Who can apply?

The Rico Center helps fund lots of different types of organizations, projects, programs and even start-ups!  They all have one thing in common which is that they have a goal of  bettering the Rico community and the lives of people living here.  Successful applicants present well-thought out, budgeted, community supported plans with clear and measurable impact goals.

Does my project qualify?

Your project qualifies if it meets the following four criteria:

• Conducts activity and programs consistent with The Rico Center’s mission and purpose.
• Serves people living or working in the Rico area, to benefit the community and not a specific individual.
• Qualifies as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code or operates as a local government or one of their subsidiaries, or has an arrangement with a qualifying fiscal agent.
• Provides a sound and well-researched business plan demonstrating fiscal responsibility and long-term viability.

How do I apply for a grant?

Complete this application between August 1 and October 31!

What are the important deadlines to know?

There are a lot of dates to remember.  Here is an example: If you are interested in applying for a grant for calendar year 2025….

• You must apply for the grant by October 31, 2024. We begin accepting grant applications on August 1, 2024.
• You will find out no later than January 31, 2025 if you have been awarded your grant.
• If you are awarded a grant, the grant report is due September 30, 2025. 
• If you have not used all of your funds by this date, a final report is due January 15, 2026.

What is a grant report?

A grant report summarizes the accomplishments of your organization.  It looks at measurable goals and allows you the opportunity to explain how this funding helped execute your project/program. Grant reporting shows Rico Center and Rico taxpayers that their money was used wisely and you are ensuring the impact this grant had will continue.

How is the Rico Center funded?

Through taxpayer dollars!  Click here to read more.

What is a fiscal agent?

A fiscal agent is an established IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that agrees to accept donations on behalf of a group that does not have IRS tax exemption. The Rico Center can only grant monies to organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status. We highly encourage awardees applying for long-term community programs or projects to register their organization as an IRS 501(c)(3), otherwise known as a charitable organization. There are exceptions, for example, a short-term program or project for which the creation of a charitable organization does not make sense or programs or projects that clearly work in conjunction with an operating 501(c)(3). In these cases, the applicant can work with an operating 501(c)(3) as their fiscal agent to accept the award on their behalf. Arrangements for collection of the award are between the fiscal agent and the awardee.

If I don’t use my award, can I roll it over to the next year?

We do not allow organizations to rollover unused funds.  We have made exceptions in the past, like during Covid in 2020.  If you do not use your funds in the year they were awarded, best practice is to return unused funds to the Rico Center and apply for a new grant for the following year.