Liberty Bank Foundation – Local & Strategic Impact Grants (2027)
Grants of $2,500–$25,000 Supporting Education, Workforce Readiness, Small Business, Affordable Housing, and Food Security
Liberty Bank Foundation is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations working to strengthen communities served by Liberty Bank.
For 2027, the Foundation offers two primary grant opportunities: Local Impact Grants, typically ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, and Strategic Impact Grants, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000.
Funding priorities include education, workforce readiness, support for small business, affordable housing, and food security.
Organizations may submit only one funding request per calendar year, so applicants should carefully select the grant opportunity that best matches their project.
Organization: Liberty Bank Foundation
Support Type: Charitable grants
Geographic Focus: Communities served by Liberty Bank
Funding Amount: $2,500–$25,000 depending on grant program
Next Deadline: February 1, 2027
Additional Cycle: September 1, 2027
About the Funder
Established in 1997, Liberty Bank Foundation extends Liberty Bank’s longstanding commitment to strengthening the communities it serves.
The Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations working to expand opportunity, increase financial and housing stability, strengthen education and workforce pathways, and address important local needs.
Since 1997, Liberty Bank Foundation has provided more than $22 million in community support. In 2025 alone, the Foundation awarded more than $2.3 million to local nonprofit organizations.
What This Program Supports
Liberty Bank Foundation concentrates its grantmaking in several key areas.
Education, Workforce Readiness & Support for Small Business
The Foundation supports programs that help students and adults develop skills, confidence, and pathways toward future success.
Examples may include:
- K-12 academic programs
- College and career readiness
- Adult workforce development
- Job training
- Career preparation
- Entrepreneurial support organizations
- Programs helping entrepreneurs and small businesses build capacity and succeed
Affordable Housing
Funding supports efforts that increase housing stability and help individuals and families access safe, affordable housing.
Examples may include:
- Low- and moderate-income housing development
- Technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers
- Affordable and supportive housing education
- Foreclosure prevention
- Homeowner counseling
- Homebuyer education
- Landlord education serving low- and moderate-income individuals
Food Security
Liberty Bank Foundation provides a limited number of grants to support the primary food pantry or soup kitchen in communities where Liberty Bank operates.
The Foundation’s primary initiative for addressing food insecurity is the Liberty Bank Rotary Club Thanksgiving Drive, so traditional food-security grants are more limited than funding in its other priority areas.
Local Impact Grants
Local Impact Grants provide smaller awards for short-term projects that can move quickly and demonstrate a clear community benefit.
These grants are designed to provide a relatively simple and accessible funding opportunity for nonprofit partners whose projects align with Foundation priorities.
Typical Award: $2,500–$5,000
Projects should generally be completed within 6–9 months.
Spring 2027 Cycle
📅 Application Deadline: February 1, 2027
📅 Funding Decision: Approximately four weeks after the deadline
Fall 2027 Cycle
📅 Application Deadline: September 1, 2027
📅 Funding Decision: Approximately four weeks after the deadline
The short application requires basic organizational information, proof of nonprofit status, a brief project description, and project or program budget.
Requests greater than $5,000 but less than $10,000 should still be submitted through the Local Impact Grant process, although awards generally will not exceed $5,000.
Strategic Impact Grants
Strategic Impact Grants provide larger awards for projects or initiatives with the potential for more significant community impact.
Funding Range: $10,000–$25,000
The process begins with a Letter of Interest (LOI).
The LOI should describe:
- The organization
- Proposed project or initiative
- Community need being addressed
- Expected outcomes
- Alignment with Foundation funding priorities
- Amount requested
Organizations whose LOIs align with Foundation priorities may be invited to submit a full proposal.
