Indiana Grants

The Montgomery County Community Foundation (MCCF) in Indiana offers grants to new or existing nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County, focusing on areas such as art, culture, community development, education, health, and youth services, with applications also accepted from local governmental entities for charitable purposes.

The Community Good Grants Program provides funding requests once a year according to its grant cycle. These grants are intended to support a wide variety of needs within Knox County, including one-time project support, additional support, or expansions of initial projects. The funding is made possible through Community Good Unrestricted Funds and Field of Interest Funds. Applications for the 2024 cycle are accepted from August 1, 2024, through September 11, 2024, with a deadline at noon. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) and 509(a) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies serving Knox County. Nonprofit organizations not classified as 501(c)(3) public charities may be considered if the project is charitable and supports a community need, potentially requiring a fiscal sponsor.

This fund provides financial assistance to families in Rush County with children diagnosed with autism, as well as support for educators working with these children, to enhance their services and resources.

Community Grants and Field of Interest Grants offer funding for various community-focused projects. The Community Grants require a Letter of Intent (LOI) submitted before the application, with deadlines of May 1st and September 1st for Cycles I and II, respectively. Approved applicants must submit their full application by May 15th or September 15th. Field of Interest Grants have separate deadlines, typically March 1st or September 1st. The foundation prioritizes charitable purposes and requires that non-501(c)(3) organizations either find a fiscal sponsor or comply with strict IRS regulations if funded.

This fund provides financial support for community programs in Rush County, Indiana, that promote mental health and social well-being for local residents.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Rush County to promote youth soccer through training, facility improvements, and sportsmanship initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to educators, students, and community members in Rush County, Indiana, for innovative educational projects that enhance learning experiences beyond the standard school budget.

This grant provides financial assistance to Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in Rush County, Indiana, helping them attend camp and participate in scouting activities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Wayne County, Indiana, for innovative projects addressing community challenges, as well as emergency needs requiring immediate assistance.

This fund provides financial support for youth-led service projects and organizations in Rush County, encouraging young people to engage in philanthropy and contribute positively to their community.

This funding opportunity supports innovative programs that address community needs in Rush County, Indiana, with a focus on initiatives benefiting women and children, available to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving the area.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments, schools, and nonprofits in Indiana to enhance recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide career development programs for Black youth aged 14-24 in designated NBA markets.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in Rush County, Indiana, to implement projects that enhance local parks and recreational facilities, benefiting the community and addressing current needs.

Leap Funding, provided by Main Street Ventures, offers equity-free funding ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to promising, revenue-generating businesses. The primary goal of this program is to help these businesses scale their community impact and enhance their long-term survival prospects. Main Street Ventures' mission, as evidenced by this grant, is to foster economic growth and community development by supporting local enterprises, particularly within the Greater Cincinnati region. This aligns with a strategic priority to strengthen local economies through direct investment in businesses that demonstrate strong potential and customer demand. The target beneficiaries of Leap Funding are established business entities, specifically C-Corps, S-Corps, or LLCs, that possess a Federal Tax ID (EIN). The program focuses on businesses within key industry areas, including retail storefronts (restaurants, coffee shops, retail shops), manufactured goods (consumer packaged goods, clothing, sporting goods), and technology companies (hardware, software). A critical geographical focus is the Greater Cincinnati region, encompassing specific counties in Ohio (Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, Warren), Kentucky (Boone, Campbell), and Indiana (Dearborn). Grant requests from outside this region are explicitly not considered. The program prioritizes funding for specific growth projects rather than general operating expenses. Main Street Ventures defines a growth project as a step that will accelerate business expansion. Suitable direct expenses include key equipment, packaging support, and technology product development. Conversely, general operating expenses such as existing payroll, rent, insurance, marketing, and legal fees are not eligible for grant funds. Businesses are also required to demonstrate customer demand and consistent progression since their founding, ensuring that the funding supports businesses with a proven track record and clear growth trajectory. Expected outcomes include accelerated business growth, increased community impact, and improved long-term survival rates for the funded enterprises. Measurable results would likely include job creation, increased revenue for the businesses, expansion into new markets, or enhanced product development. Special consideration is given to women and minority-owned businesses, as well as those that can secure matching funds from other sources, reflecting a strategic priority to promote diversity and leverage additional investment. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by providing targeted, equity-free capital for specific growth initiatives, they can empower local businesses to expand, thereby creating a ripple effect of economic benefit and community resilience within the Greater Cincinnati area.

