Best Dearborn County Grants for Nonprofits in Indiana

The 2026 Rare Cancers Research Program Resource and Community Development Award aims to enhance rare cancer research through improved resources and datasets. It addresses critical gaps in research resources, communication strategies, and data sharing infrastructures. Key features include engaging patient advocates throughout the research process and ensuring sustainability of community platforms. This funding opportunity emphasizes community building and the dissemination of findings to benefit scientific and patient communities alike.

INDOT Mission

Together, we plan, deliver, and maintain a safe, efficient, and innovative transportation system that:

• Enhances the daily lives of Hoosiers.
• Strengthens Indiana’s economy
• Embraces evolving transportation needs.

Rural Transit Programs

Purpose

The Federal Section 5311 Program was created to provide public transportation in non-urbanized areas (population of 50,000 or less). The purpose of the program is to provide transportation to people living in rural areas. The Federal Section 5311 Program supports rural public transportation through operating, capital, and intercity transit funding.

Capital Project Grants

Capital projects generally include expenses for purchasing vehicles, communication equipment, fare boxes, passenger shelters, and construction of and rehabilitation of transit facilities. Section 5311 capital assistance may fund up to 80 percent of the total capital costs.

INDOT Mission

Together, we plan, deliver, and maintain a safe, efficient, and innovative transportation system that:

• Enhances the daily lives of Hoosiers.
• Strengthens Indiana’s economy
• Embraces evolving transportation needs.

Rural Transit Programs

Purpose

The Federal Section 5311 Program was created to provide public transportation in non-urbanized areas (population of 50,000 or less). The purpose of the program is to provide transportation to people living in rural areas. The Federal Section 5311 Program supports rural public transportation through operating, capital, and intercity transit funding.

Intercity Projects

Section 5311(f) also funds capital, operating, planning and marketing projects for intercity transportation projects. An intercity project is defined as public transit service with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more urban areas. Projects may also include the transportation of residents of non-urbanized areas to and from urbanized areas.

Intercity capital projects funded under Section 5311(f) are also funded at the eighty percent level.

Indiana Criminal Justice Institute

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is the state planning agency for criminal justice, juvenile justice, traffic safety and victim services. The institute develops long-range strategies for the effective administration of Indiana's criminal and juvenile justice systems and administers state and federal funds to carry out these strategies.

Through the use of evidence-based decision-making, ICJI works to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system, from calls for service through post-conviction. The agency accomplishes this by bringing together key leaders from the criminal justice system at the state, local, and national levels to identify critical issues facing Indiana. The agency evaluates policies, programs, and legislation designed to address these issues. ICJI is designated as the State Administering Agency for distribution of federal funds, and as the State Statistical Analysis Center for research.

Sexual Assault Victim Assistance Fund Grant

Funded by the Indiana General Assembly, the Sexual Assault Victim Assistance Fund (SAVAF) program aims to provide a comprehensive statewide response for victims of sexual assault.

The Sexual Assault Victim Assistance Fund (SAVAF) was created to:

• Establish and maintain Rape Crisis Centers (RCC);
• Enhance services provided by existing Rape Crisis Centers; and
• Develop, implement, and expand trauma-informed sexual assault services.

SAVAF is a reimbursement-based grant.

About the Indiana State Department of Agriculture

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was established as a state agency by the Legislature in 2005. ISDA reports to the Lt. Governor, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant Program

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (“ISDA”), Division of Economic Development is seeking applications for the Indiana Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Program (RFSI) to carry out projects that enhance the resilience of middle-of-the-food-supply-chain.  Applicants/Grantees applying for infrastructure program funding are permitted to claim indirect costs under the RFSI Program, not to exceed the 10% de minimis cap. Applicants/Grantees applying for special equipment-only funding are not eligible to claim indirect costs. ISDA encourages applications from woman or veteran owned businesses, socially disadvantaged businesses and historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and underserved communities.

Grant funding may not be used on meat, poultry, wild caught seafood, food for animal consumption or dietary supplements. If these items are included in your project, your project must clearly define what percentage of your project will include these items and you must be able to demonstrate that no grant or matching funds are used for those portions of the project.

Projects must choose ONE of two project options: Option 1- Special Equipment Only; Option 2- Infrastructure Projects. You may not do both project options.

Option 1- Special Equipment Only

For this project pathway, grant funding requests must be between $10,000 and $100,000. The only eligible expense in the budget for this project is the special equipment to be purchased. The equipment does not have to be American made and can be a used piece of equipment as long as the equipment is in good, working order. You may not include training for the piece of equipment in the budget. You may include installation of equipment if it is included in the quote and does not require construction of the space the equipment will be placed in. Matching funds are not required for Special Equipment Only projects. 

