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The Indianapolis Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.8M
Grant Range
Up to $0.1M00
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
15%

The Indianapolis Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately $2.8 million+ (recent competitive round)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (high competition due to large applicant pool)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; applications reviewed at least annually
  • Grant Range: Up to $75,000 (Competitive Round)
  • Geographic Focus: Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Endowment: $125 million permanent endowment

Contact Details

Address: 615 N. Alabama Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 634-2423
Website: indianapolisfoundation.org
Grant Support Email: TIFrequests@cicf.org
Grants Portal Email: GrantSupport@cicf.org
Grants Portal: cicf.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp

Pre-Application Support: Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Indianapolis Foundation staff regarding funding opportunities before submitting a proposal to discuss alignment with funding priorities.

Overview

The Indianapolis Foundation Inc (EIN: 45-4618430) was formed in 2012 and operates as an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). The Foundation mobilizes people, ideas, and investment to make Indianapolis a community where all individuals have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential, no matter place, race, or identity. With a $125 million permanent endowment, the Foundation makes grants annually to effective nonprofit organizations serving Marion County. In September 2024, the Foundation announced its bold five-year strategic plan, Equity Imperative 2030, which focuses on four critical priorities: housing equity, economic equity, health equity, and environmental equity. Ahmed Young was named President and CEO in July 2025, bringing a commitment to equity and systemic change that aligns with the Foundation's strategic direction. The Foundation emphasizes a community asset-based approach and has publicly committed to actively increasing BIPOC representation in positions of influence and power throughout Indianapolis.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Competitive Grant Round (Annual)

  • Amount: Up to $75,000
  • Type: General operating support, programs, projects, or capacity building
  • Budget Limit: Requested amount should not exceed 30% of organization's current fiscal year board-approved budget
  • Application Method: Online portal (SmartSimple), reviewed at least annually
  • Geographic Focus: Organizations must both serve communities in Indianapolis and have an established office in Indianapolis
  • Frequency: One request per year per funding opportunity

Elevation Grant Program

  • Total Investment: $45 million over three years (2021-2024)
  • Funding Source: Partnership with City of Indianapolis using ARPA recovery funds
  • Focus: Address root causes of violent crime through prevention and intervention efforts
  • Priority Populations: Communities disproportionately impacted by violence, especially Black and Latino males ages 18-35, and youth ages 12-18
  • Impact: Indianapolis experienced a 31% reduction in criminal homicides and 20% reduction in non-fatal shootings over first two years

Other Opportunities

  • Donor-advised funds and field-of-interest funds make grants throughout the year
  • IMPACT funds available for investments in both for-profit and nonprofit entities with social/charitable components

Priority Areas (Equity Imperative 2030)

Housing Equity

  • Eradicating homelessness through comprehensive adoption of Housing First model
  • Reducing evictions, particularly for single-parent households
  • Enhancing tenant advocacy and implementing systemic housing solutions
  • Ensuring safe, stable, and affordable housing for all

Economic Equity

  • Expanding opportunities for financial stability and wealth-building
  • Inclusive economic growth initiatives
  • Supporting BIPOC businesses and entrepreneurship

Health Equity

  • Community-led violence reduction strategies
  • Addressing social impediments to health
  • Improving mental health supports
  • Trauma-informed care for affected youth

Environmental Equity

  • Enhancing renewable energy access through Solar for All initiative
  • Lowering utility bills for low-to-moderate income residents
  • Building community resilience
  • Engaging communities in environmental programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations or projects that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or sexual orientation
  • Political campaigns or direct lobbying efforts by 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Post-event expenses or debt retirement
  • Projects aimed at promoting a particular religion
  • Organizations not located in or serving Marion County

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Ahmed Young, President and CEO (appointed July 2025, started September 1, 2025)

  • Previously served as Director of Public and Government Affairs at Walmart Corporate Affairs division
  • Background in education, government, and law in Indianapolis
  • About his priorities, Young stated the Foundation focuses on "innovation, justice, and partnership"
  • On the Foundation's mission, Young said they invest in nonprofits "to create opportunity, no matter race, place or identity, right here in the city of Indianapolis"

Board of Trustees

Kathy Davis, Board Chair

  • On Young's appointment, Davis stated: "His commitment to equity and systemic change aligns powerfully with our Equity Imperative 2030 strategic plan"

Board Structure

  • Six-member board of trustees composed of private citizens
  • Two appointments each made by: the Mayor of Indianapolis, the Judge of Marion Circuit Court, and federal court judges exercising jurisdiction over Southern District of Indiana
  • Trustees selected for deep knowledge of community and commitment to public interest
  • Six-year terms without compensation
  • Reappointment allowed

