How We Grant

Understanding Our Approach to Funding

Barberton Community Foundation is excited to work with grant partners for the benefit of Barberton and its residents. 

The Foundation funds tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations whose programs align with our mission and five-year strategic plan and benefit the residents of Barberton. Priority areas include early learning, career pathways, downtown revitalization, and basic needs. These eligible entities include Barberton City Schools (with approval in advance by the Superintendent) and the City of Barberton. 

The following are not eligible for grant funding through the Foundation:

  • Projects that do not benefit the citizens of Barberton

  • Necessary operating expenses, including salaries

  • Debt-reductions, deficits or previous obligations

  • Annual fundraising drives or fundraising activities/events

  • Political projects and sabbatical leaves

  • Venture capital for competitive profit-making activities

  • Religious organizations for religious purposes

  • Endowments housed at institutions other than Barberton Community Foundation

We encourage our grant applicants to view the Foundation as just one of multiple funding partners. Our goal is to invest in capable partners who are developing a variety of community relationships in their work to create lasting impact in Barberton.

Funding Cycles

The primary grantmaking process at Barberton Community Foundation now operates with two funding cycles per year.

  • The first cycle closes February 1, with board approval in March and disbursements beginning immediately thereafter.

  • The second cycle closes May 15, with board approval in July, followed promptly by disbursements.

This process has been redesigned to align with our new strategic plan, and simplified with input from our grantees to better address community needs today and for future generations.

Historically, our grant cycles mirrored the quarterly structure of other foundations. Now the process is aligned with the fiscal calendars of many of our nonprofit partners – allowing organizations to plan more effectively for their funding needs.

This streamlined approach provides two simple benefits:

  1. It gives Foundation partners clearer expectations for how much funding they’ll receive and when – an improvement for their own budget processes.
  2. It allows more time for the Foundation staff to fine-tune plans with partners, and be more intentional in deploying the community resources in our care.

Our goal is not simply to distribute funding, but to invest in programs and projects that advance strategic priorities for strengthening Barberton over the long-term.

Four Types of Grants

Barberton Community Foundation offers
four types of grants. 

Overview of the Grantmaking Process

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry


The process begins by creating an account in our grant system and submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Applicants identify the type of grant they are pursuing, describe the project and its purpose, explain alignment with our strategic plan, and provide evidence demonstrating both the need and their ability to deliver a solution.

Details that belong in the LOI include:

  • a concise description of the program or project, including why it is needed
  • amount requested and how the funds will be used
  • who you will serve and how many people
  • time frame (begin and end dates)

Step 2: Full Application 


You’ll receive a call within a week from a member of the Foundation staff to discuss your project. If invited, applicants complete a full application identifying which focus areas their work addresses, and demonstrating participation in relevant community networks. We look for organizations that understand the broader ecosystem of services and can show how their work contributes to long-term self-sufficiency for those they serve. Staff provide guidance on process but maintain objectivity and fairness.

Step 3: Committee and Board Review


Applications are reviewed through a structured, committee-driven process. The Grants Committee reviews proposals, discusses funding levels and forwards recommendations to the Executive Committee. Final approval or denial is decided by the Board of Directors.

Step 4: Grant Agreement and Ongoing Relationship


Organizations awarded funding enter into a formal grant agreement outlining reporting requirements and performance expectations. All grants require reporting, and multi-year grants include staged funding based on progress. The Foundation maintains communication and conducts mid-project check-ins to support success.

How to Begin


Barberton Community Foundation uses GOapply to receive all grant and scholarship applications.

To get started, register your account at Goapply.

  • Grant partners should register as “Organization.” (Do not register as “Individual.”)
  • You’ll need your EIN number to look up your organization, or search manually.

For help navigating GOapply, download this user guide or call us at 330-745-5995.

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