Community Grants

These questions and answers supplement the 2026 Community Grants Request for Proposals (RFP). Applicants should review the full RFP and the instructions in the application. Additional questions and answers may be added during the application period. 

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Eligibility and Applicant Organizations

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1. Who is eligible to apply?
   Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing or programs operating under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing. The applicant organization or fiscally sponsored program must operate a physical location in Jackson County, Missouri. The proposed program or service must have been operating for at least one year and must serve Jackson County residents age 60 and older.
    

2. Does my organization have to serve older adults exclusively to qualify?
   No. JCSF recognizes three categories of eligible applicants:
   
   Category 1: Organizations that exclusively serve older adults.
   Category 2: Organizations for which serving older adults is a significant and established part of their mission, but not their exclusive focus.
   Category 3: Organizations that have designated programs or services for older adults, but for which serving older adults is not a major part of their overall work.
   
   All applicants must have an established program or service for older adults that has been operating for at least one year. JCSF funds may only be used to serve Jackson County, Missouri, residents age 60 and older.
    

3. Can a new organization or program apply for funding?
   The program or service for which funding is requested must have been operating for at least one year. Funding may support the expansion of an established program but not the creation of an entirely new program without an operating track record.
    

4. Can an organization apply through a fiscal sponsor (fiscal agent)?
   Yes. Organizations or programs that do not have their own 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status may apply through an eligible 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. The applicant organization or program must be headquartered in Jackson County, Missouri, and meet the other eligibility requirements. The application must include the fiscal sponsor’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter and a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the responsibilities of the applicant and fiscal sponsor.
    

5. Can an organization submit more than one application?
   No. Each organization may submit only one application per grant cycle. However, an organization may also serve as a fiscal sponsor for one or more eligible applicants, provided each fiscally sponsored program submits its own application and required documentation.

 

Funding and Eligible Expenses

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1. How much funding can an organization request?
   The minimum grant request is $10,000. The maximum request is $250,000 or 25% of the applicable organizational or program budget, whichever is less. The JCSF Board reserves the right to consider exceptions. Applicants should request an amount proportionate to the proposed work and provide a clear justification for the expenses.
    

2. What types of programs and services are eligible for funding?
   ​JCSF’s five strategic funding priorities are:
   
   ​​1.  Caregiver Support
   ​​2.  Social Isolation
   ​​3.  Home Modification and Fall Prevention
   ​​4.  Transportation
   ​​5.  Food Insecurity
   
   ​Proposed projects should align with one or more of these priorities. Applicants may also identify another older-adult need aligned with JCSF’s mission.
    

3. What types of expenses are eligible for funding?
   JCSF may fund reasonable and necessary expenses directly related to delivering or expanding established programs and services for older adults. These may include salaries and benefits, contracted services, supplies, equipment, transportation, vehicles, minor home repairs, and modest improvements to existing facilities. Applicants should review the expense categories and instructions in the online application for additional guidance.
    

4. Are administrative or indirect expenses allowed?
   Yes. Administrative or indirect expenses may not exceed 15% of salaries and benefits for staff working directly on the funded project or program. Applicants must explain how these expenses were calculated.
    

5. What types of expenses or activities are not eligible?
   JCSF does not fund general operating support unrelated to a defined program, major construction or renovations, capital campaigns, standalone capacity-building activities, event sponsorships, or multi-year requests. The RFP includes the complete list of ineligible funding requests.
    

Preparing and Submitting the Application

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1. Where and how do I apply?
   Applications must be submitted electronically through the Jackson County Seniors Fund’s online grant application system, Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM). Visit www.jacksoncountyseniorsfund.org/grants for access to the application portal. Applicants are encouraged to review the Foundant Applicant Tutorial before beginning. Applications submitted by email or in paper form will not be accepted.
    

2. What should I enter if a required question does not apply to my organization?
   Follow the instructions provided with each question. Where specified, enter “N/A,” “None,” or “0” as appropriate. If a required financial or organizational document is unavailable, follow the instructions for that upload field. In some cases, applicants may submit a brief statement explaining why the document is unavailable.
    

3. What is the difference between the number of people served and program outcomes?
   The number of people served is the estimated number of individual Jackson County residents age 60 and older who will directly receive services. Each person should be counted only once, regardless of how many times they participate. Program outcomes describe the changes or benefits participants are expected to experience as a result of those services. For example, a home modification program might serve 100 older adults, with an expected outcome that participants feel safer in their homes. Follow-up surveys could be used to measure that outcome. Applicants may identify up to three outcomes, but only one is required.

 

Budgets and Supporting Documents

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1. Does my organization need to provide a budget for the entire program or only the amount requested from JCSF?
   Both. Applicants must complete an itemized budget showing how the requested JCSF funds will be spent. The total must equal the amount requested from JCSF. Applicants must also upload their current organizational operating budget and, where applicable, the budget for the older-adult program or service for which funding is requested.
    

2. Do other funding sources need to be committed before applying?
   No. If the proposed project or program requires funding beyond the amount requested from JCSF, applicants should explain how they expect to cover the remaining costs. Other funding sources may be secured or anticipated. They do not need to be committed at the time of application.
    

3. Is a financial audit required to apply? 
   No. A financial audit is not required for eligibility. If your organization has a completed audit, upload the most recent one. If your organization does not have a formal audit, upload a brief statement indicating that no audit is available. Financial statements may be internally prepared and do not need to be audited.

 

Grant Decisions and Reporting

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1. When will grant decisions be announced?
   JCSF anticipates notifying applicants of funding decisions before December 31, 2026.
    

2. What period will the grants cover, and can organizations apply again?
   Grants awarded through this cycle will support activities from January 1 through December 31, 2027. Grants are for one year, and multi-year requests will not be considered. Organizations may apply for future JCSF funding opportunities, including the 2027 grant cycle, subject to the eligibility requirements and funding priorities established for those opportunities. Funding in this cycle does not guarantee continued or renewed funding.
    

3. What reporting will be required if my organization receives a grant?
   Grantees will be required to submit a final report on the use of funds and program outcomes at the end of the grant period. JCSF may also request a brief mid-year status update. Additional information about reporting requirements will be provided to grant recipients.

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Questions and Technical Assistance

 

Questions about eligibility, the application process, or grant requirements may be directed to grants@jacksoncoseniors.org. JCSF will respond to inquiries within two business days.

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Additional questions and answers may be added to this FAQ during the application period. Applicants are encouraged to check www.jacksoncountyseniorsfund.org/grants regularly for updates.