Forward Together Go Grant

The Forward Together Go Grant is administered by the City of Evansville as part of its broader Forward Together Grant Program. This initiative is a locally funded effort designed to strengthen community outcomes through targeted investments in nonprofit-led projects. The program is supported by interest earned on American Rescue Plan Act funds, allowing the city to reinvest resources into initiatives that directly benefit residents. Since its launch, the program has distributed significant funding to support community-driven efforts, with this cycle representing a continuation of that commitment through a focused and impact-oriented approach. The primary purpose of the Go Grant is to fund short-term, project-based initiatives that produce clear and measurable benefits within the Evansville community. Unlike previous funding cycles that may have supported broader or ongoing organizational operations, this round emphasizes one-time projects with defined outcomes. Priority areas for funding include neighborhood revitalization, youth wellness, and literacy initiatives, all of which align with the city’s strategic goals to improve quality of life and expand opportunity for residents. Funding is available to eligible nonprofit organizations for projects with budgets ranging from 2,500 to 25,000. The total program funding for this cycle is 500,000, which will be distributed across selected projects. Funds must be used exclusively for project-specific expenses, such as materials, supplies, and event-related costs. The program explicitly prohibits the use of funds for operational expenses including payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, or direct payments to individuals. All applicants are required to submit a detailed, itemized budget outlining how funds will be allocated. Eligibility for the grant is limited to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are based in the City of Evansville and serve residents within the city boundaries. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed project directly benefits the local community and aligns with the stated funding priorities. Additionally, applicants must ensure that their projects can be completed within a 12-month period following the award date and must comply with all documentation and reporting requirements established by the city. The application process requires submission of a complete application form along with all required supporting documents. Incomplete applications are not considered for funding. All submissions are reviewed by a committee appointed by the Mayor, and final funding decisions are made at the discretion of the City. The evaluation process focuses on fairness and alignment with program priorities, as well as the potential for measurable community impact. Applications are open for the current funding cycle and are scheduled to close on May 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Interested applicants are required to submit their materials by this deadline to be considered for funding. Successful applicants are expected to complete their projects within one year and provide documentation of expenditures to ensure compliance with funding requirements. Overall, the Forward Together Go Grant represents a targeted local funding opportunity aimed at empowering nonprofit organizations to implement high-impact projects within Evansville. By focusing on measurable outcomes and restricting funding to project-specific costs, the program seeks to maximize the effectiveness of public investment and ensure tangible benefits for the community.

Ensure projects have clear measurable outcomes and align with city priority areas; provide a complete and detailed budget; submit all required documentation