as soon as the funds are used, whichever is sooner. Failure to complete a Grant Follow-Up Report will result in ineligibility for future Foundation grants.

How can we get more information?

Before submitting a grant application, it is encouraged to read the Foundation’s Guidelines for Grantmaking. If you need more information or have specific questions as you complete the application, please contact Senior Program Director, Lisa Lloyd, at [email protected] or 740-392-3270.