Apply for a Grant

The Community Foundation of Boone County exists to grow and maintain an endowment to support Boone County’s needs and improve the quality of life in our local communities. In partnership with our Fund Advisors, Board of Directors, and Grants Committee,               we award grants to Boone County-serving nonprofits to both identify and address      local unmet needs and how to eliminate the root causes of those needs. 

2025 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

In 2025, we will offer three competitive grant opportunities:

Capacity Building

Programming

Unrestricted

Eligible Boone County-serving nonprofits can submit one application per cycle, giving them the opportunity to apply for three CFBC grants in 2025. Click here to view the rubric that will be used by our Grants Committee to review applications.

In addition to these three competitive grant opportunities, nonprofits will also continue to have the quarterly opportunity to nominate for a Women of Impact grant, as well as apply to participate in the 2025 Boone County Leadership program.

Further information on each opportunity is provided below.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION PROCESS

In order to be eligible to apply for a 2025 programming, unrestricted, and/or a Women of Impact grant through the Community Foundation of Boone County, all nonprofit organizations need to submit a list of required documents through our online grantmaking system, GLM. 

 CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT OPPORTUNITY

The application is now closed for this 2025 opportunity.. 

Nonprofits serving Boone County have an incredible opportunity to elevate their fundraising expertise by participating in the Certificate of Fund Raising Management (CFRM) coursework through the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. This program offers unparalleled training in fundraising management, equipping participants with the tools and strategies needed to strengthen donor relationships, increase revenue, and enhance their organization’s long-term sustainability. Beyond the coursework, the cohort will consist of Boone County-serving peers, creating a unique environment for networking, collaboration, and shared learning tailored to the community’s needs. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your nonprofit’s future and drive meaningful impact in Boone County!

Selected cohort members will pay $1,000 to participate; the rest of the programming is covered by CFBC. The cohort is available on a first come first serve basis and applicants must commit to attending all of the class sessions from 8:30am-5pm, located in Boone County, on these 2025 dates: 2/11-12, 2/18-19, 3/18-20, 4/15-16, 5/7-9. Selected participants will be notified early January 2025.

    PROGRAMMING GRANT OPPORTUNITY

    Applications will be open May 27 – June 11, 2025. Grant recipients will be notified mid-August. 

    This grant cycle will support program needs for nonprofits, with the grant amounts being up to $10,000. Recipients will have one year to spend the grant funds.

    UNRESTRICTED GRANT OPPORTUNITY

    Applications will be open August 26 – September 10, 2025. Grant recipients will be notified the end of October. 

    This grant cycle will support unrestricted needs for nonprofits, with the grant amounts being up to $10,000. Recipients will have one year to spend the grant funds.

    WOMEN OF IMPACT GRANTS

    Boone County-serving nonprofits have the opportunity to nominate their organization four times each year, for a chance to be 1 of 3 presenters at each quarterly Women of Impact meeting. The quarterly grantees are determined by Women of Impact members. The grants are unrestricted dollars for the grantees and the recipients have one calendar year to use the dollars. Click here for more information on this program and grant opportunity.

    BOONE COUNTY LEADERSHIP

    Application is now open.

    In 2025, CFBC is relaunching Boone County Leadership. This group will gather once a month from June 2025 – May 2026 focused on developing a county-wide leadership network, equipping participants to become responsible, active, and well-informed citizens who are ready to collaboratively address local issues, embrace the growth coming to our community, and help Boone County excel as an exceptional place to live, work, and play. The curriculum provides a well-rounded education about important issues and facets of the county, while guiding participants on an intentional journey to further develop leadership skills. By the end of the program, individuals will be connected with like-minded people ready to get more involved in the community and drive positive change. Click here for more details on the program, including cost, dates, and FAQs.

