Sullivan County Urgent Need Grant

The Sullivan County Urgent Need Grant is administered by the Wabash Valley Community Foundation through its Sullivan County affiliate. The Community Foundation, established through donor contributions since 1992, manages a permanent endowment designed to support long-term community improvement. This specific funding opportunity reflects the Foundation’s broader philosophy of investing in initiatives that generate meaningful, measurable impact, while also responding flexibly to immediate and unforeseen challenges faced by local organizations. The purpose of the Urgent Need Grant is to provide rapid, one-time financial assistance to organizations in Sullivan County that are experiencing sudden and unavoidable operational disruptions. Unlike traditional grant cycles that emphasize long-term program development, this funding is intended to stabilize organizations during critical moments that threaten their ability to continue delivering essential services. The grant prioritizes situations where immediate intervention is necessary to prevent interruption of core programming or access to facilities. Funding is available in amounts up to 5000 dollars and is strictly limited to urgent operational needs. Eligible uses include recovery from natural or accidental disasters such as fires or floods, replacement or repair of essential equipment damaged or stolen, and resolution of unexpected facility or infrastructure failures that halt service delivery. The funding is not intended for ongoing financial shortfalls, program start-up costs, or gaps caused by poor financial planning. Requests related to declining donations, delayed reimbursements, or preventable operational issues are explicitly excluded. Eligibility is limited to organizations located in Sullivan County that have an established relationship with the Community Foundation and a demonstrated track record of responsible financial stewardship and effective service delivery. Applicants must be able to show that the need is both urgent and unforeseen, and that the requested funds will directly address the issue in a timely manner. The Foundation emphasizes accountability and expects grantees to use funds solely for the approved purpose and comply with reporting requirements. The application process for this grant is streamlined to accommodate urgent circumstances. Applicants must submit a one-page Letter of Intent clearly labeled as an urgent request, along with a completed Grant Application Cover and Agreement Page. Submissions are reviewed on an as-needed basis rather than within fixed deadlines, allowing the Foundation to respond quickly to time-sensitive situations. Additional information may be requested if clarification is needed during review. Evaluation of requests focuses on the immediacy and legitimacy of the need, the organization’s ability to resolve the issue effectively with the requested funds, and the potential impact on community services if the issue is not addressed. The Foundation treats these grants as partnerships, requiring recipients to acknowledge funding publicly, report to their board, and submit a final report within 30 days of project completion. There is no recurring cycle for this grant program, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis as urgent needs arise. Because of its responsive nature, the timeline from submission to decision may vary depending on the complexity and urgency of the request. Contact for the program is available through the Community Foundation’s staff, including the Program Director, and applications must be submitted physically to the Foundation’s office in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Clearly demonstrate urgency and provide compelling evidence that the need is sudden, unavoidable, and directly impacts core operations; ensure strong financial stewardship history is evident