Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Indiana

The Services * Training * Officers * Prosecutors* (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program (STOP Formula Grant Program) supports local communities, including Indian tribal governments and Alaska Native villages, in their efforts to develop and strengthen effective responses to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault (including adult survivors of child sexual abuse), and stalking. This also includes victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are also victims of trafficking and female genital mutilation or cutting, or forced marriage.

This program is authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and is administered through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and authorized by 34 U.S.C § 10441 et seq.

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.

The Leah M. Sundheimer Foundation Grant, established in memory of Ms. Sundheimer, supports the education, health, and rehabilitation of handicapped individuals, especially children, in Wabash County, Indiana. With an average grant size of $10,000 to $15,000 and funding two to four grants annually, the foundation plays a crucial role in enhancing community welfare through targeted programs. This initiative ensures that the legacy of generosity continues to benefit local citizens for years to come.

The E.B. Henderson Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors minority members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy for ethnic minorities within health and physical education. Established in 1885, SHAPE America serves over 200,000 professionals, promoting high-quality education standards. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to increasing the participation of underserved populations in the field. Limited to two awards annually, it highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in health education.

The Historic Preservation Fund Grant Program in Indiana supports projects aimed at preserving architectural and historical sites. Administered by the DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology, it offers matching grants ranging from $5,000 to $75,000 for eligible applicants. Projects must focus on sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This program not only funds rehabilitation but also promotes public education initiatives related to preservation efforts, significantly contributing to cultural resource management.

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 Delta Dental Foundation offers Community Mini-Grants of up to $10,000 for organizations in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana that promote oral health initiatives. This program supports local nonprofits engaged in activities that enhance access to care, advocacy, education, and workforce development. Grants are evaluated based on their alignment with strategic aims and the potential impact on community health. Certain exclusions apply, including projects for building construction or political activities.

The Dogs for Joy Grant, funded by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, supports the integration of trained facility dogs in pediatric hospitals. These dogs provide emotional support, help children cope with medical procedures, and enhance overall well-being. The program aims to increase the presence of in-residence dogs, as research highlights their positive impact on reducing anxiety and improving patient outcomes. Grants typically cover multi-year funding, promoting innovative animal-assisted therapy approaches in healthcare settings.

The Guy David Gundlach Memorial Scholarship offers a $20,000 tuition award over four years for Elkhart County residents graduating from local accredited high schools. This scholarship supports students planning to enroll in four-year degree programs at Indiana colleges or universities, particularly those from households where parents haven't completed a four-year degree. It honors David Gundlach's commitment to education as a path to a meaningful life.

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.

The FDC Foundation, established in 2008, is a private non-profit dedicated to providing grants to 501(c)(3) public charities across three main areas: Health & Nutrition, Education, and Housing. The foundation supports initiatives that improve nutrition, assist diabetic individuals, enhance early childhood development, and promote housing opportunities for those in need. However, it does not fund for-profit entities or international organizations, nor does it provide grants for specific excluded purposes.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and the Community Foundation of Noble County, is available to Indiana residents graduating high school by 2026. Recipients must pursue a full-time bachelor's degree at an accredited Indiana institution and meet local foundation criteria. This scholarship reflects the commitment of generous donors to support Noble County students in achieving their educational aspirations, with notifications sent in December.

The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant supports K-12 public schools facing budget cuts that threaten their music and arts programs. Eligible applicants, who must be active employees of public K-12 schools and members of specified educator associations, can request grants of $250 for music or arts needs. This initiative aims to enhance creative education across the states, excluding AK, HI, MA, MI, NY, and WI. Applications received by July 15 will be notified by November 30.

The CHS Foundation's Cooperative Education Grant aims to support educational projects that enhance understanding of the agricultural cooperative business model. With a focus on middle school to college-age students, the program encourages innovative approaches, measurable outcomes, and engagement strategies. It prioritizes initiatives with a national or state-level reach within the CHS trade area, fostering success and growth in cooperative education. Funding will be allocated to programs that align with these goals, ensuring a robust educational framework for future leaders in agriculture.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship offers a transformative opportunity for three graduating seniors from Elkhart County each year. Funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, this scholarship provides full tuition for four years at any accredited Indiana college or university. Eligible students must be residents of Elkhart County, graduates of local high schools, and plan to pursue a four-year degree. This initiative supports students from families without a four-year college background.

