Here at Interfaith Community PADS, we are funded by monetary donations from individuals and local businesses, as well as a variety of grants. Some of these grants are what we call ‘matching grants.’ In fact, if you’ve been following us on Facebook, you’ve probably heard that we’re currently participating in a matching grant from the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte for the Phase 2 remodel of our homeless shelter.
So, what exactly is a matching grant, and how do matching grants work?
In this blog post, we’re going to answer these questions and more.
At ICPADS, we have received matching grants in the past and are looking forward to participating in more in the future! Our community plays a big role in our ability to receive this grant money, so we want you to be well informed.
What Is a Matching Grant?
A matching grant is a grant where the amount of money awarded is conditional on what the organization can also raise in terms of money or in-kind contributions.
In essence, it’s like saying “We’ll give you $X amount if you can also raise $X amount.”
The amount of money that the nonprofit is required to raise will vary depending on the terms of the grant. The organization offering the grant may ask the nonprofit to raise a certain percentage of the total grant award to receive that reward.
How Do Matching Grants Work?
Matching grants require the participation of the whole community because in order to receive the maximum grant funds, a set amount of money must also be raised by the nonprofit organization.
For example, for our current matching grant, the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte will give us $25,000 if we can also raise $25,000. This grant is specifically for the Phase 2 remodel of our homeless shelter, where we will be working on windows and doors. You can learn more about it here.
So, a matching grant means that we need your help! The amount of money we receive will depend on how much we can also raise from our community. Every dollar counts so we’ve set up a GoFundMe page where you can donate online, or you can send a check (with Phase 2 Remodel in the memo) to 1001 W 8th St, Michigan City, IN 46360.
Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly. (1 Chronicles 29:9)
Matching Grants Help Our Work
Matching grants are important to nonprofits in general, and Interfaith Community PADS specifically, because they help us carry out our mission to serve the needs of the homeless in our community.
In fact, the fact that we have a permanent location (Sacred Heart Church on 8th St.) is due in large part to a matching grant!
In 2019/2020 we conducted a capital campaign to raise the funds necessary to rehabilitate the church into a permanent shelter for residents of La Porte County suffering from homeless. The total cost of the renovations was over $425,000, and a large portion of that came from another matching grant from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte.
Matching grants get everyone in the community involved and push our mission forward.
They’ve been a vital part of our work in the past, and will continue to be so in the future as well.
How Can You Participate in a Matching Grant?
To participate in a matching grant, you must donate money to the specific grant cause. General donations do not count. The donor must be specific that the money they are donating is for that specific grant.
This is why we’ve set up a GoFundMe page where you can donate online to our current matching grant, and why donations by check must have “Phase 2 Remodel” in the memo.
Future matching grants would have the same requirement – that the donor must indicate that the money is for that specific grant. You can keep up to date about our matching grants and fundraisers on our Facebook page, and for questions, contact us here.
The success of a matching grant depends largely on the community, and we are blessed to have enthusiastic support from residents of Michigan City and La Porte County. Thank you for your generosity—your donations really do change lives!