Frequently Asked Questions

The individual must be part of a larger organization or group in order to apply for the grant. This grant is designed to encourage and motivate collaboration across a broad range of users to make an impact in the Saginaw County community.

Community groups, neighborhoods, businesses and youth groups are eligible to apply without a 501(c)(3) if Saginaw Community Foundation, another nonprofit, a local unit of government, or a religious institution is used as the fiscal sponsor. If interested in utilizing the Saginaw Community Foundation as the project’s fiscal sponsor, contact the foundation at (989) 755-0545 or email Reneé Johnston at renee@saginawfoundation.org.

Contacting Saginaw Community Foundation to receive a grant number is a required part of the grant application process. It enables us to collect general details, including the organization name, project information and amount of funds sought. It also provides the opportunity for us to clarify any questions that may come up during the application process. At this time, Saginaw Community Foundation can also provide direction regarding other grants that may be available and provide information on current funding trends in the region. Lastly, Saginaw Community Foundation can connect you to other organizations that offer complementary or similar programs and projects to help leverage dollars.

The application is only available in draft format on the website. When assigned a grant application number, you will be emailed an editable grant application in Microsoft Word format. It is highly encouraged to begin developing your program narrative for your application as soon as possible.

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If the organization/project does not have a website, please type in “n/a.” If the organization/project uses Facebook in place of a website, feel free to enter the Facebook page address. If the organization/project does not have a Facebook page, please type “n/a”.

Total project cost should reflect all costs related to the project in which you are seeking funding. For example, if the XYZ nonprofit wants to build a playground on an empty city lot, the total project cost for the playground would include the swing set and slide, as well as costs incurred for surveying the area, leveling the ground, insurance, etc.

Direct recipients are the individuals who will be hands-on with the program/project and will utilize it the most. Indirect recipients are the individuals who have access to the program/project, may utilize it, and/or be impacted by its existence.

The Executive Summary is a brief overview of the project. This summary should be no longer than a paragraph in length and should answer the following questions:

• What is the project?
• Why is it necessary?
• Who is coordinating the efforts?
• Where is the project located?
• Who will the project impact?
• What impact will the project have on the community?

The program narrative portion of the application is where in-depth detail will be provided.

The primary signature should be the board chair, CEO or project leader. The secondary signature should be from someone who is active in the project in some capacity, whether by organizing the project, financially backing the project or is involved in the project’s planning efforts.

Dedicating funds from your organization demonstrates to the grant review committee your commitment to the project. Revenues for the project can include fundraisers and campaigns.

Under Revenues for Project, write in the requested amount and add Pending in the status. When notified of any funding changes, contact Brian Jackson to update your application at (989) 755-0545 or email brian@saginawfoundation.org. 

It is encouraged to have supporting documentation of the project expenses, such as quotes from a company or independent online research. If you use any documentation from the Web, print the documentation and include with your application as supporting information. The foundation understands that amounts may fluctuate, but an up-to-date figure will help the grant review committee better evaluate your application.

Supporting documents may include project expenses (bids, quotes, research, etc.), letters of support for the project (no more than five will be permitted), map of project location or region affected, photos, etc.