Who Decides Where Grants Go?

If you've ever attended one of our grant reception celebrations, you've probably seen the smiles, the oversized checks, and the excitement of a project becoming reality.

What you don't see is what happened months before.

Many people assume grant decisions are made by one person sitting behind a desk. In reality, every grant awarded by the Community Foundation begins with a room full of dedicated volunteers.

These are your neighbors. Local business leaders. Educators. Retirees. Community members. People who care deeply about White County and are willing to devote their time to thoughtfully considering how charitable dollars can make the greatest impact.

It's a responsibility they don't take lightly.

Each grant cycle begins with organizations submitting detailed applications describing their project, the community need they're addressing, their budget, and the impact they hope to achieve. Foundation staff review each application to ensure it meets the program's guidelines before it reaches the committee.

Then the real work begins.

Committee members spend hours reading applications before they ever gather around the table. When they meet, they discuss every proposal individually—asking questions, weighing strengths, considering long-term impact, and sharing perspectives based on their own experiences and knowledge of the community.

One of the questions we often hear is, "Why wasn't this great project funded?"

The truth is, many deserving projects aren't.

Most grant cycles receive far more requests than funding available. In some cases, committees may review hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars in requests while only having a fraction of that amount available to award. That means committee members are often choosing between excellent projects, not simply deciding which ones are "good enough."

Those conversations can be challenging.

Committee members consider many factors throughout the process. They look at how a project addresses a community need, whether it creates meaningful and lasting impact, how well the organization is prepared to carry it out, and whether it builds upon existing community efforts or creates new opportunities for collaboration.

Those discussions are informed by more than what's written in an application.

Throughout the year, the Community Foundation listens. We gather local data, convene conversations around emerging issues, meet with nonprofit partners, schools, businesses, local government, and residents, and look for trends shaping the future of White County. Those leadership efforts don't determine which projects receive funding, nor do they limit the kinds of projects we support. Instead, they provide valuable context, helping committees better understand the evolving needs, opportunities, and priorities within our community as they thoughtfully evaluate each application.

Committee members bring both their heads and their hearts to the table. They are inspired by bold ideas and compelling stories, but they also ask practical questions about feasibility, partnerships, stewardship, and long-term impact. Great grantmaking requires both compassion and careful consideration.

Just as importantly, committee members recognize when they have a personal connection to an application. Any potential conflicts of interest are disclosed, and members recuse themselves from discussion or voting when appropriate to ensure the process remains fair, transparent, and impartial.

Once committee recommendations are finalized, they are presented to the Community Foundation's Governing Council for approval, followed by the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette. As an affiliate foundation, this additional level of review helps ensure strong governance, accountability, and responsible stewardship of charitable funds before grants are officially awarded.

Behind every grant is a process built on careful stewardship, thoughtful discussion, and a shared commitment to serving White County.

Because every grant represents something bigger than a check.

It represents a donor's generosity.

It represents a nonprofit's vision.

And it represents a community placing its trust in local people to make wise decisions that will strengthen White County for years to come.