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program offers funding to eligible entities for developing local solutions to water management issues. This initiative supports watershed group development, restoration planning, and project design, promoting stakeholder cooperation and improving water reliability. It aligns with key priorities from the Trump administration, addressing complex water challenges and enhancing federal grant oversight. By facilitating these efforts, the program aims to stretch limited water resources and foster collaborative solutions among diverse stakeholders.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is inviting applications for the Clinical Trial Cooperative Agreement Program. This funding opportunity supports investigator-initiated, interventional clinical trials at various phases. Initial funding will facilitate the preparation needed to start trials, with successful milestones leading to further support. NIAMS emphasizes hypothesis-driven trials that promise significant clinical impact within its research mission.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is launching a funding opportunity for Exploratory Clinical Trials Grants. This program aims to support innovative clinical trials that enhance the understanding and treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal and skin conditions. Research proposals should focus on early-stage trials, including first-in-human studies, dose-finding, and biomarker evaluation. The initiative encourages the translation of promising laboratory findings into effective clinical practices, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

About the Indiana State Department of Agriculture

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was established as a state agency by the Legislature in 2005. ISDA reports to the Lt. Governor, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant Program

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (“ISDA”), Division of Economic Development is seeking applications for the Indiana Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Program (RFSI) to carry out projects that enhance the resilience of middle-of-the-food-supply-chain.  Applicants/Grantees applying for infrastructure program funding are permitted to claim indirect costs under the RFSI Program, not to exceed the 10% de minimis cap. Applicants/Grantees applying for special equipment-only funding are not eligible to claim indirect costs. ISDA encourages applications from woman or veteran owned businesses, socially disadvantaged businesses and historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and underserved communities.

Grant funding may not be used on meat, poultry, wild caught seafood, food for animal consumption or dietary supplements. If these items are included in your project, your project must clearly define what percentage of your project will include these items and you must be able to demonstrate that no grant or matching funds are used for those portions of the project.

Projects must choose ONE of two project options: Option 1- Special Equipment Only; Option 2- Infrastructure Projects. You may not do both project options.

Option 2- Infrastructure Projects

For this project pathway, grant funding requests must be between $100,000 and $3 million. Matching funds of 50% of the total project cost are required unless the applicant qualifies as a Historically Underserved Farmer or Rancher by the USDA standards or a Socially Disadvantaged Business, Women Owned or Veteran Owned business by SBA standards (See Section A for definitions), then you qualify for a 25% match of the total project cost. Infrastructure projects may include, but are not limited to: construction, transportation, equipment, training, renovation, or expansion. Please contact ISDA if you have questions regarding eligibility of your infrastructure project.

Mission

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs works with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to aid communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development.

Recovery Housing Program

Program Description

The Recovery Housing Program (RHP), authorized by the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act), assists local government units and their eligible nonprofit partners (if applicable) in providing individuals recovering from substance use disorders with temporary transitional housing (up to two years) as they work toward sober, independent living. Competitive projects must

demonstrate the following:

• The project must directly advance the objectives of the SUPPORT Act.
• The project must fulfill the national objectives outlined in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended and modified by FR-6225-N-01.
• The project supports the community’s long-term planning and development goals.
• The funds granted will significantly advance the project’s success.
• The community has demonstrated clear evidence of strong local support and a commitment to the project’s long-term sustainability.
• The project must be prepared to commence upon receipt of the grant.

Indiana DWD – Who We Are

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) strengthens Indiana by understanding workforce needs, aligning resources, and providing access to services that empower Hoosiers to thrive in an ever-changing economy. By helping to ensure economic security and better employment outcomes for all Indiana residents, the state government agency prides itself on acting with integrity, accountability, and respectfulness while continuously striving to support employers, as well as guide and upskill job seekers.

Education & Advanced Manufacturing/Logistics Apprenticeship Grant Opportunity (Round 1)

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from qualified non-profit organizations to facilitate the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and Certified Pre-Apprenticeship in both number of available programs and individual participants in the occupations of Education as well as Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. The outcome of this expansion will focus on the number of programs created, number of participants assisted, as well as the development of communities of practice through award recipients. 

Funds not distributed in the first round will be available in subsequent rounds of grant opportunities.

Family and Social Services Administration of Indiana

We are steadfast in our mission to break the cycle of poverty by providing Hoosiers with the healthcare, social services, and support necessary to achieve lasting economic independence. Through thoughtfully designed and fiscally sustainable programs, we equip individuals and families with the resources and opportunities they need to build stability, reclaim dignity, and secure long-term success.

