Hamilton Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Millions annually (specific amount not disclosed)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Varies by grant program
• Grant Range: $500 - $50,000
• Geographic Focus: Butler County, Ohio (with emphasis on Hamilton, Ross Township, and New Miami)

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.hamiltonfoundation.org
• Phone: 513-863-1717
• Email: info@hamiltonfoundation.org
• Address: 319 North Third Street, Hamilton, OH 45011
• Grant Questions: Tracy Eads, Community Investment Officer

Overview

Established in 1951, Hamilton Community Foundation is the largest community foundation in Butler County, Ohio, managing over $160 million in assets across 900 individual, family, and corporate funds. As a public charity operating in perpetuity, the foundation awards millions in grants and scholarships annually to address critical community needs. The foundation focuses on solving community problems through strategic philanthropic investments, with particular emphasis on social and health issues affecting children and families, education support, and community revitalization. Compliant with National Standards from the Council on Foundations, they provide comprehensive philanthropic services without administrative burdens to donors while maintaining a strong commitment to creating lasting community impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Hamilton Unrestricted Community Grant: Varies (Applications: Jan 1, Mar 1, May 1, Sep 1, Nov 1) - Supports community quality of life, economic vitality, and education
• Youth Philanthropy Committee Grant: Up to $5,000 (Deadline: February 1) - Improves lives of youth in the community
• Women's Fund Grant: Varies (Deadline: March 1) - Promotes social and economic self-sufficiency for women and girls
• HIGHER Fund Grant: $5,000 - $50,000 (Deadline: April 1) - Transforms communities through values-based initiatives with youth focus
• First Financial Community Grant: Up to $40,000 (Deadline: June 1) - Supports neighborhood development, workforce development, education, arts and culture
• Health Services Endowment Grant: Varies (Deadline: June 1) - Supports essential health services and health education
• Michael J. Colligan Grant: Varies (Deadline: October 1) - Supports veterans, historic memorabilia, military/historical speakers, patriotism, parade bands
• Hanover Life Squad Grant: $500 - $10,000 (Rolling basis) - Supports EMS and Fire Services

Priority Areas

• Social and health issues affecting children and families
• Education support at all levels
• Community revitalization and economic vitality
• Youth development and empowerment
• Women's economic self-sufficiency
• Health services and education
• Veterans and patriotic causes
• Emergency services support
• Arts and culture
• Workforce development

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly listed on website - applicants should contact the foundation directly for clarification

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates as a public charity with a Board of Trustees overseeing strategic direction. While specific board member names are not publicly listed on their website, the foundation emphasizes its commitment to community leadership and partnership development. Tracy Eads serves as the Community Investment Officer and primary contact for grant-related inquiries. The foundation states: "We believe that strong nonprofits build stronger communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the foundation's online grant portal. Applicants must:

1. Create an online account with organization details and EIN/Tax ID number
2. Select the appropriate grant opportunity from available programs
3. Complete the application with required documentation
4. Submit by 5 PM on the deadline date

Required documentation includes:

• 501(c)(3) IRS Determination Letter
• Organization Budget
• Project Budget
• Executive Director contact information

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by grant program. The foundation offers multiple application deadlines throughout the year, with the Hamilton Unrestricted Community Grant having five annual deadlines, suggesting relatively quick turnaround times for some programs.

Success Rates

Success rates and specific number of grants awarded annually are not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies not specified on website - unsuccessful applicants should contact the foundation for guidance

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach:

• Alignment with specific grant program focus areas is critical - carefully match your project to the appropriate grant opportunity
• Projects should demonstrate clear community impact, particularly in Hamilton, Ross Township, or New Miami for location-specific grants
• The foundation values partnerships and collaborative approaches to solving community problems
• Youth-focused initiatives receive priority consideration for the HIGHER Fund
• Organizations can preview grant questions before applying through the Grant Preview Portal
• Applications must be submitted by 5 PM on deadline dates - late submissions are not accepted
• Use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browsers for the online portal (not Internet Explorer)
• Save application drafts frequently as the system logs out after 90 minutes of inactivity
• Consider adding a collaborator to help review and complete your application
• Organizations using fiscal sponsors are eligible to apply

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Multiple grant opportunities throughout the year with varying deadlines provide flexibility in application timing
• Grant amounts range significantly ($500 to $50,000) with programs tailored to different project scales
• Geographic focus is strongly Butler County-centric, with particular emphasis on Hamilton, Ross Township, and New Miami
• The foundation manages over $160 million in assets, indicating substantial capacity for grant-making
• Youth, education, and community health are consistent themes across multiple grant programs
• The foundation operates in perpetuity, suggesting stable, long-term funding availability
• Online application system with preview capability allows thorough preparation before submission

References

• Hamilton Community Foundation Official Website: https://www.hamiltonfoundation.org (Accessed January 2026)
• Hamilton Community Foundation About Page: https://www.hamiltonfoundation.org/about (Accessed January 2026)
• Hamilton Community Foundation Nonprofits Section: https://www.hamiltonfoundation.org/nonprofits (Accessed January 2026)
• Hamilton Community Foundation How to Apply: https://www.hamiltonfoundation.org/nonprofits/how-to-apply (Accessed January 2026)
• Hamilton Community Foundation Grant Opportunities: https://www.hamiltonfoundation.org/nonprofits/grant-opportunities (Accessed January 2026)