COMMUNITY GRANTS ELIGIBILITY, CRITERIA & INSTRUCTIONS

Hilliard Community Grants improve the quality of life for our residents, corporate citizens, and visitors. These funds are invested back into the community through designated activities and events that enhance and directly benefit the City of Hilliard and its residents. Please note this is a competitive application process and submission of an application does not guarantee funding.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an IRS registered tax-exempt not-for-profit (501c3) (include letter of IRS accreditation as part of application) based in the City of Hilliard
• Must be located in, and serve, the Hilliard community.
• Applicant must submit all paperwork required as part of the application process.
• All applications must be completed in full and submitted by the advertised deadline.

Even if the above requirements are met, the following are not eligible to receive funding:

• Individuals
• Organizations desiring funding to travel outside, or projects outside, of Hilliard
• Organizations that are for-profit
• Organizations with budget deficits incurred prior to application
• Endowment Funds
• Fiscally sponsored organizations or projects

Grant Criteria – applications must meet one or more of these goals:

• Activities and/or events that appeal to a broad segment of Hilliard residents.
• Enhances Hilliard’s image or increases media coverage (local/regional/national).
• Activities or events that add to Hilliard’s quality of life, vibrancy, character and resident involvement.
• Services that help the residents of Hilliard.

Funding Request

• City Council has the authority to fully fund, partially fund or not to fund any given request.
• City Council may also limit the number of years any particular non-profit can apply to receive funds.
• Repeat applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a plan for financial stability not dependent on this grant program.

Reporting Requirements
A detailed list of expenses for which the grant funding was used is required and must be provided to the Director of Finance by January 31, of the following year along with pictures of grant sponsored events for use in promotional marketing for the City of Hilliard. Council or its designee reserves the right to request additional accounting documentation.

Ability to Suspend/Terminate Program
City Council reserves the right to suspend or terminate this grant program. The City would honor any formal funding commitments already made to community organizations as long as all requirements have been met, all necessary paperwork and forms have been completed, and organizations have properly submitted all necessary receipts and supporting documentation for review and approval.

Please make sure to attach the following documents to your Request for Funding Application

• A completed application for funding.
• Copy of invoices or accounting report of previous year’s grant award (if applicable)
• IRS Letter of Accreditation or other proof of official non-profit status
• Two years of financial statements, if applicable
• The City also requests a high resolution .png or .eps or .jpeg file of logo to be used for City promotional purposes.

In order to be considered for grant funding, all documentation must be received via the online application portal. Please return all information by August 31, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact Dee Werbrich, Clerk of Council, at CouncilClerk1@hilliardohio.gov.