The Ross Community Foundation - an affiliate of the Hamilton Community Foundation -  grant opportunities are made possible through generous donations from individuals and businesses in the Ross and local areas. The RCF board of trustees is made of up to seven volunteers from the Ross community to review and award grants based on the need, impact and merit.   
 
Amount of Awards: Grants range from $500 - $5,000   
 
Timeline:  Deadline for proposals –  April 15, 2024  
                  
Geographic Focus:  Nonprofit organizations serving the Ross Local School District communities - Ross Township, Morgan Township, Hanover Township, St. Clair Township, Fairfield Township, and Millville.     
 
Restrictions: RCF does not make grants to individuals. Recipients must be a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Service, a public entity, such as a city, school, church or state agency.  
   
RCF may ask you to attend a board meeting, conduct a site visit or telephone to get additional information.  A site visit by the Committee does not guarantee funding approval. This would be conducted in a group setting and the nonprofit will be notified prior to any visit. If a grant application clearly does not meet the criteria, the applicant will be notified immediately. 

RCF requires that organizations submit a completed Grant Outcome Evaluation Report for a grant previously awarded before a new grant application will be considered.

KEEP IN MIND: Grant applicants will be notified of acceptance or denial by a board member in person.  An official email will be sent to complete the grant process with further instructions to receive the funds. We will post a list of all grant recipients on the website. 

Apply for a grant from the Ross Community Foundation

How it works

A grant applicant creates an account in the Online Grants Application, and then logs on and starts a new grant application.  Your application can be saved as a draft, and when you log on again it's easy to return to that draft, make edits, and submit the application.  Each account maintains a record of the application history that you can access at any time.  

View our step by step guide to applying in this PowerPoint Presentation. 

Creating your online account

All applicants are required to create an account. We suggest creating your account well in advance of the grant deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.  At the time of registration, you are required to enter the following information:

• A username that is an email address
• Your contact information
• Your organization's information, including the EIN/Tax ID number (required)
• Contact information for the organization's Executive Director/CEO or other designee

 Helpful tips when applying

• For the best user experience when accessing our Online Grants Manager, we suggest using one of the following browsers: Google Chrome 14 or higher, Firefox 9 or higher, or Safari 4 or higher.  Do not use Internet Explorer. 
• Our grants must be paid to a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit or to a public entity, such as a city, public school or state agency.  All others will need to use a fiscal sponsor.  

All applications are due by 5:30pm on the date of the deadline.  You will not be able to submit your application after that time.

Ready to apply?

Click here to access the online grant application system to create your account.

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Braswell, Vice President.

Grants Awarded in 2023

The Ross Community Foundation recently completed its first Grant Award cycle! More than $28,000 was granted to support programs, services and initiatives in the Ross Community. We are proud to share how we utilized donor dollars right here at home! See our Cornerstone Grant Ad!

RLS Choral Uniforms

Students who participate in the Ross Choral program are required to purchase concert choir uniforms. For males this is a jacket, shirt, pants and tie. For females this is a dress and pearls. For many, this purchase can be a hardship, particularly if a student continues to grow throughout participation in the program and multiple outfits must be purchased. This grant will assist the program in purchasing a set of uniforms that can be utilized time and again by different students as necessary.

Grant amount: $2,500

Ross Middle School 

This grant supports the JUMP summer band camp.

Grant amount: $3,200

Harts for Hope

Harts for Hope supports families and children in need by meeting them where they are in the community. Whether through neighborhood celebrations or donations the organization engages directly with those in need.

Grant amount: $2,250

Ross Intermediate School (RIS) Language Arts

This grant supports the purchase of intervention materials to assist struggling students with reading and writing. While some students have managed to recover from the Covid affect on education, some students are experiencing difficulty catching up. Intervention Specialists requested help purchasing a program that will enable them to approach teaching these students in a different way.

Grant amount: $4,000

Inspiration Studios

This grant supports the creation of a mural by Inside Out Studio clients for the Ross Firehouse. Inside Out provides opportunities for clients to heal and grow through art, even offering artists the chance to earn a living through selling their artwork.

Grant amount: $2,000

Ross and Morgan Ministries (RAMM)

This grant supports the mission of RAMM as it assists those in the community that need it most. Grant dollars will be used for a variety of pantry items, especially the purchase of meat so that families receive a fully balanced meal with their food pickups.

Grant amount: $5,000

Butler Philharmonic

This grant was awarded to provide symphony experience right here in Ross. Just as the Butler Philharmonic aims to provide cultural music experiences across the County and particularly in rural areas, the Ross Community Foundation believes that access to quality arts programming is critical to the health of a person and community

Grant amount: $2,500

St. Joseph School

This grant supports enhanced safety measures at St. Joseph School. With grant dollars St. Joseph 
School will purchase doors for the first grade classes that can be safely locked and safety stenciling for outside doors. 

Grant amount: $5,000

Ross Township Historical Society (RTHS)

This grant was awarded to assist the RTHS in purchasing equipment needed for historical presentations and displays. The RCF Board believes that providing the rich history of Ross throughout the community is a worthwhile and noble endeavor. 

Grant amount: $500