    Click Here to Apply

    Our annual grant cycle changes from year to year, so we encourage nonprofits to stay up to date with our grant opportunities when planning out future initiatives and grant funding. Some of our grants are awarded to nonprofits through a recommendation from a fund advisor, while other grants are awarded through a competitive application process. Applicants should thoroughly read the requirements and qualifications before applying for a grant to determine eligibility, and should also keep in mind that those applying may or may not receive funding – and those who do receive funding may not receive 100% of their request.

    Community meeting

    Application Procedures

    To apply for grants, all nonprofit organizations will need to create a username and password on our grantmaking system, GLM. Once an account is created, you’ll use this system to apply for grants, submit completed grant agreements, final reports, and more. Contact our office with any questions!

    Reporting Requirements

    Grant reporting requirements vary based on the type of grant and where the funds originated from. Specific requirements for each awarded grant are listed in the grant agreement, which must be signed by the grantee before funds can be awarded. Any questions on reporting can be directed to our staff.

    Interested in funding?

    We are always interested in learning about new organizations, programs, and initiatives. Nonprofits may complete a letter of inquiry via our online portal. Completing the letter of inquiry does not guarantee a review for funding. If more information about your work is needed, a staff member will call and may request a site visit. The CFBC staff regularly pass grant requests along to fund advisors, in effort to match our donors with needs that align with their philanthropic goals and passions.

    Visit Online Portal

    Community Grant Opportunities

    These grants are offered through various entities, not through CFBC. Please contact them directly with questions.

    Do you offer a grant that you would like added to this page? Let us know

     

     

    • Boone REMC Operation Round Up Grant – This grant awards up to $10,000 to an eligible nonprofit to make a big impact on our community, in the categories of community service, economic development, education & youth, environment, disaster relief, or any combination of the preceding. Eligible nonprofits must be located in within the Boone REMC service territory. Grants are awarded bi-monthly.
    • Community Enrichment Grant – This grant enhances the quality of life for residents, business owners, and visitors to the Town of Zionsville. Eligible nonprofits must be located in Boone County & serve Zionsville residents and businesses. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Awards are made on a semi-annual basis: March 30 & September 30.
    • Dollar General Literacy Grants – The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards grants to support literacy and learning. Eligible nonprofits must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store. Grants are awarded on various dates throughout the year.
    • Duke Energy Foundation Grant– The Duke Energy Foundation is committed to making strategic investments to build powerful communities where nature and wildlife thrive, students can excel and a talented workforce drives economic prosperity for all. Grants are awarded on various dates throughout the year.
    • Historical Preservation Fund (HPF) Grant Program– This federal program of the National Park Services is intended to assist important local preservation projects and makes subgrant awards in 3 project categories through an annual competitive funding round. Eligible applicants include registered nonprofits, county & municipal government agencies, colleges & universities. Grant application deadline is the first Friday in October, selected projects are notified in February, projects must be completed by June 30 of the following year (ensuring to follow the State grant agreement).
    • Indiana Afterschool Network – Indiana Afterschool Network provides funding opportunities to help afterschool and learning programs with the resources they need to develop & grow. This link provides a comprehensive list of their own grants, as well as many other grant opportunities throughout the state of Indiana. Grants are awarded on various dates throughout the year.
    • Indiana Humanities Grants – Indiana Humanities offers a number of grant opportunities each year. View all of their grant opportunities on this page; make sure you scroll down to see the open grants. Grants are awarded on various dates throughout the year.
    • SIA Foundation Grant – The SIA Foundation awarded grants to improve the quality of life & help meet the needs of residents, in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, and Health & Welfare. There are spring & fall grant cycles with specific application timelines.
    • Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI) – This initiative helps to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people aged five to 18. Lilly Endowment is making available up to $45 million in grants. IPA members are encouraged to reach out to their youth-serving nonprofit partners to apply.
    • Women of Impact Grant – Each quarter, the members of Women of Impact meet & vote on which nonprofit to award the quarterly grant to. Eligible nonprofits must serve Boone County; the fourth quarter grantee also must serve children & women. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis at the Women of Impact meetings.