The Dubois County Chamber of Commerce quarterly business grant aims to bolster the local economy by supporting and promoting businesses that are current chamber members and contribute to the community's vitality. The Chamber's mission, though not explicitly detailed in the provided text, is implicitly aligned with fostering a robust local business environment, creating jobs, and enhancing the overall economic well-being of Dubois County. This grant serves as a direct mechanism to achieve those objectives, ensuring that financial support is directed towards entities committed to the area's prosperity. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are locally owned businesses situated within Dubois County. This includes businesses with no more than 50 full-time employees, including franchised businesses that are locally owned and operated, but explicitly excludes subsidiaries of larger corporations and publicly traded companies. The impact goal is to strengthen the foundational elements of the local economy by empowering these businesses, preventing their absorption by larger entities, and fostering an environment where local entrepreneurship can thrive. The grant prioritizes businesses that demonstrate a commitment to local operation and compliance with state regulations. Key focuses include ensuring that recipients are registered and in good standing with the Indiana Secretary of State, or have proper sole proprietorship documentation. Additionally, businesses must disclose any pending litigation, highlighting a focus on responsible and ethical business practices. These criteria aim to channel funds to stable and compliant businesses that are genuinely invested in the Dubois County community. The expected outcomes of this grant program are multifaceted. By providing financial support, the Chamber anticipates increased stability and growth among local businesses, leading to job creation and retention within Dubois County. Measurable results could include tracking the number of businesses supported, the reported growth in their employee base, and their continued good standing within the community. The Chamber's strategic priority is to act as a catalyst for local economic development, with this grant program serving as a core component of that strategy. The underlying theory of change is that by directly investing in and empowering local businesses, the Chamber can cultivate a resilient and prosperous economy that benefits all residents of Dubois County.

The Wayne County Foundation's Grant making in the Community Program offers various funding opportunities, including Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants, Mini-Grants, and Crisis Grants. These grants are aligned with the Foundation's mission to improve the quality of life and enhance the spirit of the Wayne County community in Indiana. The Foundation seeks to strengthen organizations' infrastructure, management, and governance, as well as support innovative projects that address community problems. The target beneficiaries are 501(c)3 organizations operating in or serving Wayne County, Indiana. The program aims to impact the community by supporting projects that address significant community problems, present innovative solutions, promote collaborative relationships, and demonstrate a broad reach or significant depth of impact. Ultimately, the Foundation seeks to foster efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability within organizations serving the community. The program prioritizes proposals that address community problems not already being attempted or funded, present innovative and practical approaches, promote collaboration, have a broad reach or significant impact, demonstrate a clear work plan, show sustainability for ongoing projects, and provide evidence of the applying organization's qualifications and stability. Specific funding amounts are available for each grant type: up to $10,000 for Nonprofit Capacity Building, and up to $5,000 for both Mini-Grants and Crisis Grants. Expected outcomes include strengthened organizational infrastructure, improved management and governance, and enhanced sustainability for nonprofits. Measurable results could include the number of people involved or affected by projects, the achievement of project goals as outlined in work plans, and evidence of increased efficiency and effectiveness of funded organizations. The Foundation's strategic priorities are centered on enhancing the well-being of Wayne County through targeted support for community-focused initiatives.

