Behind the Scenes of Grantmaking

Each year, your Community Foundation works behind the scenes to turn charitable gifts into meaningful support for our community. While grant awards are often the most visible part of that work, community grantmaking is a thoughtful process shaped by listening, collaboration, and careful decision-making.

Foundation staff and volunteers spend time paying attention to what is happening across White County. This includes conversations with nonprofit leaders, reviewing local data, and learning where needs are emerging or growing. These insights help guide grantmaking so community dollars can respond to a wide range of needs, from immediate challenges to long-term opportunities.

When organizations apply for community grants, Foundation staff are available to walk alongside them as ideas take shape. Whether answering questions or helping applicants think through their approach, the Foundation’s role is both supportive and collaborative. The goal is not simply to fund projects, but to help strengthen the work happening throughout the community.

Grant applications are then reviewed by dedicated volunteers and board members who care deeply about White County. With limited funds and many worthy requests, decisions can be difficult. Each proposal is considered carefully, with attention to community need, potential impact, and the lasting benefit of the investment.

Last year alone, more than $215,000 in community grants were awarded to support a wide range of efforts across the county. These grants helped address needs such as mental wellness support, youth programs, accessibility improvements, and essential services for local families, among many others.

Once grants are awarded, organizations put funds to work in the community and later report back on outcomes. This accountability helps the Foundation learn, adapt, and continue strengthening future grantmaking.

At its core, community grantmaking is about stewardship. It reflects the trust placed in the Foundation by donors and the shared belief that thoughtful investments today can help build a stronger, more resilient community for years to come.