Making community possible

At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.

The U.S. Bank Foundation is committed to making Community Possible through Work, Home and Play. We advance this work through collaborative grant making to bring equitable and lasting change through our focus on sustainable, high-impact funding with 501c3 nonprofit partners.

Home

Children and families are better positioned to thrive and succeed in a home that is safe and permanent. Access to sustainable low-income housing is increasingly challenging for low- to moderate-income families. In response, our giving supports efforts that connect individuals and families with sustainable housing opportunities.

Access to safe, affordable energy-efficient housing

We provide financial support to assist people in developing stability in their lives through access to safe, sustainable and accessible homes. Examples of grant support include:

• Organizations that preserve, rehabilitate, renovate or construct affordable housing developments for low- and moderate-income families, individuals, seniors, veterans, and special-needs populations
• Organizations that provide transitional housing as a direct stepping stone to permanent housing
• Organizations that focus on veterans housing and homeownership
• Construction of green homes for low- and moderate-income communities
• Clean energy retrofit programs for low- and moderate-income housing developments
• Organizations that provide access to renewable energy
• Improving waste management systems to include recycling and composting programs

Homeownership education

Owning and maintaining a home requires significant financial knowledge, tools and resources. We support programs that assist low- and moderate-income homebuyers and existing homeowners. Examples of grant support include:

• Homebuyer education
• Pre- and post-purchase counseling and coaching
• Homeownership-retention programs designed to provide foreclosure counseling

Work

We know that a strong small business environment and an educated workforce ensure the prosperity of our communities and reduce the expanding wealth gap for communities of color. We provide grant support to programs and organizations that help small businesses thrive, allow people to succeed in the workforce, provide pathways to higher education and gain greater financial literacy.

Investing in the workforce

We fund organizations that provide training for small business development, as well as programs that support individuals across all skill and experience levels, to ensure they have the capability to gain employment that supports individuals and their families. Examples of grant support include:

• Small business technical assistance programs
• Job skills, career readiness training programs with comprehensive placement services for low- and moderate-income individuals entering or reentering the labor force

Providing pathways for educational success

• To address the growing requirements for post-secondary education in securing competitive jobs in the workplace, we support:
• Organizations and programs that help low- and moderate-income and at-risk middle and high school students prepare for post-secondary education at a community college, university, trade or technical school and career readiness
• Programs and initiatives at post-secondary institutions that support access to career and educational opportunities for low- and moderate-income and diverse students

Teaching financial well-being for work and life

Financial well-being is not only critical for financial stability, it’s crucial in helping individuals be successful in the workplace. Examples of grant support include programs that positively impact:

• K-12 and college student financial literacy
• Adult and workforce financial literacy
• Senior financial fraud prevention
• Military service member and veteran financial literacy

Supporting the green economy through workforce development

The green economy is fast becoming an area of opportunity for workforce development programs. Funding support includes:

• Reskilling or retraining for jobs in renewable or clean energy
• Building and maintaining infrastructure to support renewable energy, including EV charging stations and bike/transportation programs

Play

Play brings joy, and it’s just as necessary for adults as it is for kids. But in low-income areas there are often limited spaces for play and fewer people attending arts and cultural events. That’s why we invest in community programming that supports ways for children and adults to play and create.

Access to artistic and cultural programming and arts education

Our investments ensure economic vitality and accessibility to the arts in local communities, as well as support for arts education. Examples of grant support include:

• Programs that provide access to cultural activities, visual and performing arts, zoos and aquariums and botanic gardens for individuals and families living in underserved communities
• Funding for local arts organizations that enhance the economic vitality of the community
• Programs that provide funding for arts-focused nonprofit organizations that bring visual and performing arts programming to low- and moderate-income K-12 schools and youth centers

Supporting learning through play

Many young people across the country do not have the resources or access to enjoy the benefits of active play. Supporting active play-based programs and projects for K-12 students located in or serving low- and moderate-income communities fosters innovation, creativity, and collaboration and impacts the overall vitality of the communities we serve. Funding support includes:

• Support for organizations that build or expand access to active play spaces and places that help K-12 students learn through play and improves the health, safety and unification of neighborhoods in low- and moderate-income communities
• Programs that focus on using active play to help young people develop cognitive, social and emotional learning skills to become vibrant and productive citizens in low- and moderate-income communities

Outdoor places to play

Environmental stewardship enhances and improves the livability of our communities. Supporting efforts to preserve, protect and enhance outdoor spaces is now part of our Play pillar of giving. Funding support includes:

• Cleanup efforts in community spaces, including (but not limited to) beaches, rivers, and streams
• Protecting green spaces within the community, including planting trees, mangroves and seagrass
• Programs that support community, native and/or pollinator gardens, including community composting

NOTE: After reviewing the grant criteria, if you feel you are still eligible, please send a letter of inquiry with general grant information to the foundation.

