Marietta Community Foundation has announced a new type of grant and expanded its goals for another type.

The MCF created a new category called “Simple Solutuion Grants” which are designated for requests of $1,500 and under.

“Simple Solution grants are more for straightforward requests, such as a youth soccer team needing new uniforms,” Courtney Wentz, MCF Communications and Marketing Director, said. “We don’t have to look through pages and pages of information.”

Wentz said the foundation decided to create this category after noticing a pattern.

“We kept getting smaller requests that didn’t fit our grant cycle,” she said. “With our previous arrangement, people would have to wait longer.”

Simple Solutions grants applications will be accepted throughout the year and reviewed quarterly — March 15, June 15, Sept. 15, and Dec. 15. Determinations will be announced 30-45 days following the review date.

Another change involves the reframing of the Community Impact Grant. Wentz said it previously handled several types of requests, but now has been designated for long term projects.

“Instead of being for any kind of grant request, Community Impact grants do more than simply meet immediate needs — they address the root cause of a problem to create lasting change for future generations,” she said.

Community Impact grant deadlines have been changed to Feb. 15 and Aug. 15. Applicants will be reviewed and grants will be awarded 60-90 days later.

Despite the changes, Wentz said the foundation is committed to serving the community through awarding grants.

“Our grants committee does due diligence to make sure we can meet the request being submitted to us,” she said.