Apply for Grants
The Otsego Community Foundation manages over 100 charitable funds established by generous individuals, businesses and families that want to give back to Otsego County. These funds are resources managed by the OCF for the community. From these funds grants are distributed back to the community based on the intention and type of each charitable fund. Our grants support a wide range of projects and programs in areas including:
- Arts and Culture
- Conservation
- Health and Human Services
- Community Improvement and Capacity Building
- Education
- And so much more
Our Grantmaking Philosophy
To us, Otsego County is more than a geographic region or a map dot-it’s the place we call home, it is where we chose to live, work and play. And because of that, we are dedicated to connecting the people who care to the causes that matter. Grant making is the heart and soul of the OCF and our process is thoughtfully designed work for all community partners.
- We commit to ongoing learning and continued improvement of the process
- We partner with nonprofits and donors to turn ideas into action
- We strive for positive net grants (grant dollars received after subtracting the “cost” of applying and administering)
- We believe each grant is an important part of our community story.
Grant Opportunites
As the “foundation of the community” the OCF is dedicated to being a platform of support for all nonprofit organizations serving the people and programs of Otsego County. No matter how large or small, and no matter the topic area, our grant making framework is designed to strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem. Please review the grant readiness checklist in the grant guidelines document before applying.
OCF offers three unique grant opportunities:
Community Choice Grants
Community Choice Grants invite and include members of the community in the nomination and selection process of our grantmaking efforts. Not only is this an opportunity for nonprofit partners to receive funding, it spreads awareness of their mission and cultivates new relationships. Community Choice Grants are another way we connect people who care to the causes that matter to them.
- Funding range: $1,000 – $5,000
- Nomination opportunities announced throughout the year. To ensure you don’t miss this opportunity, sign up for Foundation Matters or follow us on Facebook and Instagram
- Review Grant Guidelines for eligibility and to work through the grant readiness checklist
Community Grant Program
The Community Grant Program utilizes efficiency, transparency, and collaboration by engaging multiple funding partners to align resources that maximize impact for grantees. This cycle responds to a wide variety of needs and opportunities in Otsego County and is meant to support organizations in their "big rocks" projects. In other words, the larger programs and services that support an organization with their long-term growth. Review grant guidelines for full details.
- Funding range: $500 - $10,000
- Application open: August
- Application deadline: Consult dates under open and live cycles below
- Funding notification: Mid/late October
- Click to review Grant Guidelines for eligibility and work through the grant readiness checklist
Adapt Grants
Adapt Grants are designed to fund projects that are small in scale, meet an unanticipated need, explore new opportunities, sponsor an event, and grow capacity. These grants are meant to be flexible and support you in adapting to changing needs, so whether you're dreaming up a new project that could use seed or matching support, or are tackling a challenge that popped up suddenly, we want to support you in executing your day-to-day mission. Compared to the Community Grant Program "big rocks", we consider these to be "pebble" projects. Both are important for advancing one's mission. You can apply for both an Adapt Grant and the Community Grant Program in the same year.
- Funding range: $500 - $2,500
- Quarterly deadlines as below
- Click to review Grant Guidelines for eligibility and work through the grant readiness checklist
| Submit by | Funding decision by |
| January 15 | February 15 |
| April 15 | May 15 |
| July 15 | August 15 |
| Q4 closed |
Q4 grants defer to Community Grant Program application |
Live and Upcoming Cycles
Before applying for a grant, please review our Grant Guidelines here. When ready, explore open grant cycles below. We look forward to learning about your ideas for transforming our vision of healthy, vibrant, and resilient communities support by philanthropy into reality! Any questions can be directed to DeLayni Brown at delayni@otsegofoundation.org.
Community Grant Program
Since 2015, The Otsego Community Foundation has administered the Community Grant Program, a collaborative effort of local funders that increases the effectiveness of grantmaking and grows the capacity of local nonprofits. Collectively, we can make more of an impact on projects and programs. As the administrator of this program, the OCF will serve as your contact through the grant-seeking process. This program addresses the limited capacity of organizations to apply to multiple funding sources. This fall, applicants will complete one online application, which is reviewed by multiple funders, each with their own funding priorities and focus areas. The Community Grant Program is a one-stop grantmaking source for nonprofit organizations serving Otsego County.
Important dates
August 3 - August 20 at 5pm Application open
August 12 Nonprofit Exchange informational session 8am virtual
September 14 and 15 Reserve for optional Q&A days if reviewers request follow up
Mid/Late October Funding Notifications
November 18 Giving Together Celebration for grantees and funders
DeLayni, OCF Program Manager, will provide support during open office hours, virtual or in person, August 3 - 19 (not 8/5), Mondays 1-2pm and Wednesdays 9-10am. Reach out for a meeting link or come visit her at the office! 5 minutes or the full hour, she is here to help!
Application Types
Seed Grant - Supporting innovation and pilot programs, request limit of $500 - $10,000
Expansion Grant - Supporting growth and impact, request limit of $500 - $10,000
Sustaining (Multi-Year) Grant - Supporting general operations to ensure ongoing program stability, request of $5,000 each year for 3 years to total $15,000 by 2028
How do I know what grant I should apply for?
We recommend applying for a seed grant if.... this is a new project or a one time event for your organization, an OCF grant is a small portion of the overall project, and/or you have not applied to OCF before.
Apply for an expansion grant if... an OCF grant would help maintain a current program or project and/or a one time purchase supports the continued success of the organization.
Apply for a sustaining grant if... general operating support is a priority for organizational growth and future planning, and there is a strong relationship with OCF of at least 3 years.
Still unsure? Call or email DeLayni and let's chat about your proposal!
How to Apply
After determining what grant best fits your organization, submit that request in the online grant portal. Link for that will go live on August 3rd. If this is your first time in the portal, you will need to create a new account. Click this link for a user guide.
To access a sample PDF version of the application, click here.
Funding Partners
We are proud to partner with the following organizations for the Community Grant Program in 2026: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, Drzewiecki Agency/ Meemic Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Gaylord, Otsego County United Way, Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society, Hees Family Foundation, and Rotary Club of Gaylord. Each funding partner makes its own decisions about which projects to support based on available funds and funding priorities.
Contact us
Any questions can be directed to DeLayni Brown at delayni@otsegofoundation.org.
Adapt Grants
Available through quarter 3, adapt grants are designed to fund projects that are small in scale, meet an unanticipated need, explore new opportunities, and grow capacity. These grants are meant to be flexible and support you in adapting to changing needs, so whether you're dreaming up a new project that could use seed or matching support, or are tackling a challenge that popped up suddenly, we want to support you in executing your day-to-day mission. Compared to the Community Grant Program "big rocks", we consider these to be "pebble" projects. Both are important for advancing one's mission. Funding requests may range from $500 to $2,500.
Application calendar
| Submit by | Funding decision by |
| January 15 | February 15 |
| April 15 | May 15 |
| July 15 | August 15 |
| Q4 closed | Q4 grants defer to Community Grant Program application |
How to apply
Beginning Wednesday, December 17th, the application will be live in the online grant portal. Please only fill out one application a quarter. You are able to apply for an Adapt Grant and the Community Grant Program in the same year.
A sample version of the application can be found here.
Follow this link for the online grant portal.
If this is your first time in the portal, click this link for a user guide.
Contact us
Any questions can be directed to DeLayni Brown at delayni@otsegofoundation.org.