About Community Grants

Grantmaking is one way the Harrisburg Community Foundation (HCF) makes a difference in our community. HCF provides several funding opportunities that support organizations and individuals (through organizations) that work to enhance the quality of life in the Harrisburg, South Dakota, area.

The competitive grant review process seeks to identify projects and programs with the greatest potential to further benefit the region through areas such as arts and culture, education, environmental, health and human services, and public/social benefit as well as others.

Harrisburg Community Foundation Grant Criteria

There are countless promising projects happening in and around the Harrisburg, South Dakota, community area. As we make funding decisions, we will use the criteria below to see what proposals best fit our strategy and mission.

Community Program Fit

Does the project use inclusive, collaborative, and resourceful processes to pursue an innovative solution to a community challenge?

Inclusive. Does the project meaningfully engage key stakeholders? Does it thoughtfully identify those needed to create the intended change and, whenever possible, include those directly affected by the problem?

Collaborative. Is the project a true joint effort, with partners willing to share ownership and decision-making as they pursue an innovation together?

Resourceful. Does the project use existing resources and assets creatively to make the most of what a community already has?

Innovative. Is the process likely to lead to a community innovation? Will it serve as a breakthrough in addressing a community need? Will it be more effective, equitable, or sustainable than existing approaches?

Implementation Plans

Is the project plan thoughtful and realistic? Does it address the identified community need?

Does the applicant have the capacity to execute the work effectively or have a plan to meet the needed capacity?

Potential Impact of the Project

Will the project likely make a significant, sustainable difference, now or in the future?

Will the project inspire or inform others?

Eligibility Requirements

An organization must meet the following minimum requirements for a Community Grant:

Grants must be used for a charitable purpose.

We accept applications from fiscal sponsors. The fiscal sponsor organization must be the organization applying for and submitting the grant application. Upon approval, the fiscal sponsor would become the grantee and receive the requested grant funds.

Subject to the current version of GRANTMAKING GUIDELINES.

Grants must be used for projects located in the Harrisburg, South Dakota, area.

We will favor/prioritize proposals with project budget sizes that are of appropriate scale.