Nonprofits

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Overview

For charitable organizations, putting ideas into motion takes funding. The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana is dedicated to helping nonprofits improve the quality of life in our community.

The information below will help our nonprofit partners better understand the resources available to them from the Community Foundation as well grant opportunities that can help them serve our region:


Capacity Building Grant Program

The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Capacity Building Grants Program is dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations’ capacity, so that they may continue to provide the essential services that they are uniquely positioned to offer in our community. The year-round program is intended to serve organizations in both Clark and Floyd Counties in Indiana. A capacity building grant recognizes the need for effective management of the organization and provides funding to support administrative systems and operations. Ultimately, these grants are intended to help build organizational effectiveness and further the success of the organization’s mission.


Community Assist Grants

To better suit the needs of our community and provide more impactful grant making, organizations can apply for a Community Assist Grant. Community Assist Grants are for support of a program or activity through a one-time grant with a grant value of $1,000-$5,000. (Click here for a great example of an Assist Grant project.) The Foundation intends for Assist Grants to be available for any focus area but support a program or activity that will positively impact the lives of people living in Clark and Floyd counties. Nonprofit organizations that have questions about the appropriateness of a proposed request can contact Crystal Gunther, Vice President of Community Philanthropy: cgunther@cfsouthernindiana.com.


Emergency Grants

If you represent a charitable organization and you wish to apply for an emergency grant, you will need to review the Emergency Grants section of the Foundation’s Grant Policy and Guidelines and then complete an Emergency Grant Request online.


Quality of Place – Pathways to Progress Grants

The Foundation’s Quality of Place – Pathways to Progress Grants will focus on serving people with the least access to safe, high-quality public places and amenities, typically those who have low incomes and/or who have transportation or mobility challenges or physical and/or mental differences. When their lives are improved, our communities are more welcoming and attractive to all residents, tourists, and employers.


United Community

United Community is a community-wide initiative to deploy an innovative shared technology platform to initiate and close referrals across many organizations. It reduces barriers to access for citizens by streamlining navigation across the multitude of services offered by our health, education and human services sectors.


Youth Philanthropy Council Grants

Annually, the Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) awards grants to nonprofits who focus on youth related activities and with programs or projects that benefit the youth of Clark and Floyd counties.


Dates to Remember

Grant application periods will be open all year round with quarterly deadlines and awards, allowing an organization to apply for grants to fulfill their needs when the time is right for them.


Tips for Grant Writing

If you’re interested in applying for any of the Foundation’s grants, we recommend reviewing our Tips for Grant Writing page.


Community Needs Assessment

Nonprofits considering applying for a grant from CFSI should utilize the Foundation’s Community Needs Assessment to ensure their grant would address a community need.

In 2015, CFSI surveyed Clark and Floyd county residents, nonprofit community service organizations, business and community leaders, and our own fund holders to develop strategic community goals based on needs and priorities. The 2020 Assessment of Needs and Priorities in Clark and Floyd Counties – known as the Priorities for Progress: Assets and Aspirations in Southern Indiana 2021 – explores the community’s aspirations for building on its assets to address the area’s highest priorities and greatest challenges.

This report is helping the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana focus our grant making from the unrestricted Community Endowment Fund to directly address the greatest needs of our region as identified by our community’s residents, businesses and community leaders, and nonprofit service providers.

Click here to learn more about the Community Needs Assessment.

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