The Ripley County Community Foundation aims to serve the community by providing grants to nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit Ripley County. They focus on adapting to community needs, supporting change-oriented projects, ensuring the most benefit per dollar granted, utilizing matching grants, and valuing organizational strength and community support.
The Ripley County Community Foundation Grants Program guides principles to anticipate and adapt to the community's changing needs, providing flexible responses. The program is designed to be change-oriented, focusing on problem-solving with a preference for seed money or pilot project support, although it is open to considering general operating support grants. It seeks to maximize the benefits derived from grants awarded and encourages leveraging additional funds through matching and challenge grants. The program considers the organization's financial condition, effectiveness, community support, leadership qualities, and the clarity and eligibility of the proposal. Additionally, it includes a Small Projects Grant component, offering up to $1,000 for organizations' needs that arise during the calendar year, with organizations being eligible to apply for one Small and one Large Projects Grant annually.