Grant Distribution

Click here to download Grant Proposal Information and Application

Foundation Mission

The Enid Community Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic organization that serves the charitable needs of Enid and surrounding communities through the development and administration of endowment funds with the goal of preserving capital and enhancing its value to benefit the Enid community.

Grant Guidelines

The Community Foundation welcomes proposals from any non-profit organization in Enid and Northwest Oklahoma with an IRS tax exempt status. The Foundation will consider funding for special projects, innovative programs, and equipment. Most grants are in the $1,000 to $10,000 range. Larger grants could be made on occasion.

The chances of your agency's proposal being funded are substantially increased if the project:

• Proposes practical solutions to community problems.
• Promotes volunteer participation and citizen involvement in the community.
• Could not be accomplished with other sources of support.
• Is responsive to changing or emerging community needs.
• Leverages or generates other funding or resources.
• Exhibits likelihood of future funding.
• Promotes cooperation among non-profit agencies without duplicating efforts.
• Addresses prevention as well as assistance for a problem.

Grant Restrictions

As a rule, the Community Foundation does not make grants for:

• Operating or maintenance expenses.
• Medical or scholarly research.
• Membership fees.
• Ticket sales for charitable fundraising events.
• Sectarian religious purposes.
• Travel for groups, such as school classes, clubs, or sports teams.
• Capital debt reductions.
• Individuals.
• Political projects.

Application Guideline

The Enid Community Foundation awards grants from unrestricted endowments one time a year. Grants are usually made for one year at a time. After receiving a Foundation grant, we prefer that an agency not participate with the same project request in the immediately following grant cycle. Letters of Intent and Grant Proposals must be received at the Community Foundation office no later than noon on the deadline date:

For current year consideration Letter of Intent must be received by July 31.

Grant Proposals Due by September 1.

Letter of Intent

Before a Grant Proposal is requested by the Foundation, a Letter of Intent must be submitted. The Letter of Intent should be no more than two pages (single-spaced) and should include the following:

1. An introduction to your organization's mission and how your current programs support your mission.
2. A brief outline of the need or problems to be addressed by the proposed grant.
3. The purpose of the grant.
4. The amount of the grant requested as well as the total cost.
5. A simplified project budget, if applicable.
6. The IRS Letter of Determination. [Are you designated as an IRS 501 (c)(3) or affiliated with a tax-exempt organization or governmental unit?]
7. List of Board of Directors

Letters of Intent should be addressed to the Grant Distribution Committee, P.O. Box 263, Enid, Oklahoma 73702. Please mail or hand-deliver (12) copies of the Letter of Intent to the Foundation.

Within six weeks, the Grant Distribution Committee will review Letters of Intent and determine which organizations will be requested to submit a grant proposal. Organizations will be notified by letter as to the status of their request.

Funds Management

Local qualified trust departments of financial institutions that are supportive of the community and approved by the Board of Directors manage the funds. However, if you make a gift of $100,000 or more you may request a financial manager of your choice.

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