YMCA, photo by Marcus Snowden

December 1, 2009

2009 Special Project Challenge Grants Help Agencies Serve Influx of New Clients

During difficult economic times, demand for social services increases exponentially as people find themselves without jobs, without resources, and without a support network. You’d think that would mean that applications for grants that benefit social service programs would go through the roof as well. But in the spring of 2009, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County did not receive as many applications for its Special Projects challenge grants as staff members had anticipated.

That surprised Christopher Nanni, the Foundation’s Vice President, Program.

“Because of what was happening with the economic crisis, we thought we’d be overwhelmed with grant applications in the spring,” says Nanni. “But we weren’t.”

In order to understand this better, Community Foundation staff held focus groups with leaders of local nonprofit social service agencies. Through these focus groups, the Foundation learned that local agencies were facing record numbers of clients who represented a whole new population—people who had never needed any kind of assistance in the past, but, because of job loss, were now turning to them for support. Special Project grants typically support program expansions or the creation of new programs. However, because of the tremendous increase in the number of clients who needed services, local agencies weren't looking to expand or create programs. They needed support for existing programs.

In response, the Community Foundation temporarily amended its guidelines for Special Project grants. Now, nonprofit organizations can request funding to support existing programs that already have a strong track record of providing social services in our community. That made a major difference in the number of applications received for the fall 2009 grant cycle, which concluded on November 17.

“We saw double the applications we normally see,” Nanni said. “It made for a much more competitive process.”

The Community Foundation awarded a total of $261,500 in challenge grants to sixteen programs from organizations that include Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.; YWCA of St. Joseph County, Inc.; American Red Cross–St. Joseph County Chapter; Hannah’s House; Hope Ministries; YMCA of Michiana, and eight others. The total dollar amount awarded was higher than usual: Because of the decrease in applications for the spring 2009 grant cycle, the Community Foundation moved $50,000 from that cycle into the fall grants budget.

The amended guidelines will be in place for the next two years. At that point, Nanni says, the Community Foundation will evaluate the change.

For now, it’s clear that it’s making a difference for local social service agencies and the members of our community whom they serve.