Indiana Education Grants

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) offers the Environmental Sustainability Grant Program to support and enhance the environmental sustainability of the Greater Cincinnati region. This aligns with GCF's mission to increase accessibility and quality of greenspaces, conservation, horticulture, and nature education, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity for historically marginalized groups. The program aims to address environmental disparities and promote equitable access to nature's benefits. The primary beneficiaries of this program are organizations whose efforts are based in the Greater Cincinnati region, specifically within the counties of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, and Campbell in Kentucky; and Dearborn in Indiana. The program targets historically marginalized groups by prioritizing requests that connect them to the benefits of nature, including fresh food access and nature education, particularly for children and youth. The overarching impact goal is to foster a more environmentally sustainable and equitable region. The program prioritizes proposals that develop solutions with a racial equity lens, recognizing that environmental issues often disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Key focus areas include beautifying, creating, conserving, and restoring greenspaces, with a preference for those benefiting historically marginalized groups. Additionally, the program seeks to connect these groups to nature's benefits through various initiatives, such as increased fresh food access and nature education programming. Collaboration between well-aligned organizations is highly favored, as is an asset-based approach to the work. Expected outcomes include expanded or strengthened existing programs, successful capital improvements, the launch of new initiatives, and enhanced organizational capacity among grantee organizations. Proposals are expected to articulate clear and measurable outcomes, demonstrating how their efforts will contribute to the program's goals. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the general intent to increase accessibility and quality of greenspaces and nature education, the emphasis on "clear and measurable outcomes" suggests a commitment to tracking the tangible impact of funded projects. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its preference for organizations demonstrating partnerships, community alignment, insights from past results, and an asset-based approach, all contributing to a theory of change that values collaborative, data-informed, and community-centric environmental solutions with a strong equity focus.

The City of Evansville has established the Forward Together Grant Fund, an initiative designed to bolster eligible nonprofit organizations actively working within the Evansville community. This fund, strategically derived from interest generated by the American Rescue Plan Act, aligns with a core mission to strengthen neighborhoods and create pathways out of poverty for city residents. The program serves as a direct extension of the city's commitment to fostering a more resilient and equitable community by empowering organizations engaged in vital local work. The primary beneficiaries of the Forward Together Grant Fund are underprivileged or disadvantaged residents of the City of Evansville, along with the nonprofit organizations directly serving them. The program's impact goals are centered on improving the quality of life for these residents by addressing critical social and economic challenges. Through strategic funding, the city aims to foster a stronger social fabric and provide tangible opportunities for upward mobility, ultimately leading to a more stable and thriving Evansville. The grant prioritizes programs falling into several key categories, reflecting the city's strategic focus on comprehensive community development. These include Affordable Housing, Mental Health/Addiction, Food Assistance, Job Training, Youth Development, Internet Access, Childcare Access, Resource Navigation Assistance, Homeless Services, and Neighborhood Revitalization (e.g., Home Repairs, weatherization). This broad scope ensures that a diverse range of pressing needs within the community can be addressed, contributing to a holistic approach to poverty reduction and neighborhood strengthening. Organizations can apply for up to $35,000 to fund programs within these categories. The expected outcomes of this initiative include improved access to essential services, enhanced neighborhood stability, increased economic opportunities, and a reduction in poverty rates across the city. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the focus on tangible services and community-based programs suggests that success will be evaluated through metrics related to service delivery, client outcomes, and overall community betterment. The City of Evansville's theory of change for the Forward Together Grant Fund is rooted in the belief that targeted investment in local nonprofit organizations, particularly those addressing fundamental needs, can create a ripple effect of positive change. By supporting organizations that directly work to strengthen neighborhoods and provide pathways out of poverty, the city anticipates a measurable improvement in the lives of its residents, leading to a more vibrant, equitable, and self-sufficient community. Eligible uses of funds include crucial operational costs such as payroll, benefits, utilities, rent, and insurance, recognizing that stable organizational infrastructure is vital for sustained impact.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is offering the 2024 Community & Urban Forestry Assistance (CUFA) Grant. This program aims to foster the long-term growth and development of community forestry programs throughout Indiana. The core mission of the grant aligns with enhancing the quality of life for residents by investing in sustainable urban forest management. The overall funding available for this program is $230,000, with individual project requests ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000. The target beneficiaries of the CUFA Grant include municipalities (cities, towns, townships, counties, and other local government entities as defined by IC 369-1-2) and non-profit 501(c)3 organizations. The grant's impact goals are broad, focusing on the expansion and preservation of urban tree canopy, increased and more equitable access to urban tree canopy, broadened community engagement in urban forest planning, and improved resilience to climate change, pests, and storm events through best management practices. The program prioritizes several key areas. These include establishing and strengthening community urban forestry programs, promoting urban forestry benefits through proper tree selection, planting, and care, establishing comprehensive tree inventories for data-driven decisions, and promoting risk management through tree assessment and mitigation plans. The grant also emphasizes restoring diminished community tree canopy, diversifying urban forests for long-term resilience, and ensuring urban forests provide ecosystem services such as cleaner air, improved watershed health, reduced erosion, stormwater runoff, and reduced urban heat island effects. Expected outcomes and measurable results include addressing historic inequities in urban forestry, adapting urban forest accessibility to changing demographics, promoting the Indiana nursery and arboriculture industries, and enhancing the built environment through increased property values and reduced energy demands. The grant supports activities such as the development of tree inventories or urban tree canopy assessments, creation or update of urban forestry management/response plans, education and training, and community engagement and tree planting initiatives. All tree planting projects must include community engagement, occur on public property, utilize 100% native Indiana species (with limited exceptions for Acer genus trees), and include a maintenance plan. Other supported activities include urban wood utilization, establishment of urban food forests, invasive species removal, and community website development specific to urban forestry.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in Indianapolis that create or expand programs benefiting children and adolescents.

