ARPA Grants

The Decatur County Council has partnered with the Decatur County Community Foundation to administer funding given to our county by the federal government. The purpose of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is to deliver direct relief to Americans affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Details

The Council has budgeted a total of $550,000 for grants. These funds will be distributed among nonprofit organizations, volunteer fire departments, and small businesses in Decatur County. Any organization in one of these three categories that has experienced financial hardship in the past 18 months because of the Covid-19 pandemic is welcome to apply.

Interested parties may apply between August 23 and September 13. Funding decisions will be made later this year by a four-person committee, including Councilwoman Deanna Burkart, Councilman Kenny Hooten, Councilwoman Melanie Nobbe, and County Commissioner Chuck Emsweller. Once awarded funding, recipients will sign a grant agreement and be expected to provide sufficient proof that the funds were used as intended.

The Community Foundation is working closely with the Council to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. All grant applications and follow-up assignments will be handled by the Community Foundation.

Deanna Burkart is the Council’s primary point of contact concerning the distribution of ARPA funds. For grant application-related questions, please contact Alex Sefton at the Community Foundation at 812.662.6364.

ARPA Grantwriting Workshops

The Foundation will also be hosting ARPA Grantwriting Workshops for any nonprofit, volunteer fire department, or small business interested in applying. In these workshops, Alex will walk applicants through the online application process. Workshops will be hosted on August 26, September 2, and September 9 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Foundation office (101 E. Main St., Greensburg).

Apply for a Grant

What is a Community Foundation?

A Foundation pools all of its charitable gifts into one investment pot and uses the earnings for the betterment of the community. The money earned off that investment is distributed as grants to not-for-profits.
How are my funds protected?

We utilize a team of investment research advisors to determine an overall game plan and ideal targets for our investments. We utilize several skilled financial advisors to put that game plan into action.
What is an endowed fund?

With a minimum dollar amount, donors establish an endowment. An endowed fund is a gift that is invested. Each year a portion of the investment earnings is used to make grants to non-profits. These grants may be donor-advised, or they may be available to the community at-large through the “Community Fund”. The principal of the gift is never touched.
What are the types of endowed funds?

Donors who wish to start a fund have several options: a. Designated Fund – When a donor pre-determines a specific organization to automatically support year after year, this a designated fund. b. Donor-Advised Fund – If a donor wants the ability to choose the organization being supported from year to year, this is a donor-advised fund. Annually the fund owner evaluates and chooses what organizations they want to support, based on what’s happening at the time. c. Scholarship Fund – helps support the continuing education of students based on specific criteria that the fund holder outlines. d. Field of Interest Funds – rather than supporting specific organizations, these funds support general causes. For example, rather than specifically supporting Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a Youth Field of Interest would support any organization that assists in youth development. e. Community Fund – this fund helps general community projects, often through an application process. 501c(3) organizations come up with an idea and apply for the funding to carry out the project.
How are funds dispersed?

Community Fund dollars are dispersed through a grant process. 501(c)3 non-profits with a project can apply for funding at various times of the year. Applications are reviewed by a committee that recommends action, which in turn goes before the board for a full vote.