School Age Child Care Grant

The Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning will support licensed/regulated school-age child care programs in public school corporations, as authorized by IC 12-17-12, or a child care program that is also a not-for-profit organization, exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants may request a maximum of $40,000 per county. As outlined in IC 12-17-12-16, awarded Grants cannot exceed 90% of the Grantee’s total annual program operating costs. This is a cost reimbursement grant; thus, no funds will be disbursed in advance.

Programs must have been open and operating their school-age child care program for at least one (1) full year preceding the date of application for the School Age Child Care grant and remain in good standing through the entire grant period, and serve children between the ages of five (5) and fifteen (15) years which includes:

• Before and/or after school care offered during the regular school year or during the summer, if summer school is offered.
• Care provided during periods when school is not in session, excluding summer break
• Before and/or after school care for children who attend kindergarten (enrolled in either a full-day or half-day program).

Our Mission: To advance opportunity, affordability, and stability in housing

Individual Development Account (IDA) Program

The Individual Development Account (IDA) Program is an asset development program that assists low-moderate income individuals and families in breaking trends of generational poverty, improving their quality of life, and attaining self-sufficiency through matched savings incentive, education, and building personal financial skills. IDA was established in 1997 through Indiana State legislation (I.C. 4-4-28) and is currently fully State-funded. IDA is administered locally by non-profit community-based organizations with oversight by IHCDA.

Program Summary

Individual Development Accounts are matched savings accounts designed to encourage lowincome families to save for the purchase of an asset. Participants in the program are required to successfully complete financial education as well as training related to a specific asset purchase.

The program round comprises four program years. The round should be broken down as follows: three years for a participant to save, and one year for the IDA Administrator to work on some combination of the following: enrollment, asset purchase, account close-out and reporting.

The objective of the IDA Program is to assist people with limited means in achieving financial independence and becoming financially self-sufficient by providing them the skills to:

• Develop a budget and set goals
• Establish regular saving habits
• Invest in assets

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a federally funded investment that provides funds to States, territories, tribes, and local agencies to support services and activities that reduce poverty and empower low-income families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency. To help Hoosiers in need, IHCDA is mandated to disseminate CSBG funding to selected community action agencies statewide. Nationally, more than 1000 local community action agencies fight poverty and build self-sufficiency for strong families and communities. 

The Community Services Block Grant Act (CSBG) (49 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) is a noncompetitive federally funded block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program is meant to support the national network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and their work to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty.

The federal Community Action Program was founded in 1964 by the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA), as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Originally, federal Community Action Program funds flowed directly to local public and private CAAs. In 1981, Congress repealed the federal Community Action Program and replaced it with CSBG, a state-administered block grant.

Community action's mission is to address the issues of poverty and to increase the self-sufficiency of low-income families. They offer a broad range of anti-poverty programs and work collaboratively with other agencies to build a network of support for Indiana’s most vulnerable populations. CSBG programs include:

• Housing and related services.
• Reduction of Poverty.
• Revitalization of low-income communities.
• Empowering low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become self-sufficient.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) provides funding for essential services, operations, and homeless prevention activities to emergency homeless shelters, transitional housing for the homeless, and day/night homeless shelters. These programs provide basic needs of shelter, food, clothing, and other necessities, and many also provide case management, referrals, rental assistance, and other services to individuals and/or families who are in need of assistance.

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), provides crucial housing funding to non-profit organizations assisting individuals and families affected by AIDS/HIV. Available in 77 counties across Indiana, it prioritizes agencies dedicated to supporting these vulnerable populations, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and support to thrive in their communities.

About Us

Indiana State Parks traces its history back to 1916. Colonel Richard Lieber, an Indianapolis businessman and German immigrant, recommended that a state park system be created as part of Indiana’s celebration of its centennial. Lieber became a national leader in the state parks movement and assisted other states in forming their own systems as well. He became the first Director of the Indiana Department of Conservation, serving for more than a decade.

Indiana Trails Program

The Indiana Trails Program (ITP) is a grant program to support the development of trails throughout the state. The program uses state funds to help connect Hoosiers to outdoor recreation opportunities and natural environments without needing to rely on the use of a vehicle.

How much grant funding is available to applicants?

• The Indiana Trails Program will provide a maximum of 80% reimbursement for eligible projects, up to the maximum grant award amount. The applicant must have at least 20% of the total project cost available at the point of application.
• The grant request minimum is $100,000, and the maximum is $400,000.

About Us

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is an agency of state government, and its funding comes from the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

A core component to the Indiana Arts Commission’s commitment to investing in the state’s vibrant and rich arts and culture sector are grants, which support people and communities through arts organizations and arts projects.

America250 Grant Program

About the Program

In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Indiana Arts Commission accepted applications for arts projects, in any discipline, that celebrate American history and connect participants to that history.

