Current Funding
MLK Day of Service 2022 Project Grant Competition 
ServeOhio, in partnership with American Electric Power Foundation, announces the availability of grants to support community service projects organized for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 17, 2022.
Purpose
The intent is to support projects that create or improve community assets or infrastructure, such as parks, schools, senior centers, community gardens, and low-income homes. Project grants support local community engagement projects that improve economic opportunity such as promoting financial literacy. In addition to community infrastructure projects, MLK Day project-grants must also incorporate an education component so projects create long-term, sustainable change on issues and on people. Projects should be collaborative in nature and involve a broad spectrum of community participants. Benefits must accrue to the community as a whole, not simply to the applicant organization and its constituents.
Funding
Grant awards will be in the range of $250 to $1,500. Depending on amounts requested, an estimated five to ten grants will be awarded. There is no matching requirement for these grants. Consistent with the approved project budget, funds may be used for:
- Supplies/materials
- Volunteer Support
Funds requested should be commensurate with the number of volunteers engaged; the higher the grant request, the higher number of volunteers that should be engaged in the project. Funds may not be used for staffing, travel costs, gift cards, awards, or grantee administration/overhead costs. Supplies/materials may include small equipment (useful life of two years or more) up to $100 unit cost. All awards will be paid by reimbursement upon submission of the project report and documentation of expenditures.
Application Process
Non-profit and public organizations in Ohio including, but not limited to, volunteer centers, school districts, community colleges, universities, and local governments are eligible to apply. The application form must be completed, signed, and submitted by Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 11:59 PM.
ServeOhio staff and board members will review applications. Reviewers will evaluate proposals based on:
- Community need/project design
- Use of broad-based community participation and collaboration
- Number of volunteers engaged is commensurate with the funding request
- Budgetary compliance
Other factors that may be considered include geographic diversity of projects and whether an applicant has received funding for another project in the past year. Funding preference will be given to applicants that do not presently receive other grant funding from ServeOhio. All applicants will be notified of funding decisions by Friday, December 17, 2021.
Please refer questions regarding the MLK Day Project Grant Competition to Sarah Short, Volunteer Engagement Program Officer, at sarah.short@serveohio.gov.