Best Grants for Museums in Indiana

About MCCF

Mission & Priorities

Our goal at Madison County Community Foundation is to invest in lasting positive change to elevate and strengthen Madison County. We envision Madison County as a community where every person has the opportunity to thrive. 

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Madison County is administered by the Madison County Community Foundation.

Madison County's Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is awarded to two students, who will be provided eight semesters of full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

In our selection process, applications will be reviewed by a committee of community members. Reviews are completed anonymously without disclosure of student or parent identity. Each Lilly finalist who is not selected as a recipient will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Madison County Community Foundation.

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are:

to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana;

to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and

to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

The MFA Oil Foundation Grant offers cash support to nonprofit organizations focused on enhancing communities where MFA Oil operates. With a mission to bolster rural areas, the foundation prioritizes initiatives that develop youth leadership, agricultural education, and community problem-solving. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt nonprofits and accredited educational institutions. However, grants are not available for operating expenses, political lobbying, or individual support. This initiative seeks to empower organizations that create sustainable change in their communities.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Engineering - New Program In Partnership With Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group has partnered with PLTW to support education in its local communities where Ardagh employees live and work. This partnership recognizes the critical role education, and access to education, plays in ensuring equal opportunities and in building successful, vibrant communities. It is expected that over the next 10 years, Ardagh sponsored education programs will benefit more than 500,000 PreK-12 students as well as delivering best-in-class teacher training to more than 5,000 teachers across 2,000 schools in Ardagh's U.S. communities.

Ardagh is a global supplier of sustainable packaging solutions with 16,000+ employees worldwide, and proud local employer.

Program Requirements

The purpose of this grant is to assist the grantee's implementation of the PLTW Engineering program. Grantee must offer the PLTW Engineering program for three academic years. Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete three years of grant reporting.

The Cancer Center Cancer Prevention & Control (CPC) Pilot Award supports innovative research focusing on risk reduction and symptom science for cancer prevention. Eligible applicants are IUSCCC members and can request up to $50,000 for a one-year project. This funding encourages collaboration and is aimed at distinct projects separate from existing funded research, enhancing the potential for impactful findings in cancer control.

The Traffic Safety Improvement Program Grant offers funding to enhance traffic safety projects aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries. Eligible applicants include state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Key focus areas include preventing crashes from impaired driving, improving pedestrian safety, and enhancing law enforcement capabilities. This reimbursement grant specifically supports initiatives addressing excessive speeds, unsafe driving behaviors, and improving crash investigations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to traffic safety.

MCCF | About

Helping You Achieve Your Charitable Goals for Montgomery County, Indiana

The Montgomery County Community Foundation was founded in 1991 to support its residents by facilitating proactive and positive changes in the community. Through donor gifts, our foundation fulfills the needs of nonprofits working to improve the quality of life in our county. 

We are here as a reliable source of information and connections to help you accomplish your charitable goals – and help you make a lasting impact.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Description:

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program will provide one scholarship for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges.

The Dr. Ralph and Marian Falk Medical Research Trust – Falk Catalyst Awards support high-risk, high-reward biomedical research with up to $350,000 in funding over one to two years. These awards aim to address critical scientific challenges and enable the translation of innovative research into clinical practices. Projects focus on identifying biological markers, therapeutic targets, and developing interventions to disrupt disease processes, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for patients.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The Joyce Foundation's Democracy Grants aim to enhance participation and representation in the electoral process across the Great Lakes region. With a focus on combating voter suppression, gerrymandering, and disinformation, the Foundation supports policy changes that protect voting rights and ensure fair representation. Through public engagement and litigation, it seeks to empower communities of color and young voters, fostering a more equitable democracy for all residents.

The Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform Grant by The Joyce Foundation aims to create safer communities in the Great Lakes region. It focuses on reducing gun violence, addressing racial disparities in the justice system, and promoting violence intervention strategies. The foundation invites innovative proposals that support these goals, emphasizing research, policy advocacy, and community engagement to effectively address the challenges of gun violence and promote racial equity.

