<h1>How We Make Grants</h1>
We fund work that meets our grant-making priorities and supports our guiding principles. We are committed to identifying the needs of the community and engaging our residents to work together to enhance the quality of life in South Fork and the surrounding area.

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<strong>Programs considered for support must be located within the Greater South Fork area and directly benefit our residents. Proposals from faith-based organizations will only be considered if:</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>The service benefits all, regardless of religion;</li>
 	<li>The service provided is not religious in nature; <em>and </em></li>
 	<li>There is no proselytizing associated with the service.</li>
</ol>
<strong>We only fund the following types of organizations:</strong>

Tax exempt private agencies classified as:
<ul>
 	<li>501 (c)(3)organizations</li>
 	<li>Public charities</li>
 	<li>Government agencies</li>
</ul>

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<strong>The Foundation awards RESPONSIVE and INITIATIVE BASED grants. </strong>

Responsive grants are initiated by a federally tax exempt agency requesting support of a program that falls with the Foundation program areas.

Initiative based grants are funded as the Foundation seeks to identify opportunities for positive change and to address community issues through initiatives and partnerships.

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<strong>We give priority to initiatives that effectively address community needs in the following areas:</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Arts, Culture and Heritage</li>
 	<li>Education and Learning</li>
 	<li>Civic Improvement and Community Development</li>
 	<li>Recreation and Leisure</li>
 	<li>Environment and Conservation</li>
 	<li>Health and Human Services</li>
</ul>

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<strong>We do not support the following:</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Organizations that do not have an active 501 (c) (3) tax status</li>
 	<li>Individuals</li>
 	<li>Religious organizations</li>
 	<li>Political organizations</li>
 	<li>Operating deficits or debt retirement</li>
 	<li>Health care procedures</li>
 	<li>Annual memberships or affiliations</li>
 	<li>Campaigns, dinners or special events</li>
 	<li>Travel or vehicle purchase</li>
</ul>