The State Urban Forest Resilience (SUFR) Funding Grant, offered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), aims to restore and improve urban forests in Indiana. Its core mission aligns with environmental resilience and conservation, specifically addressing the catastrophic losses caused by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The grant seeks to build long-term resiliency through increased tree diversity and the protection of existing healthy trees. While a specific "foundation mission" is not explicitly stated in the context, the IDNR's involvement implies a state-level commitment to environmental health and sustainable urban development. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are municipalities and non-profit 501(c)3 organizations within Indiana. These entities, acting on behalf of their communities, will implement projects that directly impact the health and sustainability of public urban forests. The overarching impact goal is to mitigate the damage caused by the EAB, enhance the ecological integrity of urban areas, and foster community engagement in environmental stewardship. The grant is designed to support a range of activities, from tree removal and treatment to new plantings, all contributing to a more robust and diverse urban canopy. The SUFR Grant prioritizes management and reforestation activities. This includes the removal of EAB-infested or dead Ash trees, insecticidal treatments for threatened Ash trees, and comprehensive tree planting initiatives. A key focus is on replacing removed Ash trees with at least two new trees, promoting native Indiana species, and specifically restricting the planting of Acer genus (maples) to encourage greater biodiversity. Community engagement is a mandatory component of all tree planting projects, emphasizing the importance of local involvement and education in achieving sustainable outcomes. Additionally, applicants must possess an up-to-date tree inventory to demonstrate existing conditions and planned improvements. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in EAB impact, an increase in urban forest canopy cover, and a greater diversity of tree species in Indiana's urban areas. For every Ash tree removed, the requirement to plant at least two new trees will directly contribute to reforestation efforts. The restriction on Acer genus planting (with limited exceptions) will lead to a more varied and resilient tree population. Measurable results will stem from the required documentation, including ISA Certified Arborist reports or updated tree inventories, which detail the location and number of trees removed, treated, and planted. This data will allow for tracking the progress and effectiveness of the grant in achieving its goals. The grant's theory of change posits that by investing in strategic urban forest management, coupled with community involvement, Indiana's urban environments will become more resilient to pests and diseases, offering long-term ecological and community benefits.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is offering its 2024 Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) Grant. This program aims to aid communities in restoring their urban tree canopy after natural disasters by funding the planting of replacement trees. This initiative directly aligns with the broader mission of environmental stewardship and community resilience, focusing on re-establishing critical natural infrastructure within urban areas. The grant seeks to mitigate the long-term environmental and aesthetic damage caused by natural disasters, thereby contributing to the overall well-being and sustainability of affected communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are municipalities and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within Indiana. The target impact is the recovery and enhancement of urban tree canopies, which in turn offers numerous environmental benefits such as improved air quality, reduced urban heat island effect, enhanced stormwater management, and increased biodiversity. The program also encourages community engagement, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and local involvement in environmental recovery efforts, which can lead to more sustainable outcomes and stronger community bonds. The grant prioritizes the planting of trees native to Indiana and explicitly excludes the purchase of maples (Acer genus) unless specific conditions are met, demonstrating a commitment to ecological integrity and the prevention of monoculture. Beyond tree planting, the grant also supports crucial urban forestry management tools, including community tree inventories, canopy assessments, management plans, and storm response plans. These tools are vital for a proactive and strategic approach to urban forestry, enabling communities to not only recover from disasters but also to build more resilient and effectively managed tree populations for the future. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in urban tree canopy coverage in disaster-affected areas, improved community preparedness for future natural disasters through comprehensive management and response plans, and a heightened level of community engagement in local environmental initiatives. Measurable results will likely be tracked through the number of trees planted, the development and implementation of urban forestry plans, and the scope of community participation. The underlying theory of change is that by providing targeted financial assistance for tree recovery and urban forestry planning, IDNR can empower local entities to rebuild stronger, more sustainable, and more beautiful communities capable of withstanding future environmental challenges. Funding for project requests ranges from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $20,000, with an overall available fund of $40,000. This ensures that a diverse range of projects, from small-scale plantings to more comprehensive planning initiatives, can be supported. Eligible activities include the creation or updating of tree inventories and canopy assessments, the development or review of management/response plans, and tree planting projects that incorporate community engagement. The emphasis on native species and strategic planning reflects a thoughtful approach to environmental restoration and long-term ecological health.

The Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA) is seeking applications for its Building Socially Connected Communities Program, a grant initiative designed to address concerning public health statistics in Indiana through a community and economic development lens. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance community resilience and foster economic growth across the state. By investing in initiatives that build social connections, strengthen community bonds, and enhance the overall quality of life for Hoosiers, OCRA aims to strategically counter social isolation and loneliness, which diminish social capital and impact individual and community well-being. The program targets all counties in Indiana and aims to benefit individuals experiencing social isolation and loneliness, local businesses affected by decreased community engagement, and communities striving for greater economic vibrancy and social cohesion. The impact goals are to improve individual health outcomes, enhance community well-being and social capital, foster community engagement, support local businesses, and contribute to the overall economic health of Indiana’s communities. The program's priorities and focus areas include Community Infrastructure Enhancement (e.g., community centers, meeting spaces), Social Clubs & Interest Groups tailored to older adults, Community Well-Being Programs (e.g., mental health awareness, loneliness stigma reduction, accessible resources), Local Business Support (e.g., creating inviting spaces for social interactions), Transportation Accessibility in rural areas, and Intergenerational Initiatives. These focus areas reflect the foundation's strategic priority to create strong, connected communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased social connections, stronger community bonds, enhanced quality of life, greater community engagement, improved economic vibrancy through local business support, and increased access to community events and essential services. The foundation's theory of change posits that by strategically investing in these areas, communities will experience a positive shift in social fabric, economic health, and overall well-being, contributing to Indiana’s statewide development goals. Funding information includes a total of $200,000 available. Applicants can apply for either Quick Action projects (maximum $5,000, minimum $1,000, 1:1 match with 30% in-kind) or Large Impact projects (maximum $50,000, minimum $5,001, 1:1 cash match). Eligible applicants are local government, non-profit organizations, and community groups. Ineligible activities range from plants and Wi-Fi to one-time use products, permanent public restrooms, taxes, food/drink, gaming, illegal/political/unsanctioned activities, demolition, salaries, administration fees, and pre-award expenses.