Emergency Grants
Emergency grants are intended for sudden, unanticipated and unavoidable challenges that, if not addressed immediately, could threaten an organization’s stability and/or ability to achieve its mission.
Who May Apply
Nonprofit organizations serving Elkhart County.
The Basics
- $250 to $25,000
- 48-hour review
- Submit your request online
- Check will be processed within two weeks and as early as within 72 hours of application
Eligible Requests
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Natural/accidental disasters (fire, flood, etc.)
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Theft or damage to equipment required to operate core programs
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An accidental or unexpected occurrence that causes facilities to be inaccessible or programs unable to be operated until resolved.
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Unexpected failure or immediate impending failure of equipment that could threaten an organization’s ability to provide programming or services
Ineligible requests
- Replacing a gradual loss of funding/declining donation income
- Providing interim funding while waiting for government reimbursement
- Starting up new programs
- Church buildings and grounds (exceptions may be given for public services)
- Food requests
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Problems resulting from an organization’s failure to adequately plan, such as:
- Waiting until a lease expires before trying to locate alternate space
- Relying on a small number of donors for support without having developed a plan to sustain programming
- Failure to pay taxes
- Operating financial deficits over multiple years
- Failure to anticipate construction contingency costs
- Failure to plan for maintenance costs and or replacement costs of existing equipment
Who reviews and makes decisions on emergency grants?
Emergency grant requests are first reviewed by a program officer. If a program officer sees a need for further clarification of the request, you may be contacted for additional information. All requests are given equal and fair consideration and are not a guarantee of funding. Decisions are made by program staff with support as needed by committee chairpersons.