Spring 2027 Cycle
📅 LOI Deadline: February 1, 2027
📅 LOI Decision: Approximately two weeks after the deadline
📅 Invited Full Proposal Deadline: March 15, 2027
Fall 2027 Cycle
📅 LOI Deadline: September 1, 2027
📅 LOI Decision: Approximately two weeks after the deadline
📅 Invited Full Proposal Deadline: October 15, 2027
Submitting a Strategic Impact Grant LOI counts as the organization’s one Foundation funding request for the calendar year, even if the organization is not invited to submit a full proposal.
2027 Request for Proposals
Liberty Bank Foundation is also planning an additional Request for Proposals (RFP) for 2027.
Full details, including the focus, funding amounts, application timeline, and review process, are expected to be announced in January 2027.
Organizations should note that applying through the RFP will also count toward the Foundation’s limit of one funding request per organization per calendar year.
Organizations interested in the upcoming RFP may therefore want to review those details before applying for a Local or Strategic Impact Grant.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations classified as public charities
- Municipal agencies when the proposed project is solely for public purposes
Organizations and programs must operate in communities served by Liberty Bank.
The Foundation generally prefers to support specific programs rather than unrestricted organizational needs.
Ineligible Requests
Liberty Bank Foundation does not generally fund:
- Annual fundraisers or campaigns
- Event sponsorships, tables, tickets, or event underwriting
- Advocacy or lobbying
- Partisan political activities or campaigns
- Community, cultural, or recreational festivals
- Animal welfare causes
- Childcare or daycare agencies
- Grants to individuals
- Private scholarships or tuition assistance
- Civic organizations
- Debt reduction or deficit financing
- Emergency financial assistance to individuals
- Endowments or reserve funds
- Fundraising activities such as golf tournaments and road races
- Programs serving a very limited number of individuals
- Pilot programs, start-ups, or untested new initiatives
- Research or feasibility studies
- Trips, tours, conferences, or travel
- Regranting or pass-through organizations
- National organizations without meaningful local presence or impact in Liberty Bank communities
Religious organizations generally are not eligible unless the request supports a non-sectarian, broad-based community program.
The Foundation is not accepting capital campaign requests at this time.
One Request Per Year
Organizations should pay particular attention to Liberty Bank Foundation’s annual application restriction.
Each organization may submit only:
One Foundation funding request per calendar year.
This restriction applies across:
- Local Impact Grants
- Strategic Impact Grants
- The 2027 RFP
Organizations should therefore determine which opportunity offers the strongest match before submitting an application.
Application / Request Process
Applications must be submitted through Liberty Bank Foundation’s online grants portal.
Local Impact Grant applicants complete a relatively short application.
Strategic Impact Grant applicants begin with a Letter of Interest and submit a full proposal only if invited.
Applicants should review the Foundation’s current grant guidelines before applying to confirm eligibility and program alignment.
Apply / Learn More
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
Liberty Bank Foundation is particularly relevant for nonprofits that:
- Operate in communities served by Liberty Bank
- Serve low- and moderate-income individuals and families
- Provide education or workforce development programs
- Help individuals prepare for college or careers
- Support entrepreneurs or small businesses
- Address affordable housing and housing stability
- Operate a primary food pantry or soup kitchen in a Liberty Bank community
- Have a clearly defined project with measurable outcomes
The availability of both smaller $2,500–$5,000 Local Impact Grants and larger $10,000–$25,000 Strategic Impact Grants allows organizations to pursue funding appropriate to the scope and complexity of their programs.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Category: Charitable Giving
Next Deadline: February 1, 2027
Fall Deadline: September 1, 2027
Local Impact Grants: Typically $2,500–$5,000
Strategic Impact Grants: $10,000–$25,000
Geographic Focus: Communities served by Liberty Bank
Focus Areas: Education, Workforce Readiness, Small Business Support, Affordable Housing, Food Security
Application Limit: One Foundation funding request per organization per calendar year
2027 RFP: Details expected January 2027
Best Suited For: Nonprofits serving Liberty Bank communities with established programs creating measurable benefits for low- and moderate-income individuals and families