Deadline for 2023 Grant Applications Approaching Soon

A Breakdown of the Gilchrist Foundation’s Four Grants

Every year the Gilchrist Foundation awards grants to deserving charities whose missions align with that of the Foundation. In 2022, the Foundation awarded more than $1.8 million to nonprofit organizations for projects ranging from music arts and the theater, to wildlife and conservation and disaster relief. The deadline for applications for 2023’s grants is coming soon: 2023 Grant Applications are Due by June 23, 2023.

Here are some common questions and answers about the Gilchrist Foundation’s grant season.

What type of grants does the Gilchrist Foundation award?

The Gilchrist Foundation awards four types of grants: Project, Capital Campaign, Endowment and Micro-Grants. Each grant fulfills a different purpose for an organization, and each has its own application form.

My organization has a new special program, which grant should I apply for?

A project grant would likely be your best option. The goal of the Gilchrist Foundation’s Project Grant is to either enhance an existing program or help offer a new one. Keep in mind, the expectation is that the Foundation’s support for a program is temporary and the program itself will become self-sustaining. It’s not the intention of the Foundation to become a permanent budget line item for the program.

Project grants are very popular. In fact, over the years, the Gilchrist Foundation has made about 45% of its total grant awards to special projects. While some grants have gone to social service agencies or institutions of higher education, they have had a conservation or arts purpose. For example, in 2022, the Gilchrist Foundation awarded several project grants. It awarded a $12,500 Project grant to Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools for a new sound system in the Crusader Courtyard. And it awarded a $40,000 to the City of Sioux City for a mural for the West 7th Street Corridor Public Art Project.

My organization is planning a big renovation project, which grant should I apply for?

A capital campaign grant. The goal of the Gilchrist Foundation’s Capital Campaign awards is to make a significant contribution to worthy renovation or expansion projects that will enhance the mission of the recipient charity.

Some preference is given to the use of foundation funds to stimulate matching funds. For example, in 2022, the Foundation awarded a couple of 1:1 challenge matches where the Foundation matched the organization’s fundraising. One of those matches was the $50,000 challenge match that was given to Siouxland Freedom Park for its new Interpretive Center.

Another example of a Capital Campaign grant is the Boys and Girls Home of Sioux City, Iowa’s $90,000 capital campaign award that helped fund the creation of the media center and multipurpose room at the Ginny Peterson Behavioral Health Campus.

My organization’s board is planning on funding an endowment, will The Foundation support that?

Yes, the Foundation often awards endowment grants. The goal of the Gilchrist Foundation’s Endowment awards is to promote viable endowments, with healthy board participation. The Gilchrist Foundation strives to be a significant contributor to the endowment, without becoming the main support of the endowment. Challenges that offer Foundation funds as matches to other funds receive preference. In 2022, the Foundation awarded the Art Association of Sioux City a $25,000 endowment grant for the Art Center of Sioux City’s endowment campaign.

Over the years, the Gilchrist Foundation has awarded about 55% of its total grants to endowment and capital campaigns. The Foundation also has a pattern of awarding about 45% of its total grants to the Arts, including not only the fine arts, but also cultural and historical groups.

My organization needs less than $5,000 for a program, can I still apply for a grant?

Yes! The Gilchrist Foundation’s Micro-Grants were created in 2014 just for this purpose. Micro-grants provide a one-time grant for up to $5,000 to qualifying tax-exempt organizations that promote the arts, wildlife or conservation. This grant allows non-profit groups to receive funding for smaller projects on a one-time basis. Criteria for the award includes the opportunity to bring theater, music, art, green spaces, parks, wildlife and conservation efforts into the lives of Siouxland residents.

In 2022, the Foundation awarded several micro-grants including a $5,000 micro-grant to Morningside College to purchase music and equipment for its All-America Concert Band and $5,000 to https://girlsincofsiouxcity.org/ to purchase equipment for a mini podcast studio.

How do I apply for a grant?

Keep in mind, the Gilchrist Foundation only awards grants to charities and organizations that have been invited to apply. That means organizations must complete the Grant Request-Pre-qualifier which has questions about your funding request. If your answers align with the interests of the Foundation, then you will be directed to fill out a Request for Invitation or you can download a PDF and mail it to:

• Security National Bank

• 601 Pierce St

• Sioux City, IA 51101

All Request for Invitations must be submitted by April 1, 2023.

Once you receive an invitation to apply, then you will be sent a URL link where you can download, complete and submit your choice of a grant application for Capital Campaign, Project Grant or Endowment. You can download the application forms from the Foundation’s Grant Process page.

All grant applications must be submitted by June 23, 2023.

What if I missed the deadline?

You can plan on submitting a Request for Invitation for 2024 or if your project or program requires less than $5,000 to fund, you can apply for a micro-grant any time throughout the year. Micro-grants will be either accepted or denied within 30 days. For more information about the Micro-Grant Project, contact Security National Bank at 712-277-6586 or wealth@snbonline.com.

About the Gilchrist Foundation

The Gilchrist Foundation was established by Jocelyn Gilchrist of Sioux City to honor her family and their philanthropic interests. Jocelyn supported the arts, wildlife and conservation, public broadcasting and disaster relief throughout her life both personally and through the Foundation. After her death in 2008, the Gilchrist Foundation continued to support these philanthropic interests.