The America250 Grant Program is a one-time program made possible through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Indiana General Assembly.

Applicants could request up to $5,000. No matching funds are required.

Applicants recommended for funding will receive the full amount requested and are eligible to be paid in full at the beginning of the grant period provided they are in good standing and supply required information in a timely manner.

Lilly Foundation

To extend Lilly’s charitable reach and impact, the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation) was established in 1968 and is supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company.

The Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation supporting programs that align with its philanthropic priorities.

Grantmaking Approach

The Lilly Foundation’s work is guided by a charitable vision of a world where every person has an opportunity to live their healthiest life. Through grantmaking focused on Lilly Foundation’s charitable vision, grants can serve as a catalyst for closing gaps and empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

All proposals should demonstrate clear alignment with at least one focus area and include charitable outcomes that are measurable and consistent with the Foundation’s long-term charitable goals.

Global Health, K-12 STEM Education and Economic Mobility Grant

Focus Areas

Global Health

Lilly Foundation, through its charitable grants, aims to support permissible charitable efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for resource-limited communities in low- and lower-middleincome countries (L/LMICs) and in the United States. Strengthening access to care is essential for enhancing community well-being and supporting economic stability in resource-limited settings.

The Global Health focus area aims to close gaps in quality healthcare by supporting charitable solutions that improve access, bring care closer to where people live, and address the high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-limited settings. To the extent permissible, the Foundation prioritizes charitable efforts related to cardiometabolic health in resource-limited settings.

K-12 STEM Education

The K-12 STEM Education focus area aims to close the gaps for students from low-income communities by supporting programs that foster new pathways and pipelines to STEM education through focused K-12 efforts, concentrating on the critical middle school years. The Foundation’s K-12 STEM Education grants are focused on initiatives that benefit Marion County, Indiana.

Economic Mobility

The Economic Mobility focus area supports charitable and educational programs that strengthen workforce readiness, postsecondary and skills-based educational pathways, and housing stability to promote long-term prosperity. This support is focused on Marion County, Indiana, with the goal of improving economic opportunity for low-income communities and advancing community well-being.

The FY26 Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program's Military Medical Research and Development Award aims to fund the continuation of previous Department of War-funded research addressing high-priority medical needs for Service Members and Military Health System beneficiaries. It supports various projects, including late-stage preclinical studies and clinical research. Eligibility requires prior DOD funding, and a Clinical Research Option is available for studies involving human subjects or biological samples.

The Clinical Data, Safety and Statistical Centers (CDSSC) program, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), aims to enhance clinical research through comprehensive support. This includes statistical analysis, protocol development, and oversight of safety monitoring in studies related to asthma, autoimmune diseases, and transplantation. By coordinating these efforts, the program seeks to facilitate impactful research outcomes and improve public health outcomes through informed data-driven decisions.

The Translational Transplantation Tolerance Cooperative Study Group, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, aims to advance transplant tolerance strategies that promote long-term graft survival without lifelong immunosuppression. This initiative focuses on developing, optimizing, and evaluating methods to induce immune tolerance in allogeneic transplants through collaborative efforts across multiple centers, utilizing translationally relevant models to ensure effective outcomes.

The NIAID aims to enhance our understanding of the interplay between chronic and infectious diseases through innovative precision systems biology research. By utilizing advanced technologies such as multi-omics and artificial intelligence, the initiative focuses on uncovering critical pathways that connect infections to chronic health issues. This multidisciplinary approach leverages longitudinal patient data to inform and improve prevention and treatment strategies, ultimately seeking to provide insights into disease progression and host-pathogen interactions.

The Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (AADCRC) program, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), aims to enhance research on asthma and related allergic diseases. This initiative fosters multi-center, multidisciplinary research to explore disease mechanisms and treatment responses. By promoting clinical trials and observational studies, the AADCRC seeks to advance understanding and improve interventions for conditions such as asthma and food allergies, ultimately benefiting public health.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is advancing organ transplantation outcomes through the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children and Adults (CTOT-CA) program. This initiative supports multicenter clinical trials and mechanistic studies related to heart, lung, kidney, liver, and intestinal transplants, as well as non-hematopoietic cellular transplantation. By exploring immune mechanisms and innovative therapies, the program aims to enhance the success and efficacy of organ transplantation.

The NIAID aims to enhance infectious disease research by supporting human microphysiologic systems (MPS) development. These in vitro platforms mimic human tissue functions, promoting drug and biological product development while reducing animal use. This initiative aligns with NIH’s commitment to innovative research practices and regulatory acceptance. By focusing on MPS in infectious disease contexts, NIAID seeks to streamline therapeutic advancements and establish robust human tissue models, addressing critical challenges in understanding and treating infections.