Community Challenge Priority Group Grant

The Community Challenge Priority Group Grant is administered by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs as part of its broader Grants for Veterans Services program. The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for supporting veterans, service members, and their families across the state by providing access to resources, benefits, and community-based services. This specific grant initiative is designed to align with the Indiana Community Challenge, which focuses on preventing suicide within the Indiana veteran community through targeted, community-driven interventions. The program reflects a coordinated statewide effort to strengthen support systems and improve outcomes for veterans by leveraging nonprofit organizations with direct service capabilities. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund nonprofit organizations that deliver services aligned with one or more of the three Indiana Community Challenge priority groups. These groups include identifying members of the veteran community, promoting connectedness and improving care transitions, and advancing safe storage practices and training related to lethal means. Funded activities may include outreach programs, peer support initiatives, suicide prevention screenings, mentorship programs, and education efforts. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices and measurable outcomes, requiring applicants to demonstrate how their proposed services will contribute to suicide prevention and community engagement among veterans. Funding for this grant ranges from one thousand dollars to twenty thousand dollars per award, with a total program funding pool of one hundred fifty thousand dollars. The exact award amount depends on the applicant’s demonstrated need, the availability of funds, and the number of eligible applications received. Allowable expenses include personnel costs, travel, supplies, operating expenses, equipment, and direct services to veterans. However, funds cannot be used for capital improvements, real estate purchases, fundraising activities, lobbying, or other costs that do not directly support the program’s objectives. No matching funds are required, which lowers the barrier to entry for smaller nonprofit organizations. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations that are registered with the Indiana Secretary of State and exempt from taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants must provide veterans services as defined in Indiana Code and demonstrate financial capacity to deliver the proposed services during the grant period. Organizations must also be compliant with all applicable state and federal laws and free of liabilities to the state. Services funded through this program must benefit Indiana-based veterans, as well as their family members, caregivers, and eligible service members, with verification of veteran status required through official documentation. The application process requires submission through the Euna Grants system and includes a comprehensive set of materials. Applicants must provide a detailed project narrative outlining their mission, services, and alignment with statutory requirements, as well as a clear explanation of the need for funding. Additional required components include performance indicators, audited financial statements, tax returns, articles of incorporation, and a detailed budget. The project narrative must also include a work plan and measurable benchmarks for evaluating program effectiveness. Applications are reviewed based on completeness, alignment with program goals, and the applicant’s ability to deliver measurable outcomes. Applications open on July 27, 2026, and close on May 31, 2027, providing an extended submission window. Awards are contingent upon acceptance through the Euna Grants platform and execution of a formal grant agreement. Organizations must accept awards within thirty days and complete agreement execution within fourteen days of receipt. Following award, grantees are required to comply with reporting and communication requirements, including financial tracking, programmatic reporting, and coordination with the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The grant period includes ongoing monitoring, with expectations for timely expenditure of funds and submission of final performance reports at the conclusion of the project.

Ensure strong alignment with one or more ICC priority groups and include measurable performance indicators demonstrating impact on veteran suicide prevention