Indiana Local Grants

The Unity Foundation of La Porte County is offering "Power for Good" Grants to support qualified nonprofit organizations, governmental bodies, and educators serving La Porte County, Indiana. This grant program aligns with the Foundation's mission to enhance the quality of life and strengthen the county by supporting innovative projects. The target beneficiaries of these grants are residents of La Porte County, with the goal of addressing issues not adequately serviced by existing community resources. The Foundation encourages submission of innovative projects that will further enhance the quality of life and strengthen the county, seeking new concepts rather than repetitive projects. Priorities for funding include one-time projects or needs, projects that provide leverage for generating other funds and community resources, and projects that facilitate cooperation and collaboration between organizations and communities within La Porte County. Funding requests should be at least $500 and no more than $5,000. Eligible applicants generally include charitable organizations with verifiable 501(c)(3) status operating or offering programs in La Porte County, Indiana. Governmental bodies (such as townships and fire districts) and educational institutions (including teachers) are also eligible, with additional restrictions noted under General Grant Making Policies. Churches may request funds for non-religious purposes only. The expected outcomes are innovative solutions that address community needs, leverage additional resources, and foster collaboration, ultimately leading to a stronger and more vibrant La Porte County.

The Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce is offering a small business capacity-building grant program through its Franklin Chamber Foundation. This initiative aims to strengthen the economic and social growth of the Franklin community by supporting local small businesses, which are considered the foundation of the city. The program aligns with the Chamber's mission to assist in fortifying these essential businesses within the community. The target beneficiaries for this program are small businesses in Franklin with 10 or fewer full-time employees. The grant seeks to impact these businesses by providing financial assistance for various capacity-building initiatives. The overall goal is to enhance the resilience and growth potential of these small enterprises, thereby contributing to the broader economic vitality of Franklin. The program prioritizes initiatives that expand physical space, improve online presence, or bolster marketing efforts. Examples of capacity building include the development of user-friendly online shopping platforms, enhancement of point-of-sale systems, updating websites, increasing physical spaces, and implementing innovative marketing strategies. These focus areas are designed to provide tangible improvements that directly contribute to business growth and sustainability. The Franklin Chamber Foundation plans to award 12 grants, each valued at $2,500, to local small businesses. The expected outcome is that these grants will enable recipient businesses to implement crucial capacity-building projects, leading to increased operational efficiency, broader market reach, and ultimately, greater economic stability. While specific measurable results are not detailed beyond the number and amount of grants, the underlying theory of change is that direct financial support for strategic improvements will empower small businesses to thrive, reinforcing the community's economic fabric.

The Emerging Erie Fund, a field of interest fund of the Erie Community Foundation, aims to champion local initiatives that will significantly benefit the Erie community both now and in the future. This aligns with the Erie Community Foundation's broader mission to foster a thriving community by supporting innovative projects that "move the needle." The fund was formerly known as the Young Erie Philanthropists, indicating a legacy of engaging with and empowering community-focused efforts. The grant program targets Erie County 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, excluding for-profit entities, sectarian religious activities, fundraising solely, or hospitality projects. The primary beneficiaries are residents of Erie, Pennsylvania, through projects focused on talent development and retention (PEOPLE) and neighborhood public spaces (PLACES). The impact goal is to create sustainable improvements in these key areas, contributing to career development and enhanced public environments within the community. The Emerging Erie Fund prioritizes innovative and ambitious projects where the allocated funds, ranging from $10,000 to a maximum of $75,000, can make a substantial difference. The grantmaking areas, "PEOPLE: Talent Development and Retention" and "PLACES: Neighborhoods Public Spaces," clearly define the strategic focus. The fund seeks proposals that demonstrate a clear potential for significant positive change within an 18-month project period. Expected outcomes include the creation of new career development opportunities, the enhancement of existing talent retention initiatives, and the improvement of public spaces within Erie neighborhoods. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "moving the needle" suggests a desire for demonstrable impact. Organizations are expected to propose projects with clear objectives and a strong likelihood of achieving tangible improvements aligned with the fund's two core grantmaking areas.

The Henry County Community Foundation is offering the Harold E. and Imogene L. Caine Memorial Fund Grants to non-profit organizations in Henry County, Indiana, that provide holiday assistance to children aged 5 and under, with applications due by October 11, 2024.

