Grants
Grants
The Carleton F. & Ruth T. Davidson Trust makes discretionary grants to nonprofit organizations serving the people of Clark County, Ohio. Established in September 1987 as part of the estate plan of local businessman, philanthropist and World War I veteran Carleton F. Davidson, the Trust exists to improve life in Springfield and Clark County through investment in community non-profit groups.
At a Glance
- Applications available: February 15, 2026
- Proposal deadline: November 30, 2026
- Decisions: response letters mailed or distributed by the third week of December
- Typical award: $5,000 – $15,000
- How to apply: electronically, through our online application
Who Can Apply
To be considered for a discretionary grant, your organization must:
- Serve the people of Clark County, Ohio
- Be a tax-exempt non-profit with a 501(c)(3) classification from the IRS
- Have a governing board
Your organization must hold its own 501(c)(3) — the Trust cannot fund organizations applying under the umbrella of another non-profit. We encourage each organization to apply for one grant per year.
What We Do Not Fund
The Carleton F. & Ruth T. Davidson Trust does not fund individuals, churches, legislative action groups, annual fundraising campaigns, scholarships, fraternal groups or political groups and issues.
What to Submit
- A completed electronic application
- A copy of your 501(c)(3) letter from the IRS
- An audited financial statement
- A list of your governing board
- A completed Budget Form, or your budget in another format you already use
Before You Apply
Read the full Grant Guidelines for requirements, exceptions and the grant schedule. Our Best Practices page covers what makes a strong request, and the Frequently Asked Questions answer what applicants ask most often.
Because of the number of applications we receive, we are not able to give grant status information over the phone. We ask that you wait until the dates indicated to receive further information. Funding information is distributed approximately the third week of December.