Best Financial Assistance Grants in Indiana

The Wold Foundation Grant, established in 1985, aims to support charitable, scientific, literary, and educational projects primarily benefiting Wyoming citizens and youth. It prioritizes initiatives in education, human services, cultural activities, healthcare, and scientific endeavors that promote conservation and outdoor recreation. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) classified and operate in the U.S. The foundation does not fund individuals or projects that discriminate based on sex, age, or religion.

The Raftelis Leadership Scholarship, offered by the American Water Works Association, supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a consulting career in water utilities. With a value of $5,000, this scholarship aims to foster relationships with diverse, promising students who demonstrate leadership and strong academic performance. Applicants from various academic backgrounds, including business and finance, are encouraged to apply, emphasizing initiative and a desire to contribute positively to the community.

The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation provides Operations Grants to support arts and humanities organizations in Central Indiana. These grants, ranging from $1,000 to $75,000, aim to help smaller organizations fulfill their core missions. First-time applicants must submit a Letter of Intent, while previous recipients are exempt. Successful proposals demonstrate effective mission execution, leadership, and measurable outcomes to complement other funding sources.

The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation provides grants to support charitable organizations dedicated to promoting and preserving the Arts and Humanities, particularly in Central Indiana. Grants can range from $1,000 to $1,000,000 for specific projects such as renovations or unique program offerings. Eligible applicants must be recognized as public charities under IRC Section 501(c)(3), while individual applications and endowments are not accepted. This foundation continues the legacy of Mr. Clowes by supporting similar initiatives.

The Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation offers grants to support charitable, educational, and community-focused initiatives, primarily in Florida and Georgia. Eligible applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations. The foundation prioritizes projects that address children's welfare, education, multicultural understanding, substance abuse prevention, and homelessness. Grants typically do not exceed $15,000, and proposals must be endorsed by a Foundation Director. Interested parties should submit a Letter of Inquiry for consideration.

The Dale Jr. Foundation, founded by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., has raised over $8 million since 2007 to support various charities focusing on youth and underprivileged communities. The foundation emphasizes empowerment, education, wellness, hunger relief, and hope, aiming to provide resources that enhance confidence and opportunities for children facing hardships. Through fundraising efforts and partnerships with organizations like Make-A-Wish, the foundation strives to positively impact lives and foster a sense of normalcy among children in need.

The IAC Arts Organization Support Grant provides vital annual operating support to eligible arts organizations in Indiana, helping them fulfill their artistic and administrative missions. By aligning with IAC funding priorities, these grants enable organizations to deliver quality arts and educational activities while promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. The grant amount is determined based on several factors, ensuring support reaches those with the greatest need and least access to other funding.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) offers grants for schools to implement the PLTW Computer Science program from 2025 to 2028. Schools must provide at least one PLTW course in the first year and two courses in the second year. The total grant is $14,000, covering participation fees and training costs. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the U.S., with special encouragement for those serving low-income or minority-majority populations.

The EGLS Doc Brown Young Investigator Award, presented by the American Physical Society, recognizes exceptional young faculty in physics. Awardees receive a cash prize and commendation at the annual spring meeting. Eligible nominees include PhD lecturers and tenure-track faculty who are APS members in the EGLS region and within six years of their appointment. Nomination requires endorsement from a tenured faculty member and attendance at the meeting where the award is presented.

The EGLS Howard Maxwell Award recognizes outstanding service to the Eastern Great Lakes Section of the American Physical Society (APS). Established in 1938, the section fosters collaboration among physicists and scientists from various fields through biannual symposia. Named after Howard Maxwell, this award honors dedicated contributions to the APS community, encouraging participation from students and educators in the greater Ohio region.

The Mind Trust

The Mind Trust is a nonprofit that invests in public education to transform lives and increase academic achievement in Indianapolis, across Indiana, and beyond. This includes managing student-centered programming, growing new high-quality public charter schools, supporting existing schools and educators, and engaging the community in every region we serve.

Indiana Charter School Fellowship

The Indiana Charter School Fellowship is a competitive, statewide opportunity for experienced educators and school leaders who are ready to grow high-quality public charter schools across Indiana. The fellowship supports the growth of new school models, replication of existing models, or expansion of existing schools.

Fellows receive tailored support to design a school that meets real community needs, delivers strong academic results, and has sustainable operational and financial systems. Through one-on-one coaching, visits to high-performing schools across the country, access to expert partners, and protected time to plan, Indiana Charter School Fellows leave the program with a clear path to launching or growing a great school.

Whether you’re an established leader with a proven track record or someone with a bold new idea for what school could be, the fellowship gives you the space, structure, and support to bring that vision to life. As Indiana’s charter sector continues to grow, we’re looking for leaders who are ready to build the next generation of public schools—schools that are excellent, student-focused, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.

The W.R. & Floy A. Sauey Family Foundation, established in 1998, aims to enhance community welfare through philanthropy. It prioritizes local charities that support child and family issues, particularly in areas where Nordic Group Member Companies operate. The foundation seeks to create lasting impacts by funding initiatives that directly benefit the families associated with these companies, fostering a stronger quality of life in the communities served.

The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) is a program of the State of Indiana, established by Indiana Code 6-3.1-9 and administered by IHCDA through approved local non-profit organizations. The purpose of the program is to provide a means for these organizations to fund certain neighborhood-based programs and projects that improve distressed neighborhoods and the lives of the families that live there by encouraging individuals and businesses to make donations in exchange for Indiana State tax credits.

Each year, IHCDA awards up to a total of $2.5 million in Indiana tax credits to qualifying organizations. Each prospective participant organization submits a project application to IHCDA in the spring and, if approved, is awarded an allocation of tax credits. The organization then distributes these tax credits as an incentive to individuals or businesses who donate to the organization.