The Ulster County Food Security and Resilience Grant Program, a collaborative effort between Ulster County and the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, aims to address food insecurity within Ulster County, New York. This program aligns with the findings of the Ulster County Food Security and Access Network (UCFSAN) Report, indicating a shared commitment to improving food access and resilience in the region. The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley acts as the donor, facilitating the distribution of funds to eligible organizations. The grant program targets tax-exempt organizations, including faith-based organizations, that are either located in or provide services to Ulster County. These organizations must have operated as a nonprofit for at least one year with 501(c)(3) status or have an established fiscal sponsorship. The primary beneficiaries are individuals and communities within Ulster County experiencing food insecurity, particularly in critical geographic areas with limited provider access. The overarching impact goal is to enhance food security and resilience across the county. Funding priorities and focuses include proposals that effectively address food insecurity, leverage existing resources, expand emergency food services, and increase the capacity to collect, store, distribute, and provide food to those in need through equipment or personnel. A key focus is also on ensuring the sustainability of organizations working on food insecurity and supporting those operating in underserved areas. The grant program seeks to support "change-oriented" programs that address root causes rather than just immediate needs, aligning with a strategic approach to long-term community impact. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in food insecurity, improved access to emergency food services, increased capacity within food assistance organizations, and enhanced sustainability for these providers. The review criteria emphasize the quality of the program/project, the organization's capacity and stability, the clarity and realism of the budget, and the potential for significant impact and measurable results. Organizations are expected to have viable evaluation plans to demonstrate the likelihood of successfully measuring their impact, ensuring accountability and effective resource utilization.

The Advancing Westfield Foundation offers grants to support nonprofit partnerships in their efforts to provide vital services. This aligns with their mission to ensure sustainable support for a wide range of services benefiting youth, adults, seniors, veterans, and disabled community members within the Westfield community. The foundation's strategic priority is to strengthen the community by supporting organizations that directly serve these diverse populations. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are youth, adults, seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals residing in or served by organizations operating in the Westfield community. The impact goal is to enhance the well-being and quality of life for these community members by providing essential services. The foundation prioritizes organizations that can demonstrate a clear plan for addressing the needs of these groups. The grant program focuses on supporting 501c3 accredited organizations that operate in and/or serve the Westfield community. This eligibility criterion ensures that funding is directed towards established and legitimate entities with a direct connection to the community they aim to help. The maximum grant request per organization is $25,000, which is part of a larger grant size ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Expected outcomes include the continued provision and expansion of vital services to the identified beneficiary groups. Measurable results would typically include the number of individuals served, the types of services provided, and the positive changes observed in the community. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in local nonprofit partnerships, it can create a ripple effect, leading to a stronger, more resilient community with improved access to essential support for all its members.

The Huntington County Community Foundation is offering Mini Grants of up to $1,500 for charitable organizations or causes serving Huntington County. The grants are intended to provide immediate support for smaller projects, with the Mini Grant serving as "last dollar in" for projects that exceed $1,500. Organizations can only receive one mini grant per calendar year and those without 501(c)(3) status will need a fiscal sponsor who is a 501(c)(3) to administer the grant.

This grant provides funding to homeowners' associations and neighborhood groups in Fishers, Indiana, for projects that enhance community beauty and sustainability, such as landscaping, community spaces, and environmental initiatives.

The Women's Fund of Porter County, an initiative of the Porter County Community Foundation, provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving women and children within Porter County, Indiana. Its core mission is to foster collective giving and address the critical needs of women and children in the community. This aligns with the Foundation's broader goal of improving lives and strengthening the region through philanthropic efforts. By focusing on programs with positive outcomes for this specific demographic, the Fund ensures its grants directly contribute to the well-being and advancement of a significant portion of the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are women and children residing in Porter County. The primary impact goal is to improve their lives through various programs and initiatives. While the specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the fund emphasizes supporting programs that "demonstrate positive outcomes." This implies an expectation that funded projects will have tangible and observable positive changes in the lives of women and children, such as improved access to resources, enhanced safety, educational attainment, or better health outcomes. The Women's Fund's priorities and focuses are clearly defined by what they will and will not fund. They prioritize projects that directly address issues facing women and/or children. This includes a broad range of potential areas, as long as they contribute to the overarching goal of improving their lives. Conversely, they explicitly exclude scholarship programs (including daycare and program participation fees), annual appeals, membership contributions, event sponsorships, sectarian or religious programs, political organizations, endowment campaigns, debt reduction campaigns, individuals, already completed programs or contracted equipment, and travel for various groups. These exclusions highlight a strategic focus on direct programmatic support over other forms of funding. The foundation's strategic priorities, as indicated by the Women's Fund, center on supporting impactful, well-organized nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate positive outcomes. Their theory of change appears to be that by collectively pooling resources and strategically investing in programs that target the specific needs of women and children, they can create significant, positive, and lasting change within the Porter County community. The eligibility criteria, which require recipient organizations to be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, also speaks to their commitment to working with established and accountable entities to achieve their philanthropic goals.

