Best Grants for Museums in Indiana

What Is Kiwanis?

Kiwanis is a global service organization of volunteers committed to improving the lives of children—one community at a time. Our members take action every day by:

• Sheltering the homeless and supporting families in crisis
• Feeding the hungry and organizing food drives
• Mentoring at-risk youth and empowering young leaders
• Raising funds for pediatric medical research and care
• And much more—all focused on helping children in our communities thrive

All Indiana Kiwanians make up the membership of the Kiwanis Indiana Foundation, Inc. (aka the Indiana District Foundation) The Foundation has 501(c)(3) status.

J.L. McCulloch Award

A personal gift of $1,000 to the Kiwanis Indiana Foundation, Inc., by an individual entitles him or her to the J.L. McCulloch Award. The recipient of this award is recognized with a framed medallion, a ribboned medallion, and either a lapel pin or a pendant.

This is the Indiana District’s most prestigious award and is named for our first Kiwanis Indiana District Governor. The receiving of this award by its honored recipients has left a legacy to the service. This continues the good works begun by the man for whom it is named.

The Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement Pilot Projects RFA invites proposals focused on the impact of demographics, social determinants of health, and behaviors on cancer risk and treatment. Special attention is given to high-incidence cancers in Indiana, aiming to reduce cancer's burden. Funding is available for one year with a maximum budget of $50,000, fostering innovative research to enhance community health and cancer survivorship.

The Diminished Tree Species Grant Program focuses on restoring native tree species crucial for biodiversity and forest health. By funding scientific research, seed orchard development, and land preservation, the program aims to combat climate change through effective tree restoration projects. The Oak Hill Fund, a private entity, encourages project-specific applications, prioritizing organizations that meet eligibility criteria under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS. This initiative is vital for sustaining healthy ecosystems and mitigating environmental impacts.

About US

Vision Statement

To be the partner and trusted resource for philanthropy in our community, providing stewardship of charitable intent so the impact of generosity will last for generations.

Mission Statement

• To build enduring charitable resources used to positively impact our community by:
• Serving as a partner and resource for donors, their advisors, and area nonprofits.
• Making it simple for donors to fulfill their individual goals in giving back.
• Providing stewardship of donor gifts and charitable intent for generations to come.
• Fulfilling a leadership role on important community issues.

Through the generosity of our donors, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana awards scholarships each year to help students across our region pursue their educational goals.

Our scholarship program includes dozens of funds established by individuals and families who believe in the power of education. These funds support students from diverse backgrounds as they work toward higher education and brighter futures. As we grow this program, we remain committed to expanding renewable, impactful scholarship opportunities – fostering success, enriching lives, and strengthening our community through learning.

Raymond Rhodes Memorial Scholarship for Printing Technology & Graphic Arts

This fund hopes to award a non-renewable scholarship of up to $2,000 for a student who will seek a full-time, post-secondary education pursuing a career in the graphic arts or printing technology.

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.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $80.9 billion and created 1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging.

Midwest Asset Management University Program

Operating, maintaining, and preserving affordable housing is complex and requires a specialized set of skills and a deep organizational commitment to asset management. Today, affordable housing providers face a variety of economic, operational, and compliance challenges, including rising operating costs, rental arrears, staffing shortages, and an aging portfolio.

Enterprise is launching its first Asset Management University (AMU) Program in the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and/or Minnesota) in March 2026 to support mission-aligned, affordable housing providers in meeting these challenges in their efforts to provide housing stability to residents and preserve the long-term affordability of properties.

The Midwest AMU is a comprehensive, five-month training program that seeks to strengthen the asset and property management capabilities of participating housing providers, improving organizations’ capacity to oversee the financial, physical, and operational health of their housing portfolios.

Midwest Asset Management University Cohort 

Enterprise is excited to offer this application for participation in the Asset Management University (AMU) Cohort (the “Cohort”). Up to fifteen (15) eligible organizations will be selected for this Cohort and will receive access to online training offered by the Consortium of Housing and Asset Management (CHAM), peer learning opportunities, and post-training technical 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The Laura Hare Charitable Trust is dedicated to enhancing Indiana's natural environment through the preservation of ecologically significant lands and promoting environmental education. Grants are available for not-for-profit organizations focused on land acquisition, environmental restoration, education, and stewardship. The Trust aims to maintain the integrity of natural habitats while supporting initiatives that foster public awareness and engagement in environmental conservation. Funding is targeted towards projects that align with these core values.

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.

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).

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.

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 Statewide Capital Projects Initiative Grant provides essential funding to nonprofit organizations in Indiana, aiming to enhance health and human services. With a total of $80 million available in matching capital grants, the initiative supports projects that improve community facilities. It offers two funding tiers, catering to varying project complexities and encourages partnerships for successful implementation. All applicants must demonstrate a commitment to delivering vital services, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to benefit local communities.

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.

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.

CDBG Construction Grants

Funding for all Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The State of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities to support a range of projects, including infrastructure enhancement, downtown revitalization, improvements to public facilities, and economic development initiatives.

The state CDBG program offers competitive grants to units of local government to support rural areas. Within the CDBG program, there are five types of Construction Grants designed to enhance community resilience and livability:

Two rounds of Construction Grants are offered each year, with specific funding guidelines detailed in each round’s application Instructions document. 

Facilities Program

Community facilities enhance the lives of residents in numerous ways. In addition to community facilities, historic preservation projects are eligible for the Facilities Program grant. The goals of the Facilities Program are to support rehabilitation and restoration of historic buildings and public facilities. A local match of 10% of the total project cost will be required for consideration of funding.

The CDBG Construction Grants - Stormwater Improvements Program supports rural communities in Indiana by providing funding for stormwater management improvements. This program aims to mitigate flooding and enhance community resilience through necessary infrastructure upgrades. With a focus on sustainable practices, the grants encourage the use of green infrastructure to protect waterways. A 10% match of total project costs is required. Two application cycles are held annually, streamlining access to essential resources for community development.

The PreservINg Main Street Grant, initiated by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, aims to enhance local economies through the preservation of historic properties in Indiana. This program supports eligible communities with funding up to $2 million for downtown revitalization projects, alongside opportunities for capacity building in partnership with Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks. It offers a sustainable approach to historic preservation while fostering community engagement and economic development.

The Indiana Department of Health is inviting local health departments to apply for the Naloxone Grant to distribute opioid overdose reversal kits, including naloxone nasal spray. This initiative aims to increase the availability of life-saving medication in communities, especially in collaboration with organizations such as county jails. Education on the use of naloxone and legal protections for responders is also a key component of the program, fostering a safer environment for overdose interventions.

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.

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.

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 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.