Grant to Honor the Community's Best Nonprofit Organizations

GrantID: 73123

Grant Funding Amount Low: $1,500

Deadline: Ongoing

Grant Amount High: $150,000

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Summary

This grant may be available to individuals and organizations in Indiana that are actively involved in Health & Medical. To locate more funding opportunities in your field, visit The Grant Portal and search by interest area using the Search Grant tool.

Eligible Regions

Interests

Eligible Requirements

The Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence is a prestigious biennial award presented by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County to recognize and support outstanding nonprofit organizations within St. Joseph County, Indiana. Established in 1999 through an endowment by Judd and Mary Lou Leighton, the award aims to celebrate superior leadership, management, and programming in the nonprofit sector. 


🏆 Types of Grants

The Leighton Award is not a traditional grant but a recognition award that includes significant financial support:

  • $150,000 Endowment Challenge Grant: Awarded to the winning organization, which must raise an additional $150,000 in matching funds. The combined $300,000 is added to the organization's endowed fund within the Community Foundation, providing ongoing annual support.

  • $25,000 Cash Grant: Provided to assist with fundraising, communications related to the match, general operating expenses, or to contribute toward the matching requirement.

  • Additionally, the Foundation may present Special Recognition Awards of $10,000 to organizations demonstrating inspiring service and performance.


🎯 Funding Areas

The award focuses on organizations that exhibit excellence in:

  • Leadership: Demonstrating visionary and effective organizational leadership.

  • Management: Exemplifying sound management practices and operational efficiency.

  • Programming: Delivering impactful programs that effectively serve the community.

  • The overarching goal is to recognize and encourage nonprofits that set high standards in serving the community.


✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Leighton Award, organizations must:

  • Be a nonprofit organization located in St. Joseph County, Indiana.

  • Demonstrate superior performance in leadership, management, and programming.

  • Be capable of raising the required $150,000 matching funds for the endowment challenge.

  • The award is highly competitive, aiming to motivate all local charities to pursue excellence


💵 Funding Amounts

  • Endowment Challenge Grant: $150,000 (requires a $150,000 match by the recipient).

  • Cash Grant: $25,000 for discretionary use, including fundraising and operational expenses.

  • Special Recognition Awards: $10,000 each, awarded at the committee's discretion.


Proposal Deadlines

  • Letter of Intent Deadline: July 1

  • Full Application Deadline: August 1