This grant provides funding for artists and community organizations in Marion County, Indiana, to collaborate on public art projects that enhance local neighborhoods and engage residents in arts and culture.

The City of Mishawaka's 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program aims to ensure decent affordable housing, provide services to vulnerable community members, and create jobs through business expansion and retention. This program is a vital tool for local governments to address community challenges, aligning with the broader mission of community development and support for low and moderate-income individuals and areas. The program targets several key beneficiaries and impact goals. It focuses on homeless individuals by improving and increasing public services. It also addresses the needs of special populations, including youth, the elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals, through public service programs like feeding and social welfare initiatives. Housing is another critical area, with goals to promote homeownership, develop new affordable housing, preserve existing owner-occupied housing, and make accessibility improvements. The Mishawaka Consolidated Plan, covering 2025-2030, outlines specific priorities and focuses. These include Homeless Priority-Public Services, Special Needs Priority-1 Public Services, and various Housing initiatives such as Homeownership Assistance, Affordable Housing, and housing preservation and rehabilitation. Community Development Priority focuses on improving public and community facilities, infrastructure (streets, walks, curbs, ADA ramps), and eliminating slum conditions through demolition. Administration, Planning and Management, and Fair Housing are also key priorities, ensuring sound program oversight and promoting fair housing choices. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in decent affordable housing, enhanced public services for vulnerable populations, job creation, and improved community infrastructure. The program seeks to assist low and moderate-income persons and families in achieving homeownership, provide accessible housing, and revitalize blighted areas. Through these initiatives, the City of Mishawaka is implementing a strategic approach to community development, guided by a theory of change that posits that by addressing fundamental needs in housing, public services, and infrastructure, the overall quality of life for all residents will significantly improve. Eligible activities for CDBG funding are diverse and designed to help low and moderate-income individuals, households, or areas. These activities encompass Public Facilities and Improvements, Code Enforcement, Architectural Barrier Removal, and a wide array of Public Services (including youth, senior, childcare, homeless shelter operations, services for persons with HIV/AIDS, and crime prevention). Other eligible activities include Planning, Housing Services (down payment assistance, renovation), Microenterprise Assistance, Economic Development Assistance, and Façade Improvements for Private Businesses. This comprehensive approach ensures that various community needs can be addressed effectively.

The Daviess County Community Foundation's Community Good Grants Program aims to support a wide array of initiatives that foster the well-being and development of Daviess County, Indiana. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen the community by investing in critical areas such as Arts and Culture, Community Development, Education, Health, Human Services, and other Civic Endeavors including Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development. By focusing on these diverse sectors, the foundation seeks to create a broad and lasting positive impact on the lives of Daviess County residents. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are nonprofit organizations deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as governmental agencies serving Daviess County. The foundation also considers funding requests from nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity, provided the project is charitable and addresses a community need. In such cases, obtaining a fiscal sponsor may be required. The overarching impact goal is to empower organizations that are actively working to improve the quality of life within the community. The program prioritizes initiatives that address fundamental community needs across its identified program areas. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the foundation's theory of change implicitly suggests that by supporting a diverse range of community-focused projects, they anticipate improvements in local education, health outcomes, cultural enrichment, community infrastructure, and social services. The strategic priority is to be a responsive and impactful funder for critical community projects. The foundation's strategy is to foster comprehensive community improvement by being inclusive in its funding considerations while maintaining clear boundaries. It does not fund religious organizations for religious purposes, political parties or campaigns, endowment creation, debt reduction, operating costs not directly related to a specific program or project, capital campaigns, annual appeals, membership contributions, or travel requests for groups or individuals. This focused approach ensures that grant funds are directed towards projects with a direct and tangible community benefit, ultimately contributing to the long-term vitality of Daviess County.

The Posey County Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2024 Community Good Grants Program. This program aims to support a broad range of community needs within Posey County, Indiana, aligning with the Foundation's mission to foster overall community well-being. By offering these grants, the Foundation seeks to invest in initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents and address critical local issues. The program targets nonprofit organizations deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as governmental agencies serving Posey County. Additionally, nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered if their projects are charitable and support a community need, potentially requiring a fiscal sponsor. The ultimate beneficiaries are the residents of Posey County, who will benefit from the projects funded across various program areas. The Community Good Grants Program focuses on several key areas for funding, including Arts and Culture, Community Development, Education, Health, Human Services, and Other Civic Endeavors, which encompass Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development. These priorities reflect the Foundation's strategic approach to addressing diverse community needs and fostering a well-rounded and thriving environment within the county. The program specifically excludes funding for religious organizations for religious purposes, political parties or campaigns, endowment creation or debt reduction, capital campaigns, annual appeals or membership contributions, and travel requests for groups or individuals. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the Foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in a belief that by supporting a wide array of charitable endeavors, it can incrementally improve various facets of community life. The broad program areas suggest an intent to create a ripple effect of positive change, from fostering cultural enrichment and educational advancements to promoting better health outcomes and a more vibrant civic landscape. The Foundation's strategic priority is to empower local organizations to implement projects that directly respond to the identified needs and opportunities within Posey County.

The City of South Bend, Indiana is inviting applications for the South Bend Alive Grant program, aimed at funding community organizations that work towards reducing violence and positively impacting the lives of young people through mentorship, employment training, and community outreach activities.

United Way in Carroll County, Indiana, is offering grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to 501(c)(3) Health and Human Services Nonprofit Organizations that align with the Cradle to Career Commitment and Basic Foundational Needs, and are located in or serve Carroll County residents, with applications due by 09/30/2024.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses located in the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone to improve their facilities, enhance customer experiences, and support historic preservation efforts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to child care providers in Indianapolis to improve services, increase capacity, and enhance early childhood education for infants and toddlers.

This funding opportunity provides neighborhood associations in South Bend with financial support for innovative, resident-led projects that improve community engagement and enhance local quality of life.

The United Way of Grant County (UWGC) has opened its 2024–2025 funding cycle to support nonprofit organizations that are driving meaningful change in the areas of health, education, and financial stability. This initiative is part of UWGC’s mission to uplift the Grant County community by investing in programs that strengthen local families and create lasting impact. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Grant County whose work directly aligns with these core focus areas. UWGC’s funding process is built on transparency, inclusivity, and community collaboration. It unfolds in three structured stages, beginning with the submission of a Letter of Interest (LOI). The LOI serves as the applicant’s introduction, allowing organizations to present a clear overview of their mission, the program they wish to fund, the amount requested, and how the initiative aligns with both their organizational goals and UWGC’s community-driven mission. A compelling LOI should communicate the program’s potential to create measurable and transformative outcomes for local residents. Organizations with strong LOIs are invited to proceed to the second stage: the full application and review process. At this stage, applicants work directly with UWGC’s Community Investment Committee—an assembly of volunteers representing diverse sectors across Grant County. The committee performs a comprehensive evaluation of each proposal, which may include site visits, program assessments, and impact reviews. The purpose of this phase is to ensure that every funded initiative demonstrates accountability, sustainability, and the ability to make a tangible difference in the community. The final stage, the allocation of funding, takes place in the spring. Programs that successfully pass through review and approval will receive funding to support their outlined initiatives. This financial support is designed to help nonprofits strengthen their operations, enhance service delivery, and expand their reach to those who need it most. Each step of the process reflects UWGC’s commitment to fostering collaboration and ensuring donor funds are directed toward the most effective, high-impact programs. Through this structured yet inclusive funding process, the United Way of Grant County continues its legacy of empowering local organizations to tackle pressing community challenges. By focusing on health, education, and financial stability, UWGC reinforces the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Grant County—one where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and neighborhood associations in Marion County, Indiana, to create and maintain accessible public art, particularly in underserved areas, while promoting equity for diverse artists.