The Elinor & T.W. Miller, Jr. Foundation

The Elinor & T.W. Miller, Jr. Foundation is dedicated to the causes Bill and Elinor loved most: education, health care, athleticism, spiritual health, and community engagement.

The foundation commenced operation in 2004 after Bill passed away, and today, the board continues to follow the Miller’s leadership, honoring their vision and legacy through a commitment to serving the people and institutions of Winter Park and Ashland.

The Miller Foundation accepts applications from 501c3 organizations that align with the mission of the foundation.

General Purposes

Based on the lifetime interests of the Miller family, the Elinor and T. W. Miller, Jr. Foundation shows special consideration to projects focused on education, health care, athleticism, and spiritual health and community engagement.

As a way of engaging the community-at-large and helping organizations increase donors, many of our grants are given as a “dollar for dollar” match. In all cases we want to see our support helping your organization attain a higher level of service to t he community they serve.

In 1994, the Carroll Community Fund was created to provide a flexible and meaningful way for Carroll County residents to make a positive and immediate impact in the community.

This source of funding, used exclusively for Carroll County, supports a wide range of projects and programs addressing issues on a local level. The nine-member board of the Carroll County Foundation oversees and awards discretionary grants from this fund to nonprofit organizations each year.

Nordson Foundation Giving Strategies

The geographic areas in which Nordson has major facilities determine the Nordson Foundation's giving priorities.

Within these geographic areas, granting priorities are driven by community needs. Although needs change quickly, our vision is long term. We pursue and support results-oriented opportunities that prepare individuals for full and equal participation in the economic and social mainstream. We believe these kinds of programs help improve the quality of life over the long term and produce stronger, more enlightened communities in which we live and work. We strive to fulfill these responsibilities in our communities through contributions to charitable activities with a focus on education. Other major giving categories that are supported are human welfare, civic affairs and arts and culture. 

Nordson Foundation Values 

In the spirit of our corporate founders, the Nordson Corporation Foundation continues to operate on the belief that business, as a corporate citizen, has a social responsibility to share its success with the communities where it operates and draws employees.  

The Nordson Foundation is dedicated to improving our communities by supporting the continuum of education from birth to adulthood in the belief that education is the key for individuals to become self-sufficient, productive members of society.  

To prepare individuals for economic independence, a variety of quality educational experiences are necessary. To be successful today, individuals not only need to master the basics, “reading, writing and arithmetic”, they must also know how to think critically and creatively. Strengthening the community’s human capital – through quality education – is crucial.  

The Nordson Foundation offers support to non-profit organizations that cultivate educational curriculum and experiences that foster self-sufficiency, job readiness and goals to aspire to higher education. The Foundation is well aware of the fact that for non-profit organizations to remain viable they must receive operating support. With this in mind, Nordson Corporation Foundation does invest in general operating support.  

As stewards of the Foundation assets, the directors feel strongly that the organizations that are supported by the Foundation be able to measure the effectiveness of their mission and programs. Quantitative and/or qualitative data allows for the Foundation to ensure that the organizations it supports are bringing about the desired outcomes in our communities.              

Nordson Foundation Goals

The goals of the Nordson Corporation Foundation are to insure that:

• All children have access to and receive quality educational experiences from early childhood  
• All individuals have the opportunity to be self-sufficient members of society 
• There is a continuum of quality educational opportunities 
• Our communities are strengthened by the organizations we fund whether their focus is education, human welfare, civic or arts and culture

Nordson Foundation Funding Strategy

Through its grant-making, the Foundation supports organizations that directly or indirectly seek to maximize success before, during and beyond the traditional classroom years. Grants will be reviewed and considered on the basis of their enrichment to the communities where our employees live and work. Organizations and programs receiving grants will be expected to identify relevant, measurable outcomes to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs.

Education

• Early Childhood Care and Education
• Maximizing Student Success
• Access to quality educational opportunities
• Innovative programs
• Partnerships/collaborations with school districts
• Funding gaps not covered by public monies
• Augmenting core curriculum
• Exposure to programs that expand on traditional education
• Workforce Preparation
• Initial preparation for the world of work
• Retraining for the new job market
• Strengthening our communities

Human Welfare

• Promote prevention and lifestyle maintenance programs and activities
• Promote crisis intervention
• Promote life transition opportunities
• Promote systemic change

Arts and Culture

• Actively seek to broaden the audience bases in Nordson communities
• Support the visual and performing arts
• Provide educational enrichment for students
• Motivation for at-risk youth
• Provide access to the arts for special needs audience
• Promote greater understanding among people via the arts

Civic

• Work to improve the physical or economic environment
• Provide cultural or historical preservation
• Strive to inform citizens and increase their participation in community improvement

The Legacy Fund

The LEGACY Fund​ lays the groundwork for systemic changes that utilize local strategies and visionary leadership. The focus is to provide ongoing financial charitable support for the improvement of the health, welfare and safety of Clinton County, Ohio.

