The Yellow Springs Community Foundation (YSCF) accepts grant proposals for both the Community Foundation and the Yellow Springs Endowment for Education (YSEE). In both cases, applications will be considered in the month following their submission.

YSCF Applications:

We are always available to discuss your project and our grant proposal process with you. If this is a new and perhaps uncertain process for you, we encourage you to call the chairperson or a member of our Grants Review Committee to informally discuss the matter. This often results in a clearer, potentially more successful grant application. The trustee who currently chairs our Grants Review Committee is Jane Scott. Her phone number is 767-7113; e-mail her .

Information can also be obtained by contacting the YSCF administrator, Virgil Hervey, at 767-2655 or at the YSCF email address .

We have no formal grant application form; however, you should download the PDF at right or here as a cover sheet for your request. The request itself may be in the form of a letter that should contain the following information:

1. Name, address, telephone number and an email address of the person/organization requesting the grant. Also include the name(s) of key organization officers, directors, trustees, and the name of the project leader(s).

2. Due to reporting requirements of the federal government, include the federal tax identification number of the requesting organization.

3. Where applicable, a brief history and background of your organization, including its purpose and objectives.

4. The organization to whom the check for the grant would be payable, including complete address. Also include a current copy of that organization's 501(c) 3 tax status designation letter, if one exists. This is an IRS letter of determination that legally establishes the organization as not for profit. If the organization requesting the grant does not have 501(c)3 tax status, then we will need instead the name and address of an organization that does have 501(c)3 status and is willing to accept our Foundation grant moneys on behalf of the requesting organization.

1. Name and description of the project. Include the estimated start and end dates for the project and the estimated number of people who will be working on it. This description should indicate what Yellow Springs Village or Miami Township group(s) this project will assist and how it will assist them; or whose well-being in the Village and/or the Township will be improved by this project, and how. Projects that are near completion are less likely to be funded than those open to our collaborative process.

2. The total dollar amount of requested funds and the estimated timing of when these funds will be needed.

3. The budget for the entire project, listed by major categories of revenues and expenditures. This should indicate where all financing for this project will come from, including the grant being requested from the YSCF.

4. For on-going organizations, a copy of your most recent year's (calendar year or fiscal year) revenues and expenses and balance sheet (if available). If a balance sheet is not available, a statement of funds in various bank accounts will suffice.

When you are ready to submit your application, you may submit nine paper copies to the address below or an electronic copy to the email address below. Do not hand-deliver your proposal to the president or another trustee. This can delay a prompt response.

Yellow Springs Community Foundation
ATTN: Grants Review Committee
PO Box 55
Yellow Springs, OH 45387

Or email to info@yscf.org
ATTN: Grants Review Committee

Grant Application Checklist

Here is a helpful grant application checklist:

1. Read the Guidelines carefully.
2. Complete the Cover Sheet .
3. Text describing project and how it will benefit Yellow Springs/Miami Township.
4. Budget listed by major categories and list of all sources of funding and amounts.
5. If applicable, a list of your Board of Directors/Trustees, Officers.
6. Current copy of organization’s 501(c)(3) tax status designation letter or letter of agreement from a fiduciary agent and a copy of their 501(c)(3) tax designation letter.
7. For on-going organizations a copy of the most recent year’s revenues & expenses balance sheet or statement of funds in various bank accounts.
8. REMEMBER grants are considered in the month FOLLOWING submission.

(EXAMPLE:  If a request is submitted in January, it will be considered in February and if funded, funds will be released the last of February or first of March.)

YSEE Applications:

Yellow Springs Endowment for Education (YSEE) Field of Interest Fund of the Yellow Springs Community Foundation is a non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide funding for educational programs, extracurricular activities, and projects that encourage excellence, creativity, and diversity in education for students of the Yellow Springs Exempted Village Schools.  These programs and projects enhance the curriculum standards set forth by the Ohio Department of Education.

Funding for these grants comes from tax-exempt contributions to the YSEE Field of Interest Fund of the Yellow Springs Community Foundation by community members, school alumni, civic organizations and businesses.

Grant Application Information:  Grant application packets are available here or by contacting Yellow Springs Community Foundation,  P.O. Box 55, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387. Faculty, staff and students of the Yellow Springs Exempted Village Schools are eligible to submit grant applications. Other individuals may submit applications in collaboration with current faculty, staff or students.  However, a faculty or staff member must be the lead applicant.  Other individuals may submit applications in collaboration with current faculty or staff. Additional members of the project team must be listed on the Applicant Identification portion of the form. 

Prior to submission to the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, applications must be reviewed and endorsed by the Superintendent to assure compliance with school policy and philosophy.  Additionally, review and endorsement by the Board of Education is required for grants of $1000 or more. Two letters of support may be included to address how this project would benefit educational needs within the public schools. Funding requests for individual educational opportunities and associated expenses will not be considered. In general, previously funded projects will not be subsequently considered.       

Application Review Process:  All applications are reviewed by the YSEE Advisory Committee which makes recommendations to the Yellow Springs Community Foundation trustees, who make the final decisions. Upon approval, the applicant is contacted and funds are sent to the Treasurer of the YS Schools. Prior to the release of monies, the School Board and Auditor must approve the expenditures.  Due to this process, it is recommended that applications be received 90 days or more prior to the onset of the project to allow for the necessary application and fiduciary responsibilities.

Final Report: A final report form will be provided with the grant award letter.  This form must be completed and returned to the Yellow Springs Community Foundation,  P.O. Box 55, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387, within 30 days of the end of the project.

Grant Application Submission:  Submit your completed application electronically to yscf@yscf.org or mail to Yellow Springs Community Foundation,  P.O. Box 55, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387.

For Grant Application Assistance: Contact Lauren Miller, YSEE Advisory Committee Co-Chair, at 767-2072, with grant and application questions.

Unlike YSCF grants, there is a form for Yellow Springs Endowment for Education grant applications. You can download a copy of the procedures and application form here or in the sidebar.