All donor contributions raised in exchange for NAP credits go toward the program or project described in the organization’s application. Eligible projects include affordable housing, counseling, child-care, educational assistance, emergency assistance, job training, medical care, recreational facilities, downtown rehabilitation, and neighborhood commercial revitalization. All projects must benefit economically disadvantaged areas and/or persons.

Nature's Path's Gardens for Good program empowers communities by funding organic gardens that address food insecurity. Since 2010, it has donated $930,000 CAD to support 120 gardens. In 2023, grants of $6,500 each will be awarded to 20 gardens across the U.S. and Canada. Eligible applicants must be registered non-profits with urban organic agriculture projects that serve low-income communities, promoting sustainable practices and inclusivity.

The American Honda Foundation provides programmatic support to nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S., empowering impactful initiatives aligned with community needs. Funding opportunities are available through Honda corporate and Honda USA Foundation, focusing on projects that enhance education and community welfare. Eligible organizations must have nonprofit status or be recognized educational institutions. The application process opens each fall, with funding decisions announced the following spring, ensuring alignment with Honda's commitment to social responsibility.

Key Bank Philanthropic Support - Community Sponsorships aims to enhance community welfare by providing financial backing to nonprofit organizations. With grants ranging from $500 to $5,000, these sponsorships focus on fundraising events and operational support for initiatives that foster economic inclusion and community growth. Applications are accepted from January to October, with decisions typically made within 90 days, ensuring timely support for impactful local projects.

KeyBank's Community Grants support tax-exempt organizations that align with the Foundation's funding priorities, focusing on improving community well-being. With grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, eligible organizations must have an operating budget of at least $100,000 and a minimum of three years in operation. The application process is invitation-only, requiring interested organizations to submit an Expression of Interest for review, typically receiving feedback within 90 days.

Ignite Your Future Scholarships

The Don Wood Foundation invited community foundations in northeast Indiana to present the Ignite Your Future scholarships to students in the communities they serve.

The Ignite Your Future Program creates opportunities for high school seniors living in Noble County, Ind. who seek to advance their education in fields related to engineering, industrial technology, and machine tool technology. Examples of fields that Ignite Your Future Program supports include those considered part of Industry 4.0, which is the digital transformation of manufacturing/production, related industries, and value creation processes.

Engineering fields include:

• automation, electrical, computer, industrial, materials, controls, mechanical, design.

$20K Bachelor’s Degree:

• Up to $2,500 per recipient per semester
• Five scholarships will be awarded.

Colleges:

• Any accredited public and private nonprofit universities in Indiana, Ohio, or Michigan

Cascades Donations and Sponsorships focuses on building sustainable partnerships in education, entrepreneurship, and amateur sports. They support community organizations, promote healthy lifestyles, and recognize student engagement through grants. Cascades prioritizes projects in its operational regions and encourages initiatives that address climate change and foster inclusivity. Their funding approach is rooted in creating lasting positive impacts and supporting the next generation of leaders while adhering to their values and philosophy.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools to implement the PLTW Engineering program for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the US. Grant recipients will receive funding to cover participation fees and training costs. Total funding amounts to $16,000, distributed over three years. Schools are encouraged to create pathways for students in engineering through this initiative.

The Voelcker Fund Grant supports 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations conducting medical research, focusing on diseases like cancer and heart disease. It provides restricted grants, emphasizing research that seeks cures in the Greater Bexar County area, particularly for conditions affecting the retina. The fund prioritizes organizations in San Antonio and offers various funding structures, including seed and matching grants, while ensuring compliance with non-discrimination policies.

What is Emergency Assistance Fund

Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals:

• In times of unexpected critical need.
• To assist towards basic living expenses, such as health care, housing and utilities to prevent eviction or shut-offs.

Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund

The Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund offers emergency financial assistance to current or former employees of Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

The Native Arts & Cultures Foundation's LIFT program offers critical support to early career Native artists through one-year grants of $10,000. This initiative aims to nurture emerging voices and foster community engagement while promoting environmental sustainability. Selected artists will benefit from professional development training and culturally appropriate evaluations to enhance their artistic practices. By providing vital resources, LIFT empowers artists to advance their careers and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention program aims to reduce suicide rates among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. By enhancing care coordination and culturally relevant behavioral health services, it targets at-risk youth with early intervention strategies. This initiative emphasizes community engagement and collaboration among families, youth, and partners, fostering a comprehensive approach to prevention and support for those affected by suicide.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant supports organizations that enhance safety and community well-being, focusing on underrepresented populations. With over $100 million in donations, the foundation prioritizes technology and engineering education, first responder programming, and blended initiatives. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations or school districts in the U.S. The foundation seeks partnerships that demonstrate strong financial health and data-driven evaluation methods, aiming to create safer cities and thriving communities.

The Career Development Bridge Funding Award: K Supplement, offered by the Rheumatology Research Foundation, supports junior investigators transitioning to independent research. Awarded up to $50,000 annually for a maximum of two years, it supplements NIH K series or VA CDA awards. Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree and be in the second, third, or fourth year of their existing award. This funding is crucial for developing new projects that contribute to the field of rheumatology.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Harold Balazs Creating Wonder Scholarship

The Creating Wonder Scholarship is for graduating high school seniors in Spokane County who are planning to attend a post-high school program at full-time status. Applicants must pursue one of the following fields: Art, Art Education, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, Advertising, Marketing, Photography, Cinematography, Publishing or Graphic Arts. Samples of artwork are required for the scholarship program.

This is not intended for performing art students. Talent, discipline, commitment, passion, experience and ability to express through art are primary factors for consideration. Financial need and academic achievement are also considered. Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply.