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Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$33.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M

Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $33,412,041 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $925 million+
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Marion County, Hamilton County, and expanding to nine-county Central Indiana region
  • Number of Awards: 417 grants awarded in 2023
  • Application Method: Online through SmartSimple portal

Contact Details

Website: https://www.cicf.org/

General Inquiries:

Grant Support:

Pre-Application Support: Organizations are strongly encouraged to contact their community leadership officer before applying. Email GrantSupport@cicf.org to identify your assigned officer.

Overview

The Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) was established in 1997 through a partnership between the Indianapolis Foundation and the Legacy Fund of Hamilton County (now Hamilton County Community Foundation). As steward of over $925 million in charitable assets, CICF is among the top foundations in Indiana. The foundation provided $33,412,041 in grants across 417 awards in 2023, investing in effective central Indiana nonprofits that promote thriving communities. CICF's strategic approach centers on trust-based philanthropy, providing unrestricted organizational support to help nonprofits realize their missions. Under CEO Jennifer Bartenbach's leadership since 2023, CICF has expanded its strategic vision to serve a nine-county Central Indiana region, aiming to make the area "the most connected, philanthropic, and impactful community in the country." Notable achievements include completion of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and over $146 million awarded through the Efroymson Family Fund alone.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CICF allocates funding through three channels: Competitive grants, Proactive grants, and Donor grants. Key programs include:

Summer Youth Program Fund (SYPF)

  • Supports high-quality, safe, positive experiences for Marion County children and teens ages 4-24
  • Low to no cost to families
  • Application deadline: August 18 - October 17 (for following summer)

Women's Fund of Central Indiana

  • Annual grant round for organizations serving Central Indiana women and/or girls
  • Competitive application process

Central Indiana Senior Fund

  • Supports programs for older adults ages 55+ in eight counties (Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan, Shelby)
  • Focus on low-to-moderate-income or isolated populations
  • Four impact areas: basic needs, health and wellness, living environment of choice, life-affirming opportunities
  • Has awarded over $15 million to approximately 150 organizations since 2005
  • Deadline: April 30 at 4:00 p.m. ET

Indianapolis Immigrant Legal Services Fund

  • Provides equitable access to legal support and representation for immigrant Hoosiers in Marion County

Library Fund

  • Supports projects increasing literacy, information literacy, and information access for Marion County residents

Efroymson Family Fund

  • Supports efforts to promote Indianapolis viability
  • Over $146 million awarded to date
  • Larger grant amounts available

Specialized Programs:

  • Elevation Grant Program: up to $250,000
  • Crime Prevention Grant Program (Council District): up to $40,000
  • Artist Ambassadors Travel Grants: up to $5,000

Application methods vary by program: online portal (SmartSimple), some rolling basis, others with fixed deadlines.

Priority Areas

Marion County Focus:

  • Family stabilization
  • Economic mobility
  • Criminal justice reform
  • Neighborhood empowerment and placemaking
  • Dismantling systemic racism

Hamilton County Focus:

  • Mental health
  • Family and youth empowerment
  • Inclusive economic growth

Cross-County Priorities:

  • Quality of life improvements for Central Indiana residents
  • Arts and culture (including Indianapolis Cultural Trail)
  • Senior services
  • Youth development
  • Women's and girls' empowerment
  • Immigrant support
  • Literacy and education

What They Don't Fund

Organizations must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status to be eligible. Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed on their website. Applicants are encouraged to contact CICF staff to discuss fit before applying.

Governance and Leadership

CEO: Jennifer Bartenbach (since July 2023)

  • Previously with CICF for over 10 years before becoming CEO
  • Succeeded Brian Payne after his 23-year tenure
  • On her priorities: "Even though I have been with CICF for over 10 years, I am going into the role committed to listening and learning from the staff, our board of directors and the community."
  • On strategic vision: "CICF's goal is to make Central Indiana the most connected, philanthropic, and impactful community in the country."

CFO: Erin Tanner

Board Structure: The CICF Board of Directors comprises 21 members:

  • 12 directors self-elected by the CICF board
  • 6 Indianapolis Foundation directors
  • 3 Hamilton County Community Foundation directors

Board members represent diverse sectors including:

  • Corporate leadership (Cummins Inc., J.P. Morgan Private Bank)
  • Philanthropic organizations (Eli Lilly and Company Foundation)
  • Community organizations

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Pre-Application Consultation: CICF strongly encourages applicants to contact their community leadership officer before applying. To identify your officer, email GrantSupport@cicf.org.