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.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Adult Literacy Grants to support organizations providing essential literacy services to adults. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for programs in Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, and English language acquisition. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and libraries located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store. The foundation aims to enhance educational opportunities and foster personal growth through literacy.

The Dekko Community Fund, established in 1992 by the Dekko Foundation, aims to foster economic freedom through education for children and young people in Noble County. The fund supports initiatives that promote self-sufficiency and development, enabling youth to connect their skills to career opportunities. By investing in the healthy growth of these individuals, the fund serves as a catalyst for positive change, helping them achieve economic freedom and contribute to their communities.

CFMJC: Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) administers the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide. ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 29 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state. The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment Inc. initiative to:

• Raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana
• Increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play
• Encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve the quality of life statewide. 

Over 5,400 full-tuition scholarships have been awarded, and over $505 million in scholarship tuition has been provided since the program’s inception in 1997-98.

The Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County is tasked to select one student from Jefferson County. Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. then awards the scholarship each year on behalf of the Lilly Endowment. 

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides a 4-year, full-tuition scholarship to one selected graduating senior in Jefferson County, Indiana. The scholarship must be used to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university. Recipients are also granted a $900 yearly stipend for books and required equipment.

Daviess County Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Daviess County, Indiana today and for generations to come.

The Community Foundation can help you...

• Make a difference where it matters
• Invest in the future of the community you love
• Create greater good together

David K. Lynch Memorial Scholarship

Annual scholarship established by Cathleen M. (Lynch) Kendall in memory of her husband, David K. Lynch.

Award Amount

• $730

The Team Indiana Grant Program supports tourism and sports-related organizations hosting events in Indiana. Grants of up to $20,000 are available to assist communities in attracting high-quality sports events, aiming to boost local economies through participant spending. Applications are accepted year-round, but must be submitted at least two months before the event. The program is funded by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation and administered by Indiana Sports Corp, with awards determined by a statewide committee.

Whitley County Korean War Veterans Memorial Scholarship

The Whitley County Korean War Veterans Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Whitley County individuals who served their country in the Korean War. The scholarship is also a means for memorializing their contributions to the freedoms taken for granted each day. 

The Whitley County Korean War Veterans Memorial Scholarship is presented to a student who has demonstrated understanding of the contributions made by these men and women in service to our country. The recipient has to be a Whitley County senior with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, in the top 75% of their class.

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.

The Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP), administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides crucial funding to tribal governments and intertribal consortia for developing environmental protection programs. Since 1992, GAP has focused on remediation of pollutants and, more recently, supports climate adaptation initiatives. The program emphasizes tribal sovereignty while aiding in capacity building, policymaking, and establishing joint EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans to effectively address environmental challenges faced by tribal communities.

The Sue Johnson Nursing Scholarship, established by Sue Johnson, former Director of Nursing Clinical Excellence & Research at Parkview Health, supports eligible Parkview co-workers pursuing a Bachelor's degree in nursing. The scholarship reflects Parkview Health Foundation's commitment to enhancing healthcare in the region by fostering educational opportunities for its staff. Since 1878, the foundation has played a crucial role in delivering quality healthcare and improving patient experiences in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio.

Community Foundation Serving Howard, Carroll & Clinton Counties: Lilly Endowment Scholarship

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 program will provide scholarships for otherwise unreimbursed 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 nonprofit college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Requirements

To pursue four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at an Indiana college. Keep the Community Foundation apprised of their academic status during college and post-graduation status (education and/or employment) for at least 10 years after graduation.

The NCR-SARE Research and Education Grant Program supports innovative agricultural projects that are environmentally sound and socially responsible. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 are available for projects lasting up to 36 months, promoting collaboration among researchers, educators, and producers. This program emphasizes outreach, farmer involvement, and research on topics such as sustainable pest management, local food systems, and crop diversification, addressing the economic and environmental aspects of agriculture.