Nonprofit Grant Program

The Hamilton County Nonprofit Grant Program is a locally administered funding opportunity offered by Hamilton County, Indiana, designed to support nonprofit organizations delivering services that align with county priorities. The program operates as a discretionary funding initiative, meaning awards are determined based on application evaluation scores and the availability of county funds. The primary purpose of the grant is to support programs and services that, if not provided by nonprofit organizations, might otherwise require development and delivery by the County Hospital or other governmental entities. This positions the program as both a service enhancement tool and a cost-avoidance strategy for the county. The funding is restricted to nonprofit organizations that are formally recognized as 501(c)(3) entities under Indiana law and that are headquartered in Hamilton County while serving its residents. The program explicitly excludes organizations that already have contractual relationships with the county or those delivering mandated or statutory services on behalf of the county. Eligible applicants must demonstrate that their services benefit the broader county population and are not limited to a specific municipality or subset of residents. This ensures equitable distribution of benefits across Hamilton County. Grant funds must be supported by other financial resources or documented in-kind contributions, indicating that the program requires a form of leveraged funding rather than acting as a sole funding source. Applicants must include a detailed annual budget and a budget narrative outlining additional funding sources as part of their submission. Failure to include required documentation, such as proof of nonprofit status or the organization’s annual budget, results in disqualification. This reflects the program’s emphasis on financial accountability and organizational capacity. The application process is conducted entirely online through a designated portal, with a defined submission window opening on May 1, 2026, and closing at 4:30 PM Eastern Time on June 3, 2026. Applications must be complete at the time of submission, as incomplete or late applications are not accepted. The process may also include interviews conducted by the Hamilton County Grant Committee, which evaluates applications and makes funding recommendations to the County Council and subsequently to the County Commissioners for final approval. Evaluation criteria are based on application scoring, though specific scoring metrics are not detailed in the provided materials. The review process includes committee evaluation, potential applicant interviews, and formal approval steps involving multiple county governing bodies. Applicants are notified of funding decisions no earlier than November 13, 2026. The structured review and approval process ensures that funding decisions are aligned with county priorities and subject to oversight. Award distribution varies based on the size of the grant. Awards of $50,000 or less are typically distributed as a single lump sum, while larger awards are disbursed in monthly installments over a 12-month period beginning in January of the award year. Grant recipients are required to submit progress reports at midyear and year-end, specifically by June 30 and December 31 of the award year. Additionally, a final grant report for the 2026 cycle is due by July 1, 2027, at 4:30 PM. For additional information or clarification, applicants may contact Kelly Morehouse, Director of Council Operations, via email. The program does not guarantee funding to applicants, even if all eligibility criteria are met and a complete application is submitted. The grant is expected to recur annually, with consistent deadlines and timelines, reinforcing its role as an ongoing funding mechanism for nonprofit services within Hamilton County.

Ensure all required documents including annual budget and funding sources are included; incomplete applications are automatically disqualified; align services clearly with county needs to strengthen scoring