Staff Positions Include

  • Vice President of Grantmaking
  • Senior Director of Communications and Community Engagement
  • Director of Special Programs
  • Senior Community Leadership Officers (specialized in areas including Housing and Homelessness)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Application Contact Before submitting, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Indianapolis Foundation staff to:

  • Learn about the organization
  • Discuss alignment with funding priorities
  • Contact: TIFrequests@cicf.org

Application Submission

  • All applications must be submitted through the IF Grants Portal (powered by SmartSimple)
  • Requires complete and up-to-date organization profile before starting a new funding request
  • Late proposals will not be considered
  • Grants Portal 101 Guide available for assistance

Application Preview

  • Application guide released in July (for upcoming rounds)
  • Organizations can download a preview of grant application questions in advance
  • Evaluation rubric available for review before submission
  • Strongly encouraged to review materials before application portal opens (typically July 15)

Decision Timeline

  • Applications reviewed at least annually for Competitive Round
  • Specific notification timelines not publicly disclosed
  • Due to large application volume, Foundation may not be able to fully or partially fund all proposals
  • Organizations with an open grant from a specific funding opportunity will not be considered for another grant from that same opportunity until earlier grant is completed

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However:

  • Due to large number of applications received each round, competition is high
  • Foundation notes they "may not be able to fully or partially fund all proposals"
  • Recent round (2023) awarded $1,460,200 to 37 organizations from Competitive Round

Reapplication Policy

For Unsuccessful Applicants:

  • Reapplication is allowed
  • When an application is declined, IF staff will either:
    • Make recommendations on ways to improve the request
    • Advise on how programming can be improved or adjusted to align better with funding priorities
    • Connect applicants with community resources or networks
    • Communicate if there is no alignment at this time

Timing:

  • Generally, each funding opportunity supports one request per year
  • If an organization has an open grant with a specific funding opportunity, it will not be considered for another grant from that opportunity until the earlier grant is completed

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities

Competitive Round applications must align with IF's Equity Imperative 2030 strategic plan and demonstrate focus on housing, economic, health, and/or environmental equity. The Foundation has created resources including definitions of key terms and baseline metrics to help applicants align proposals with strategic priorities.

Board Diversity and Leadership

The Foundation prioritizes funding for organizations whose board of directors is made up of at least 25% of individuals from priority populations, including BIPOC individuals and other historically marginalized groups as outlined in their strategic plan.

Community-Based Approach

Proposals should demonstrate:

  • A history of providing services to Indianapolis residents using a community asset-based approach
  • Authentic engagement with communities served
  • Alignment with grassroots leadership and resident voices

Strong Financial and Operational Planning

Successful proposals include:

  • A clear plan for how the organization will allocate sufficient financial and human resources to operate within the proposed budget
  • Budget requests that do not exceed 30% of organization's current fiscal year board-approved budget

Performance Metrics and Impact Measurement

  • Applicants are required to select or identify unique metrics to demonstrate the impact of their organization's work
  • Each applicant submits metrics in the application that will be utilized in the reporting process if awarded
  • The Foundation provides baseline metrics definitions to assist with this requirement

Geographic Eligibility

  • Organizations must both serve communities in Indianapolis AND have an established office in Indianapolis
  • Marion County focus is strict requirement

Pre-Application Engagement

Organizations that reach out to staff before applying demonstrate:

  • Commitment to alignment
  • Willingness to collaborate
  • Understanding of Foundation priorities

The Foundation explicitly states: "Applicants are encouraged to discuss the framework with IF staff if there are any questions."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Equity alignment is essential: Your proposal must clearly connect to at least one of the four equity priorities (housing, economic, health, environmental) and demonstrate how your work advances equity for BIPOC and marginalized communities in Indianapolis
  • Board diversity matters: Organizations with at least 25% BIPOC representation on their boards receive priority consideration—this is a strategic priority for the Foundation
  • Contact staff before applying: The Foundation explicitly encourages pre-application contact to discuss alignment—take advantage of this to strengthen your proposal and ensure fit
  • Budget proportionality is enforced: Your grant request cannot exceed 30% of your organization's annual budget, so smaller organizations may need to request less than the $75,000 maximum
  • Metrics are required: You must propose specific, measurable outcomes that align with the Foundation's baseline metrics framework—review these definitions carefully before applying
  • Community-based approach is valued: Demonstrate authentic community engagement, grassroots leadership, and an asset-based (not deficit-based) approach to serving Indianapolis residents
  • One shot per year: You can only apply once per funding opportunity per year, so ensure your application is thoroughly prepared and aligned before submission

References

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