Grants

Introduction

The Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation reaches out to both businesses and residents to help fund programs that strengthen the City's wide range of cultural, educational and recreational activities.

The Foundation was formed as an independent non-profit 501 (c) (3) entity in 1991. A city resident desired to make a significant contribution to the city but was advised that he would not garner the tax advantages he sought. The City Manager at the time studied the issue and learned that an autonomous Community Foundation would solve the problem as the community would benefit while the donor would receive maximal tax advantages by contributing to the Community Foundation.

The Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation has sponsored numerous projects since that time that have tremendously benefited the City and its residents and businesses. Through the end of year 2021 the Foundation has invested over $1.3 million dollars in projects benefitting area residents. The Foundation hosts approximately 30 Endowment Funds that generate earnings for communal projects in perpetuity.

The goals of the Foundation are:

  • Initiate and coordinate functions and activities in the Sterling Heights area to enhance the quality of life of citizens
  • Award grants and/or support projects that are in accordance with the Foundation's purpose (cultural, educational, and recreational realms)
  • Acquire, improve and preserve historical areas, public facilities, and parks and recreational areas of Sterling Heights
  • Offer tax benefits to the Foundations' contributors
  • Develop civic leadership and initiate civic action

The Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation gives priority consideration in its funding commitments to organizations and programs in Sterling Heights. We invite qualified, nonprofit organizations to submit proposals that respond to the criteria and priorities outlined in these guidelines. The following sections will help you determine if your organization is qualified to submit an application to apply for a grant.

Program Focus

We are interested in supporting programs in the Sterling Heights area that build or strengthen cultural, educational and recreational activities and contribute to making Sterling Heights an attractive place to work, live and play. We concentrate our support on programs that expand the appreciation of education, arts, culture and recreation.

If your organization previously received a charitable donation from the Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation, please understand that our continuing support should not be relied upon and cannot be guaranteed inasmuch as all funding requests are independently reviewed based on available funds reviewed on a yearly basis. We are aware that the competition for contributions in every form is increasing. This also means that we continue to receive many more requests for support than we can possibly fulfill. We do give every appropriate request a fair review. We hope that you will take time to consider how your program fits into our guidelines before you submit a proposal.