The IU Health Values Fund Grant Pilot & Feasibility Program supports early-career researchers in advancing their careers and securing funding. It emphasizes pilot clinical trials that align with IU Health's core values: purpose, excellence, compassion, and teamwork. This program is designed to benefit patients in the IU Health system by fostering innovative research that meets medical and scientific standards, ultimately contributing to the improvement of healthcare outcomes.

The IU Health Values Fund Grant Pilot & Feasibility Program: Education aims to advance the development of healthcare professionals through innovative educational models. By focusing on critical areas such as healthcare disparities, rural health, and behavioral health, this initiative supports the continuous training of providers. The Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) leads this effort to ensure that the workforce is equipped to meet evolving healthcare needs and improve patient outcomes.

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

Ripley County Community Foundation

The Ripley County Community Foundation was established in 1997 with $19,000 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. 

Mission: We serve Ripley County by growing and sustaining a culture of giving and investing resources to meet community needs.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program will provide one scholarship for otherwise reimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900.00 per year for required books and equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis. The undergraduate study will lead to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Phase II: Timed Essay

Phase II of the selection process consists of a timed essay portion, which will be administered directly at your high school.

CSA Midwest Region: Beth Dunlap Award

 The Midwestern Region presents The Beth Dunlap Award at the Regional Symposium. The award will be offered to a person who has made contributions worthy of the highest commendation and the achievements will have continued importance. Beth Dunlap was one of the founding members of the Midwestern Region. A fashion illustrator and artist, she passed away in 2009.

About Legacy Foundation

Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We connect people, knowledge, and funding to build an equitable, accessible, and inclusive Lake County, now and for generations to come.

Legacy Foundation is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, and businesses connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. With a growing portfolio of over 300 funds and approximately $80 million in assets, Legacy Foundation is a trusted source for philanthropic giving in the region.

For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and impactful philanthropic support to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Mission Statement

Transforming Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve.

Vision Statement

Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Legacy Foundation: Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects scholars with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).

2026 Award Details

• Six (6) students from Lake County, Indiana will receive the scholarship.
• Covers four (4) years of full tuition to ANY accredited 4-year private or public college in Indiana.
• The students will also receive a $900 per year stipend for books.

The Exhibitions Abroad Support Grant Program, initiated by the Japan Foundation in New York, offers financial aid to U.S. museums and art institutions organizing exhibitions that showcase Japanese art and culture internationally. This program supports a range of events, including biennials and triennials featuring Japanese artists. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations from designated states, with a focus on promoting cultural exchange and understanding through art.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

The Water and Environment Grant Program by the American Water Charitable Foundation supports innovative community projects aimed at improving watersheds, conserving water, and enhancing access to recreation in underserved areas. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions located within American Water's service areas. Projects must be completed within 12 months, and applicants should consider budget feasibility when requesting funds. Certain organizations and projects, such as those not classified as 501(c)(3), are ineligible.

The EDA Chicago FY 2016–FY 2019 Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program aims to enhance regional economic development through comprehensive planning and technical assistance. By supporting the development and implementation of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), EDA empowers designated organizations, including Indian Tribes, to create jobs and foster economic resilience in distressed areas. This initiative focuses on strategic investments to facilitate effective economic development practices, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity across regions.

Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good

Founded by the College of Arts & Letters in 1984 as the Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts and renamed in 2025, the Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good helps advance research in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. To accomplish this goal, the institute provides faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students in the College with three main types of support.

• Internal funding
• Proposal development
• Conference support

Research Innovation Collaboratives

Purpose

The Franco Institute invites proposals for Research Innovation Collaboratives to begin work during the 2026-2027 academic year.

These collaboratives encourage research and creative practice outside of departmental and institutional confines so that participants can radically reimagine the way their work can inform, influence, and inspire innovative scholarship. Each collaborative will consist of a group of scholars pursuing a core question (or small set of closely related questions). Collaboratives will foster research, art, teaching, and outreach, deepening connections across disciplines, and bringing the insights of the liberal arts to public life.