  2. Organization Profile: Update your organization profile annually. All applications require a complete, up-to-date profile (within the previous calendar year) before starting a new funding request.

  3. Application Submission: Submit applications through the SmartSimple online platform by the specific deadline for each grant opportunity.

  4. Current Opportunities: CICF maintains a list of open grant opportunities with deadlines and anticipated decision dates at cicf.org/grants.

Important Policy: If you have an open grant with a specific funding opportunity, you will not be considered for another grant from that funding opportunity until the earlier grant round is completed. Generally, each funding opportunity supports one request per year.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program and are posted with each grant opportunity. CICF maintains updated information about anticipated decision dates for each open opportunity on their website.

One streamlined program reduced wait time from application to funding from an average of 90 days to only five days, though this is not typical for all programs.

Notification methods are specified for each grant program.

Success Rates

In 2023, CICF made 417 grant awards. Specific success rates and application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed. Contact CICF directly for more information about competitiveness of specific programs.

Reapplication Policy

When an application is declined, CICF staff will either make recommendations on ways to improve your request or advise on how your organization's programming can be improved or adjusted to align better with funding priorities. Staff may also connect organizations with community resources or networks.

Specific reapplication timeframes after a declined application are not publicly stated. Given that each funding opportunity generally supports one request per year, unsuccessful applicants should consult with CICF staff about timing for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

CICF's Trust-Based Approach

CICF's annual competitive grant round is designed around trust-based philanthropy, which reimagines the role foundations can have in building a more just and equitable society through charitable giving, putting donor and recipient on equal footing and fostering mutual accountability through transparency. The foundation awards unrestricted organizational support to help nonprofits realize their missions and better serve constituents.

What CICF Values

Demonstrated Impact: Combine showing impact through metrics, success stories, and testimonials with the trust-based approach. CEO Jennifer Bartenbach notes the importance of "Regional collaboration" which "attracts more attention from funders."

Transparency and Accountability: Be open about financials, operations, and impact measurement methodologies. Provide regular updates and progress reports to build trust.

Engagement: CICF values organizations that offer meaningful opportunities for connection to causes, including volunteer activities, site visits, or participation in decision-making processes.

Alignment with Geographic Priorities: Ensure your work clearly serves Marion County, Hamilton County, or the broader nine-county Central Indiana region.

Alignment with County-Specific Focus Areas: Review whether your work addresses Marion County priorities (family stabilization, economic mobility, criminal justice reform, neighborhood empowerment, dismantling systemic racism) or Hamilton County priorities (mental health, family and youth empowerment, inclusive economic growth).

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

  • Teter Organic Farm: $17,000 from Crosser Family Foundation to increase access to healthy food for vulnerable populations while providing ecological education (2025)
  • City of Boonville: $8,000 to assess structural stability of Mount Liberty Baptist Church, supporting African American historic sites (2024)
  • Senior-serving organizations: $910,000 to 42 organizations through Central Indiana Senior Fund (2024)
  • Various nonprofits: Over $1.5 million through Hamilton County Community Foundation, Women's Fund, and Senior Fund competitive rounds (2024)

Staff Guidance and Support

CICF staff actively support applicants through the process. Reaching out to discuss your needs and ideas before applying is not just encouraged—it's a key part of their approach. Staff will help you understand whether your organization is a good fit and guide you on the best timing and approach for your request.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Connect before you apply: Contact your community leadership officer (find via GrantSupport@cicf.org) to discuss your project before submitting an application. This consultation is strongly encouraged and can improve your chances.

  • Trust-based means unrestricted: CICF's competitive grants provide unrestricted organizational support, so focus on your organization's overall mission and impact rather than just project-specific needs.

  • Update your profile annually: Ensure your organization profile in the SmartSimple system is complete and current (within the previous calendar year) before starting any application.

  • One grant per opportunity per year: Don't apply to the same funding opportunity more than once per year. If you have an open grant, you can't apply for another from that opportunity until it's completed.

  • Geographic alignment matters: Clearly demonstrate how your work serves Marion County, Hamilton County, or the broader Central Indiana region and aligns with county-specific priorities.

  • Transparency builds trust: CICF values open communication about financials, operations, and impact. Be prepared to share metrics, success stories, and your approach to measuring outcomes.

  • Emphasize collaboration: Regional collaboration is valued by CICF leadership. Highlight partnerships and collaborative approaches when relevant.

References

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