General Grantmaking Program

The General Grantmaking Program grants are awarded from Unrestricted and Field of Interest Funds.  Grant recommendations are made by an eleven member Distribution Committee composed of AAACF Board of Trustees and community volunteers.

 Funding Criteria

 The Community Foundation strives to invest in programs and organizations that meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Have clearly stated outcomes, and strong and purposeful management 

2. Develop or test new solutions to community challenges
3. Are preventive or provide early and sustained intervention
4. Facilitate cooperation and collaboration among organizations
5. Avoid unnecessary duplication of services
6. Encourage volunteerism and promote civic and community involvement
7. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations
8. Match or leverage Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation funds

Funding Priorities

Projects focusing on education, human services, the environment, seniors, arts & culture, community development, or health and wellness are eligible for funding. 

• Areas in bold indicate the highest priority for funding.  In these areas, larger grants and multi-year funding will be considered. 

• The first four funding priorities are aligned with the Human Services Collaborative Council’s Improving Outcomes for Our Community’s Well Being

1. Intellectual & Social Development

   1. Increase the number of children living in homes supportive of optimal cognitive development

   2. Increase the number of youth completing high school

   3. Increase the number of children who have access to high quality early care and education

   4. Increase participation/completion of lifelong learning for adults

2. Economic Well-Being

   1. Increase the number of households in safe, permanent homes

   2. Decrease the number of adults living in poverty

   3. Improve access to transportation for transit dependent populations

3. Health

   1. Increase the number of adults with access to health care including mental health and substance abuse services

   2. Increase the number of healthy births and babies

   3. Increase the number of youth engaging in healthy lifestyles

      1. Reduce adolescent obesity

   4. Increase the number of adults engaging in healthy lifestyles

   5. Increase the wellness and health of older adults

4. Safety

   1. Decrease the need for incarceration through accessible mental health and substance abuse programs

   2. Decrease alienation and rebelliousness in youth

   3. Increase the number of youth that are safe from intentional injury in their homes and communities

   4. Increase the independence of older adults

      1. Decrease unmet needs for older adults

5. Arts & Culture

   1. Increase participation in arts and cultural activities especially for new and underserved audiences

   2. Increase use of the arts to address issues in other priority areas

6. Environment

   1. Increase citizen awareness of and involvement in reduction of pollution and waste

   2. Increase conservation and restoration of natural areas, habitats and green spaces

   3. Increase environmental awareness through education and interaction with local environments

   4. Support the protection of wildlife

7. Nonprofit Management Capacity (grants of $2,000 - $5,000 for one year only) Highest priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a management capacity grant.

   1. Improve the ability of nonprofit organizations to further their mission over time.

   2. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations

What is Not Funded

General Grantmaking Programs do not typically award grants for:

• construction projects (new building or routine maintenance)

• annual giving campaigns

• normal operating expenses (except for start-up purposes)

• fundraising events

• religious or sectarian purposes

• computer hardware equipment

• individuals

• partisan political purposes

• loans

• re-granting

For the application process and deadlines, click here.

Examples of Past Grants