Who Can Apply for a Grant

Burton D. Morgan Foundation provides grant funding to organizations that promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education, primarily in Northeast Ohio.  Grants are made to organizations classified as public charities and tax exempt under 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.  The Foundation does not provide grants to individuals or startup ventures.

Burton D. Morgan Foundation Staff and Trustees will be focused on strategic planning in 2023.  While we develop our new strategic direction, grantmaking will continue to be largely proactive.  We plan to make few new grants in 2023.  Please visit our Grant Focus web pages to gain a better understanding of the Foundation’s funding priorities.  According to our usual process, applicants must contact the Grants & Communications Manager at gdotson@bdmorganfdn.org  to discuss their request before applying.

We anticipate that a direction will begin to emerge from our strategic planning in late 2023 and we look forward to sharing that with you. 

How to Apply for a Grant

  • Grant Requests Greater than $20,000 (Entrepreneurship-Focused and Hudson Community)

Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year, but are subject to Application Deadlines that will determine which board meeting they are brought to for review and decision. If you would like to submit a grant application, you should first contact your Program Officer or Grants & Communications Manager, Gina Dotson, by phone (330-655-1369) or email (gdotson@bdmorganfdn.org) to discuss your plans and timing of request. 

Once you have been instructed by Foundation staff to apply for a grant, you may submit an Application though the online GOapply system (click on Important Links at the bottom of the page.)

  • Grant Requests $20,000 or Less (Entrepreneurship-Focused)

Applications for grants of $20,000 or less may be submitted at any time and are NOT subject to deadlines.  They will be  evaluated on a rolling basis, which will typically take four to six weeks.  If you would like to submit a grant application, you should first contact your Program Officer or Grants & Communications Manager, Gina Dotson, by phone (330-655-1369) or email (gdotson@bdmorganfdn.org) to discuss your plans and timing of request.

  • Grant Requests $20,000 or Less (Hudson Community)

Applications for grants of $20,000 or less for Hudson projects must be submitted prior to two annual deadlines - May 1 and September 1.  A decision will be made and communicated within four to six weeks of the deadline.  If you have not received a Foundation grant in the past three years, you should first contact Grants & Communications Manager, Gina Dotson, by phone (330-655-1369) or email (gdotson@bdmorganfdn.org) to discuss your plans and timing of request.

Once you have been instructed by Foundation staff to apply for a grant, you may submit an Application though the online GOapply system (click on Important Links at the bottom of the page.)

Application Instructions

Through the Foundation's online GOapply portal, complete the brief Grant Application.  It can be viewed HERE but must be uploaded through the GOapply system (see Important Links below to access eGrant.)  This form is used for grant requests of all sizes and all types.

You will be instructed to attach one of the following:  Adult Entrepreneurship Application Attachment, Collegiate Entrepreneurship Application Attachment, Youth Entrepreneurship Application Attachment, Special Application Attachment  (for Hudson requests), or a customized question set provided to you by Foundation staff.  Please complete one of the above and submit as an attachment with your application. 

Please be aware of the Foundation’s Application Deadlines.  When a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the Application is due by 5:00 pm on the following business day.

Morgan Scout Fund

The Morgan Scout Fund was established by the Foundation in 2019 to encourage proactive and innovative solutions to gaps in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Opportunities under the Morgan Scout Fund umbrella will be posted here as they become available.

Entrepreneurs Can Apply Now for the Big Rock Valley Leadership Cohort

Burton D. Morgan Foundation is partnering with Edward Lowe Foundation to provide an exceptional growth opportunity to 20 leaders of second-stage companies based in Northeast Ohio. 

If selected, you will join a cohort of your peers and attend the Big Rock Valley Leadership Retreat in Michigan, March 21 -23, 2023.  Post-retreat, your cohort provides a confidential forum for members to meet virtually to share their challenges and experiences and enhance their leadership capabilities.  We are looking for founders and entrepreneurs with an attitude and an aptitude for growth.  Expenses to attend the leadership retreat will be paid for by Burton D. Morgan Foundation.

If you are interested and meet the criteria, please complete this form by January 11, 2023, and email it to Gina Dotson at  gdotson@bdmorganfdn.org.  Expand form as needed to accommodate your responses.

Grant Review

Applications will be reviewed by a program officer.  At his or her discretion, the program officer may schedule an interview, site visit, or both, with the grant seeker.

Questions

If you have any questions about the grant application process or the GOapply application submission portal, please contact Gina Dotson, Grants & Communications Manager, at 330-655-1369 or gdotson@bdmorganfdn.org.

Important Links

*Note: As of May 31, 2022, grant applications must be submitted through our new application portal, GOapply.  eGrant may not be utilized for new applications after May 31, 2022 but will still be available here to view previous application submissions.

If you need to include additional attachments with your application that are not requested on the application form, email them with a note to the Grants Manager at gdotson@bdmorganfdn.org.