Licking County Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4.6 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycles for capital grants
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $25,000+ (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Licking County, Ohio

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.thelcfoundation.org
• Phone: 740.349.3863
• Email: grants@thelcfoundation.org
• Program Officer, Grants & Capacity Building: Bobby Persinger - 740.349.3863 x113
• Program Officer, Education & Scholarship: Amy Dell - 740.349.3863 x108
• Address: 30 N 2nd St, Newark, OH 43055

Overview

The Licking County Foundation is a highly-rated community foundation established in 2002, serving Licking County, Ohio. With nearly $130 million in assets and almost 350 charitable funds, the Foundation disbursed $4.6 million to 163 unique Licking County organizations in 2024. Rated 96% by Charity Navigator with a Four-Star rating, the Foundation has embraced trust-based philanthropy since the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing relationships, systemic equity, and collaborative impact. Under the leadership of President Mike Schmidt (appointed 2023), the Foundation has expanded its strategic initiatives including a $2.1 million investment in affordable housing and the creation of the Livable Licking County Fund to support infrastructure development related to regional economic growth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Community Grant Program: Competitive discretionary grants for nonprofits and governmental entities (application by invitation after inquiry submission)
• Capital Grant Program: Quarterly review cycles (March, June, September, December) - first-come, first-served within each quarter
• Strategic Discretionary Grant Program: Strategic initiatives aligned with Foundation priorities
• Training Grants: Up to $2,000 for professional development (preference given to first-time applicants)
• Women United Funding: Up to $2,000 per project
• Donor Advised Funds: Minimum $25,000 over 5 years
• Field of Interest Funds: Minimum $10,000

Priority Areas

The Foundation sets annual priority and focus areas through their strategic planning process. Core funding areas include:

• Community development and capacity building
• Education and youth services
• Health and human services
• Arts and culture
• Environmental initiatives
• Affordable housing and infrastructure

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations not serving Licking County
• Needs falling outside annually identified priority/focus areas
• Complete exclusions list available in Discretionary Grant Program Guidelines

Governance and Leadership

President: Mike Schmidt, CFRE (since October 2023) - 27+ years experience in philanthropy

Key Staff:

• Dean Busack, CPA - Vice President of Finance and Operations
• Bobby Persinger - Program Officer, Grants & Capacity Building
• Amy Dell - Program Officer, Education and Scholarship
• Connie Hawk - Strategic Initiatives Director
• Jennie Dawes - Donor Services Officer
• Leslie Bline - Donor Services and Communications Manager

2025 Governing Committee Chair: Warren Weber

Mike Schmidt on the Foundation's approach: "The cornerstone of this whole project is partnership, it's bringing groups together, working with others – that's the secret sauce for Licking County; that's what's making this all work so well."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Community Grant Program:

   • Submit Community Grant Inquiry Application online
   • Grant Review Committee invites select organizations to submit full proposal
   • Committee evaluation and recommendations to Governing Committee
   • Final approval by Governing Committee
   • Online portal: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/60487-Licking-County-Foundation

2. Capital Grant Program:

   • Apply during quarterly windows (first month of each quarter)
   • Applications accepted until funds exhausted
   • One-year grant period from funding date

3. Pre-Application Requirements:

   • Review Grant Guidelines
   • Review Frequently Asked Questions for Grantseekers
   • Review "Preparing A Good Proposal" document
   • Contact Program Officer with questions

Decision Timeline

• Capital Grants: Quarterly reviews in March, June, September, December
• Community Grants: Timeline varies based on inquiry submission
• Training Grants: Rolling basis

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly disclosed. In 2024, the Foundation made grants to 163 unique organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Specific policy for unsuccessful applicants not publicly documented. Training Grant recipients may reapply but preference given to first-time applicants. Foundation encourages continued dialogue through grants@thelcfoundation.org.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's trust-based philanthropy approach and documented preferences:

• Align with annual strategic priorities: Review the Foundation's current year priority areas before applying
• Demonstrate collaborative partnerships: The Foundation values "bringing groups together" as essential for community impact
• Contact Program Officer early: Foundation encourages pre-application consultation with Bobby Persinger or appropriate staff
• Show service to all Licking County: Foundation seeks "greatest impact for all Licking County residents"
• Build ongoing relationships: Foundation emphasizes "continuous engagement with nonprofit community" beyond single transactions
• Prepare thorough proposals: Foundation provides extensive preparation resources - use all available guidelines and FAQs
• Demonstrate systemic impact: Foundation's trust-based approach values addressing root causes and systemic equity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation has shifted to trust-based philanthropy emphasizing relationships over transactional grantmaking - invest time in relationship building before applying
• Contact Program Officer Bobby Persinger (740.349.3863 x113) before submitting applications for guidance
• Capital Grant Program offers quarterly opportunities on first-come basis - apply early in the quarter
• Foundation manages nearly 350 funds - explore alignment with specific field of interest funds beyond general grants
• Strong Charity Navigator rating (96%) indicates rigorous but fair evaluation processes
• Recent $2.1 million affordable housing investment shows willingness to make significant strategic investments
• Foundation values collaborative projects that bring multiple organizations together for greater community impact

References

• Licking County Foundation Official Website - https://www.thelcfoundation.org (accessed February 2025)
• Licking County Foundation 2024 Annual Report - https://www.thelcfoundation.org
• Licking County Foundation 2023 Annual Report - https://www.thelcfoundation.org
• Licking County Foundation 2022 Annual Report - https://www.thelcfoundation.org
• Charity Navigator Profile - Licking County Foundation (accessed February 2025)
• IRS Form 990 Database - EIN 31-1760702
• Foundation Grant Application Portal - https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/60487-Licking-County-Foundation
• Licking County Foundation Grant Guidelines and FAQs - https://www.thelcfoundation.org
• "Mike Schmidt named President of The Licking County Foundation" - Foundation Press Release (2023)