Grants
The Defiance Area Foundation is a public charitable organization created by citizens of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in Defiance County. Grants support a variety of programs in the fields of education, social services, physical and mental health, community affairs, animal welfare and the arts.
Submission Deadlines:
March 31 (Approved by Trustees in April)
September 30 (Approved by Trustees in October)
Grants are awarded twice during the year. Proposals need to be received by midnight on the application deadline in order to be considered for that cycle. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday the proposals need to be received by midnight the Friday before the deadline.
Grants seekers (schools, churches, 501©3 and government agencies) are encouraged to ask for not more than 25% of their total project if their total project exceeds $10,000. If project total is below $10,000, the grant seeker should use their discretion, with the understanding that the DAF usually does not support the entire funding of the project or program. Additionally, the DAF typically does not make more than a $25,000 grant for any one organization in one fiscal year.
The Defiance Area Foundation uses the GoApply software. To determine if you are eligible for a grant, please review the grant guidelines. To apply for a grant, click the Apply Now button to register and submit your grant application. Please provide all the requested information on the grant application.
If you have questions prior to submitting your application, please call (419 )782-3130.
Where do Grant Dollars Come From?
The grants we award are made possible through the generosity of our donors. A significant portion of our grant funding comes from our Defiance Area Foundation Community Fund, which is supported by individuals and organizations who want to meet the changing needs of our area. In addition, we’re able to distribute grants through more than 15 unrestricted family funds that have been established under our Foundation’s umbrella.
These flexible funds allow us to respond to a wide range of community needs, both now and in the future.
Are you ready to make a lasting impact?
Grants Awarded 2023-2024
The Defiance Area Foundation awards grants from a variety of funds that reflect the charitable interests of its donors and the diverse needs of Defiance County. Since inception, nearly nine million dollars has been distributed to local charitable organizations making life better in our area.
Andrew Tuttle Memorial Museum
Avenues for Autism
Ayersville Athletic Boosters
Ayersville High School
Bottoms Up Diaper Drive
Center for Child and Family Advocacy
Central Local School District
Central Shares
Children’s Lantern, Inc.
Christmas Cruise Thru
Christmas For Kids/ FM 98.1
City of Defiance
City of Defiance, Tuttle Museum Account
Clothes for Kids
Clothes for Kids Fund
Community Health Professionals
CPC Women’s Health Resource
DASH
Defiance Area Foundation
Defiance Area YMCA
Defiance Bark and Run Park
Defiance Baseball Association
Defiance City School Foundation
Defiance College
Defiance College Annual Fund
Defiance Community Cultural Council
Defiance County 4-H Advisory Council
Defiance County Ag Society
Defiance County Commissioners
Defiance County DD
Defiance County Economic Development
Defiance County Furniture Bank
Defiance County Historical Society
Defiance County Senior Services
Defiance Development and Visitor’s Bureau
Defiance Dream Center, Inc.
Defiance Elementary School
Defiance High School
Defiance Rotary Foundation
Defiance Softball Association
Defiance Youth Football
Diocese of Toledo
Evansport Veterans Fireworks Association
Fairview Acme Baseball
Fairview Elementary
Fairview High School
Fairview Schools Fund
Family Christian Center
Farmer Fire Association
First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs
Fort Defiance Humane Society
Fort Defiance Players
Friends of Independence Dam State Park
Friends of the Defiance Public Library
Friends of the Sherwood Library
Hebron Ministries
Hicksville Police Department
Highland Twp Fire Dept Association
Historic Homes of Defiance
Historic South Initiative
Holy Cross Catholic School
Huber Opera House
Jewell Volunteer Fire Association
Kaitlyn’s Cottage
KAVIC, Inc.
Kaylee Dickinson
Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio
LifePoint Church
Lifewise Academy
Lifewise-Central Local
Lifewise-Tinora
Lily Creek Farms
Marshalls Mountain Inc.
New Horizons Academy at Sara’s Garden
Northwest Ohio Youth Outdoors, Inc.
One Step at a Time
Paulding County Area Foundation
Paulding Exempted Character Academy
Pharaohz Riding Club
ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital
ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital Foundation
RAVENS Care Inc.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio
Sandy Cay, Inc.
Sarah’s House
Sauder Village
Sherwood Community Fire Company
Sherwood Methodist Church
Sight Conservation of Defiance County, Inc
South Richland Volunteer Fire Department
St. John Lutheran School
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
St. Mary’s Church
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Stand For Truth
Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women, Inc.
The Foundation Fund
The Victory Center
Tinora High School
Trees of Life, Inc
Trinity United Methodist Church
United Way of Defiance County
Village of Hicksville
Washington Evangelical Free Church
Women’s Giving Circle
Zion’s Lutheran Church