2025 Alma Taylor Foundation Grant Cycle

DEADLINE FOR 2025 ATF GRANT SUBMISSION: Friday, December 20, 2024.

Grant Information and Guidelines

1. The Alma Taylor Foundation grant program provides reimbursement of grant funds to approved applicants for work done on commercial buildings in the Historic Downtown District.
2. There is a lifetime maximum grant award of $20,000 per building address. If other projects for that address were completed earlier with ATF grant funds, those previous amounts have been deducted from the original $20,000 maximum per address amount. Please check with the ATF Board regarding the amount of funds currently available for your building address.
3. The grant funds are a 50% reimbursement of the project’s total cost. For example, if a project’s final expenses are $14,250.00, the reimbursed amount would be $7,125.00. That amount is then deducted from the $20,000 maximum per address. If part of the $20,000 has already been used for earlier grant projects, the $7,125.00 is deducted from the remaining available balance.
   If there is not enough in the address’s balance to cover the entire reimbursement, only the remaining balance of funds can be used. For example, if there is only $4,000 of the initial $20,000 remaining for that building address, the grant applicant cannot collect the entire $7,125.00 amount for the current project. They can only collect the remaining $4,000. Again, please check with the ATF Board regarding the amount of funds currently available for the building address prior to starting the project.
4. The grant applicant (business owner or building owner) must first pay the approved project’s entire final expenses and submit paid receipts before receiving any grant reimbursements.
   After the owner has paid the full cost of the project and submitted paid receipts, the ATF Treasurer will reimburse the owner for the approved grant amount which cannot exceed 50% of the full cost of the project up to $20,000, or any remaining amount available of the $20,000 maximum per address amount.

Eligibility

1. The grant applicant must be the owner of record or contract purchaser of a commercial building located in the Greensburg Historic Downtown District. A commercial building is defined as being a building used for commercial purposes and not for residential (including residential rentals), church-related, or other purposes. If the building is of mixed use, only the commercial portion of the building is eligible for a grant.
2. If the grant applicant is the commercial business owner, the building owner must also sign the grant application to verify their knowledge of and approval of the proposed project to the commercial area.

Approved Uses of Grant Proceeds

1. The grant program is designed to encourage the maintenance and improvement of commercial buildings located in the Greensburg Historic Downtown District with an emphasis on the preservation of historic building features that contribute to the distinctive character of Historic Downtown Greensburg.
2. Grant proceeds can be used for exterior structure renovation, interior modifications, and/or improvements designed to protect and enhance the buildings. Mechanical systems such as heating/air conditioning, plumbing and electrical are eligible for the grant program. Visible exterior improvement such as storefront renovations, doors, awnings, landscaping, architectural cornice restoration, and replacement windows are also eligible.
3. Grant funds cannot be used for the purchase of interior décor such as wall paint or floor coverings, display units, furniture, or any equipment used in the daily operation of the business. Grant funds are not available for working capital, property acquisition, or refinancing existing debt.

Grant Application Submission and Review

1. Grant applications are subject to approval by the ATF Board. The owner cannot start the grant project until notice of the project approval is received, in writing, from the ATF Board Secretary. Special exception on the project start date will be given in the case of emergency repairs such as: repairs to leaking roofs, unexpected heating or air conditioning malfunctions, or vandalism. Notice of the emergency must be given during the initial contact for approval.
2. The application must be submitted online using the ATF’s official 2025 Application Form and in compliance with the published deadlines. Upon receipt of an application, the ATF Board may schedule a meeting of the Board of Directors where applications may be presented for review. The ATF may deny a grant application for any reason or for no reason.
3. The Board may not be held responsible for statements made by individual Board members outside the Board meetings.
4. Building permits and other requirements of the City of Greensburg Engineering, Planning and Zoning, Decatur County, or State of Indiana are the sole responsibility of the property owner.

Distribution of Grant Funds

1. Grant funds will be distributed upon successful completion of the project as specified in the approved application.
2. Any project deviations or changes will void the grant award unless the deviations or changes are approved by the ATF Board.
3. Projects must be completed, including submitting itemized invoices showing proof of full payment and copies of cancelled checks, to the ATF Treasurer within twelve months of application approval. No Exceptions. Failure to complete the project within twelve months will void the grant award.
4. If circumstances beyond the control of the applicant cause the completion date to be extended, the applicant is permitted to apply for an extension. The ATF Board may grant an extension to the applicant not to exceed three months.

Grant Application

1. The actual grant application is an online submission form that is to be completed by the grant applicant.
2. Online signatures will be considered legally binding.
3. When completed, the online grant application is automatically forwarded to the ATF grant committee.
4. Deadline for 2025 ATF Grant Submission: Friday, December 20, 2024.
5. Click HERE for the Grant Application Form.