History

The LEGACY Fund, which stands for Local Endowment for Governments and Charities for Years was established by the Clinton County Board of Commission on January 15, 2019 through funding of the sale of the Clinton Memorial Hospital. Board members Mike McCarty, Kerry Steed, and Brenda Woods transferred $10 million to establish the LEGACY Fund that supports the Clinton County, Ohio community.

Legacy Fund Grants

We invest in a broad range of nonprofit organizations working to strengthen and improve our home, Clinton County. The LEGACY Fund wants to improve the welfare of Clinton County in areas such as health, wellness, seniors, youth, and education. The LEGACY Fund’s mission is to strengthen Clinton County, Ohio and improve the lives of its citizens through project-based funding. The LEGACY Fund develops our communities through transformative ideas and creative, pioneering programs.

Ohio Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Grant

The Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Future Forward Ohio is pleased to announce it has completed the compilation of its fourth 21st CCLC External Community Partnership Listing for the development of potential partnerships with current and future 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) programs.  

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides opportunities for children who come from economically disadvantaged families and attend low-performing schools to receive academic supports. School districts, schools, community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, city or county government agencies, for-profit corporations and other public or private entities are eligible for the 21st CCLC grant.

The Ohio Department of Education's Office of Future Forward Ohio administers the 21st CCLC grant. This federally funded grant program supports high-quality, out-of-school time learning opportunities and related activities for students who attend eligible schools. Recent flexibility from the U.S. Department of Education allows 21st CCLC funds to be used for expanded learning time programming during the school day, week or year in addition to out-of-school time. 

Funding

Applicants are permitted to request the necessary funds to operate their programs; however, the requested amounts should be appropriate and reasonable for the size and scope of the proposed activities. Applicants shall not request more than $200,000 per grant option for years 1-3. In year 4, applicants shall receive no more than $150,000 and in year 5, no more than $100,000. Per federal requirements, the minimum grant award amount is $50,000.

The Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation

The Foundation was established in 2006 by Donald and Laura Harrison and their children in Cincinnati, Ohio. Laura Harrison was an active community volunteer involved in a broad group of activities. Dr. Harrison is a cardiologist, administrator, and business entrepreneur.

They have creatively funded programs and facilities at their respective colleges and have participated in supporting a number of local charitable organizations with educational missions for the underprivileged.

Mission & Purpose of the Harrison Foundation

The Foundation seeks to improve opportunities and outcomes primarily for underprivileged students by funding educational scholarships, programs and research with a particular emphasis on seeding and supporting new programs.

The Foundation's primary initiative is to help launch innovative educational programs for primary, secondary and adult education. The Foundation also emphasizes funding programs for underprivileged children, youth, adults and families. The ultimate goal is to empower citizens affected by the grant to shape their own future in the community.

Hayswood Foundation Grant

Our mission is to help groups and individuals obtain the tools needed to improve the lives of all of the citizens of our community.

We strive to fulfill this mission by providing grants to local non-profit organizations, to assist them in offering programs and services involving mental and physical health, and education. This mission is further fulfilled by administering scholarship programs that help local students realize their dreams of a quality higher education, and become productive members of their future communities.

Annually, the Foundation's Finance Committee makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors concerning the total amount of grant funds to be made available for distribution. That determination is based on many factors, including IRS requirements, the market value of the investment account, and the anticipated needs of the communities served. Under normal circumstances, no more than 10% of the total amount available may be granted to any one organization for purposes that are not considered "major capital projects." These grants are made for 1-year terms, and may or may not be subject to matching provisions.  

Grant Program

The Foundation's current grant program has been in existence since 1985. It serves non-profit organizations located or operating in the northeastern Kentucky counties of Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason, and Robertson, and the southeastern Ohio counties of Adams and Brown. Projects submitted for funding consideration must promote mental or physical health, or education. Since its inception, the grant program has awarded approximately $7.75 million for projects both large and small.

Funding Initiatives

Through our competitive grants program, we invest in nonprofits that are working to meet current community needs in the fields of:

Arts & Culture

Having opportunities available for individuals to experience art and culture on a personal basis are critical to having a community with strong cultural vitality.

• Increase the Diversity, and Attendance Levels of Audiences Attending Arts And Culture Events.
  • Programs are available that allow a diverse audience opportunities for interaction with arts & culture.
  • Programs are available that increase audience attendance at arts and culture events.
• Community Residents of All Ages Acquire Knowledge or Skills in Arts and Culture.
  • Programs are available that allow children and adults opportunities to create art.
  • Individuals will have opportunities to engage with artists.
• Increase the Number of Opportunities For Artists.
  • Increase the number of opportunities available for artists to increase their talents.

