[Stark Community Foundation](https://www.starkcf.org)

March 2027 (Full application deadline, projected)

Planning grants up to $15,000 (1 year); implementation grants up to $100,000 (up to 3 years)

Supports collaborative, community-based strategies to reduce childhood poverty in Stark County through economic, educational, neighborhood, and innovative approaches.

This is a forecasted opportunity; all dates are projected based on the annual cycle.

--- ## Description This initiative, led by the Stark Community Foundation, funds collaborative projects that address the root causes of childhood poverty in Stark County, Ohio. Proposals must focus on long-term, systemic change and demonstrate strong partnerships, sustainable models, and measurable community impact. The program invests in four priority areas: economic stability and opportunity, education and youth development, positive neighborhood environment and place-based resilience, and open innovation for high-impact, cross-sector strategies. --- ## Due Dates - March 2027 (anticipated/projected full application deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Planning grants: Up to $15,000 for 1 year - Implementation grants: Up to $100,000 total, for up to 3 years - Funds may be used for planning, implementation, partnership development, and evaluation - Implementation grants require demonstration of completed planning and financial stability --- ## Eligibility - Eligible applicants: IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, educational institutions, government entities, and collaborative partnerships serving Stark County, Ohio - Projects must address at least one of the four focus areas and provide evidence-based strategies to reduce childhood poverty - Proposals must demonstrate meaningful community partnerships and alignment with selected focus area(s) - Preference given to neighborhood-based strategies and proposals with strong data support - Ineligible: Traditional program expansions without system-level impact, one-time/short-term activities, immediate needs proposals, projects lacking sustainability, or navigator models that replicate existing siloed approaches --- ## Application Process - Only online applications are accepted via the [Stark Community Foundation Grant Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=starkcf) - Applicants must register or log in to submit a proposal - Proposals should clearly articulate the planned strategy, partnerships, data-driven rationale, sustainability plan, and anticipated impact - Evaluation criteria include alignment with initiative areas, measurable impact on earnings or poverty cycles, strong partnerships, equity focus, sustainability, and feasibility/readiness - Grantees will be required to report on both traditional outcomes and initiative-specific indicators, and participate in shared learning --- ## Additional Information - Proposals must not be one-time events or short-term activities, and must have a clear plan for sustainability and community need - Use data from the [SCF Community Data Hub](https://www.starkcf.org/for-grantees/for-organizations/community-data-hub) to support your application - Site visits and award notifications typically follow the application deadline, with award decisions communicated by email --- ## External Links - [Protecting Stark's Future Program Page](https://www.starkcf.org/for-grantees/for-organizations/funding-opportunities/protecting-starks-future) - [2026 Protecting Stark's Future RFP (PDF)](https://www.starkcf.org/files/assets/protectingstarksfuturerfp2026.pdf) - [SCF Community Data Hub](https://www.starkcf.org/for-grantees/for-organizations/community-data-hub) - [Grant Portal (Apply Online)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=starkcf) - [2023 Stark County Community Assessment (PDF)](https://www.starkcf.org/files/news/2023starkcountycommunityassessment.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Title | Email | Phone | |---------------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------| | Amy Krebs | Vice President of Grants and Community Initiatives | [akrebs@starkcf.org](mailto:akrebs@starkcf.org) | 234-458-2912 | | Dana Johnson | Grants Manager and Program Officer | [djohnson@starkcf.org](mailto:djohnson@starkcf.org) | 234-458-2915 | | Stark Community Foundation | General Inquiries | [info@starkcf.org](mailto:info@starkcf.org) | 330-454-3426 |

Protecting Stark's Future

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