This program provides funding for farmers and ranchers in the North Central region to develop and share sustainable agricultural practices through research and educational projects.

This funding opportunity supports local nonprofit organizations in Hendricks County that provide services to women and children in need.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, and local businesses in Bloomington to support projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility and promote active transportation in the community.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofits in Middlebury, Indiana, that focus on youth and family initiatives aligned with Christian values.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, to support projects that enhance education, health, and community well-being.

This grant provides financial support for educational and worker training programs that benefit residents of Hobart, aiming to enhance their skills for a competitive global economy.

This grant provides financial support for music-related activities and programs in Rush County, focusing on adult engagement and elementary to middle school music initiatives, while excluding high school programs.

The Youth Fund by Crossroads Fund offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to youth activists (up to 26 years old) in selected counties of Illinois and Indiana, specifically Chicago and Gary, who are working on social justice projects in areas such as community, education, health, environment, violence, and media, with a focus on challenging policies and structures that hinder equality in their communities.

This grant provides financial support to Indiana public, charter, and accredited non-public schools to implement approved assessments that enhance student learning and inform instructional decisions for grades K-10.

This program provides funding to K-12 teachers and administrators in specific Kentucky and Indiana counties to enhance classroom instruction through arts-integrated programming.

This initiative provides financial assistance to local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and businesses in South Bend for solar panel installations and energy efficiency upgrades to reduce energy costs and promote sustainability.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Allen County, Indiana, focusing on arts, scholarships, and scientific research initiatives.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This funding opportunity supports organizations and individuals in Indiana to create educational programs that promote awareness and appreciation of historic preservation through various innovative formats.

This grant provides funding for community projects in Blackford County, Indiana, focusing on areas such as education, health, and human services, with a preference for initiatives that demonstrate collaboration and broad community impact.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in St. Joseph County, Indiana, particularly in South Bend, to enhance community well-being through various initiatives in arts, education, health, and more.