Civic Affairs

Civic engagement is an essential element in democracy and key to making smart and creative decisions that allow communities to flourish today and meet the challenges of tomorrow.

• Educate and Engage Active Citizens of All Ages.
  • Improve the civic knowledge and participation of Clark County citizens

Environment, Conservation & Animals

By bringing conservation and environmental issues into focus and motivating the community to join in making improvements we affect positive change.

• Increase The Number of Citizens Participating In Activities That Foster An Appreciation of Our Environment
  • Increase community awareness of conservation and environmental issues in Clark County to educate our citizens and businesses and encourage their participation and appreciation of our natural environment.
• Decrease The Number Of Homeless And Unwanted Pets In Clark County
  • Provide free or discounted spay/neuter vouchers to pet owners in under served areas of Clark County.
  • Shelter cats and dogs will be spayed/neutered before released for adoption

Education

To increase the number of people receiving a quality education that will set the basis for a successful life.

• Increase The Number of Students Who Are Ready To Begin Kindergarten.
  • Increase the number of children enrolling in early childhood quality educational programs such as pre-school.
  • Increase parental involvement with children’s education.
• Increase The College And Career Readiness For Clark County Residents.
  • Increase the number of students participating in post-secondary preparation programs.
  • Increase the number of Clark County residents who participate in job training programs.

Health

The economic impact of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, poor mental health and chronic diseases is an important consideration for our community, as is the long-term impact on individuals’ health and wellness. Healthy individuals have a prevention-oriented mindset toward their health. 

• Impact The Health of The Community By Decreasing The Incidence of Unintended Pregnancies And Infection With Sexually Transmitted Infections (Stis).
  • Increase outreach and information, taking into consideration Clark County populations who may be at higher risk or more vulnerable to disparate health outcomes.
  • Increase access to and awareness of Reproductive Health Services, including use of a Reproductive Life Plan.
  • Decrease the state reported rate of Clark County individuals testing positive for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
• Improve The Mental Health of The Community By Providing Individuals With The Skills and Services Necessary To Successfully Handle Challenging Situations and To Understand and Manage Their Conditions and Behaviors.
  • Increase outreach and information, taking into consideration Clark County populations who may be at higher risk or more vulnerable to disparate health outcomes.
  • Improve the understanding and application of trauma informed practices throughout various disciplines/initiatives in Clark County.
  • Equip Clark County youths with self-management skills to cope with or avoid depression, suicide and drug abuse.
• Improve Management of Chronic Diseases In Clark County.
  • Increase outreach and information, taking into consideration Clark County populations who may be at higher risk or more vulnerable to disparate health outcomes.
  • Individuals with congestive heart failure will manage their disease and will decrease hospital re-admissions for congestive heart failure.
  • Patients with diabetes will manage their disease outside of taking medication alone.
    • Decrease the number of asthma attacks that require emergency services/treatment by implementing home-based environmental assessments and interventions.

Human Services-

Meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life is the focus of our human services program

• To Help Families and Individuals Become Stable and Financially Independent
  • To assist families and individuals in meeting emergency needs to stabilize a crisis, and for which no other or inadequate funding sources are available.
    • Examples: emergency assistance with food, clothing, shelter, crisis intervention or refuge in abuse cases.
  • To provide services that prevent or intervene in cases of family breakdown, violence or poverty.
    • • To assist families and individuals in removing barriers to obtaining and maintaining economic self-sufficiency. Examples: child care, transportation, transitional housing, and rehabilitation programs.
  • To assist individuals with physical or developmental disabilities in maintaining an independent or semi-independent lifestyle.
• To Promote Positive Outcomes For All People
  • To foster good relationships between youth, especially minority youth, and law enforcement.
  • To provide youth, especially those most at risk, with the skills, knowledge and a variety of other personal and social assets to function well during adolescence and adulthood.
  • To provide senior citizens, especially those most at risk, with the opportunity to continue contributing to society while having the best quality of life.

We also provide field of interest funding from endowments created by donors directed to a broad area reflecting their personal interests. There is no separate application for this funding. All applications are evaluated for their relevance to these areas which include:

• Animal Causes ( Spay/Neuter)
•  Arts (preforming arts in the schools and arts for individuals with a diagnosed mental illness)
• Children and Youth
• Conservation and Preservation
• Construction Trades (Training and Education)
• Environmental Activities
• Education
• Health (Cardiac & Respiratory Ailments, Cancer Care, Prenatal and Postpartum programs, Dental)
• Homeless Shelters
• People with Disabilities (Blind & Vision Impaired, Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Physical, Developmental)