Research Innovation Collaboratives will take four forms:

• Humanities Collaboratives, devoted to “big questions” in the humanities approached from transdisciplinary perspectives
• Arts Collaboratives, co-sponsored by the ND Arts Initiative and devoted to collaborative research and creative practice in the arts
• Global Catholic Research Collaboratives, co-sponsored by the ND Global Catholic Research Initiative and devoted to interdisciplinary, collaborative research on global Catholicism
• Sustainability Collaboratives, co-sponsored by the ND Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative and devoted to interdisciplinary, collaborative research at the nexus of sustainability and the humanities.

Applicants will have the opportunity to select all of the above categories for which they would like to be considered.

All projects must follow all relevant college and university policies and procedures.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants Scholarship Fund

The Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants created this scholarship fund to award to a qualified individual majoring in an agricultural field.

About the Foundation

Our Mission

The mission of the Greene County Foundation is to inspire individuals to engage in strengthening Greene County now and for generations to come.

As a public charity, we accomplish our mission by:

• Building permanent charitable funds
• Connecting donors to organizations, programs and charitable causes of interest
• Making effective grants
• Providing leadership on community issues

Scholarships for Current College Students & Non-Traditional Students

Helen Hunter Scholarship

Scholarships are given in the following categories:

• Current college student enrolled as a junior or senior for the coming fall semester.
• Graduate student enrolled for the coming fall semester.
• Returning or non-traditional student – an adult student at least 25 years old who has been out of the college system for 2 years or more, or an older student who has been out of high school for 5 years or more and is just now starting college.

About the Foundation

Our Mission

The mission of the Greene County Foundation is to inspire individuals to engage in strengthening Greene County now and for generations to come.

As a public charity, we accomplish our mission by:

• Building permanent charitable funds
• Connecting donors to organizations, programs and charitable causes of interest
• Making effective grants
• Providing leadership on community issues

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) awards full-tuition scholarships to students from each county in Indiana.

Benefits:

• One scholarship will be awarded
• Pays full tuition and required fees for four years; no re-application process is required
• $900 book stipend each year
• Does not pay room, board, or travel expenses

National Geographic Society: Request for Proposals

Award Overview

The National Geographic Society (NGS) is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for academic researchers and graduate students investigating topics related to geography education in select states and locations. Awards of up to $10,000 (for researchers) and $5,000 (for graduate students) are available to support research projects.

At NGS we spark curiosity, empower exploration, and inspire change. We fund inspiring changemakers around the world who use the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. 

We welcome submissions from researchers across disciplines but successful proposals must include research related to educational approaches or processes including but not limited to specific learning activities, learning outcomes, or educational tools that advance knowledge. Research that illuminates barriers and/or advances access for those farthest from opportunity is encouraged. 

Research proposals should generate new knowledge, and can either be new or scaled up versions of existing successful projects (e.g. evaluating a different group of learners or geographic area). 

Indiana Department of Health

The Indiana State Department of Health became the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) in July 2021 after the Governor signed legislation updating the agency's statute. That same year the Department was also awarded accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board, joining the ranks of 36 other states and territories. 

Mission: To promote, protect, and improve the health and safety of all Hoosiers.

Moms Helpline Prenatal Care Referral Network Grant

The Indiana Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Division, is accepting applications for Moms Helpline Prenatal Care Referral Network grants. The purpose of this opportunity is to establish a network of prenatal care partners that will allow Moms Helpline to seamlessly connect pregnant women with early prenatal care. 

Special consideration will be given to applications that propose serving women in a county where the rate of “no early prenatal care” is higher than the statewide average, and in particular where the rate of “no early prenatal care” is higher than 30% (see the Birth Outcomes and Infant Mortality Dashboard to view the rate for each Indiana county).

The Wetland Mitigation Banking Program for FY 2026 offers $3 million in grants to support the development of mitigation banks for agricultural producers with wetlands. Proposals are prioritized based on the number of wetlands and conservation compliance requests in states such as Georgia, Illinois, and Minnesota. This competitive program is designed to enhance conservation efforts while providing financial opportunities for eligible entities.