The Community Impact Grant Program is now live and is due February 13 at 3pm.
HCCF Community Impact Grants offer financial assistance for charitable programs and projects serving Hendricks County.
This responsive grant program is designed to be open-ended allowing for nonprofits and charitable groups to apply for funding to help meet the needs of their organization in service to the needs of Hendricks County. Consider what Community Foundation funding could help move your organization or our community to the next level.
Commitment to Community Partners
Community partners are core to our vision of Hendricks County as a place where everyone has the opportunity to have a fulfilling life and the tools they need to build a stronger future together. It is through funding their work that HCCF makes real impact on our community and our residents, which is why it is imperative that we build our programs with them in mind—FOR our community partners. To that end, this is our commitment to our community partners:
We commit to continual learning about:
- our community by:
- completing a tri-annual Community Needs Assessment
- participating in community meetings and task forces
- our community partners by:
- building trust-based relationships
- showing up and listening
- best practices for our work by:
- participating in local and national learning opportunitie
We commit to being trusted partners with our community organizations in our shared missions by:
- creating a transparent website including description of the grant process, timelines, and other important information for potential grant applicants
- soliciting and acting on feedback from applicants and recipients
- offering additional support beyond the grant
We commit to eliminating barriers to our community partners receiving and implementing funding by:
- sharing the burden of the application process
- simplifying and streamlining paperwork from application to reporting
- providing unrestricted grants whenever possible
Eligibility
Who/What is Eligible:
- Applicants do not have to be 501(c)(3) public charities; however, the applicant program/project must be charitable and serve the general population/be open to the public.
- Applicants must be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of the Indiana Secretary of State of Indiana, and any other pertinent governing body.
- Programs/projects must serve Hendricks County.
- Programs/projects must meet a measurable or demonstrable need in Hendricks County.
- Programs/project must not discriminate in terms of program provision, and the applicant organization must not discriminate in staffing or hiring decisions.
- Funds must be used specifically for the purposes stated in the application
Who/What is Ineligible:
- For-profit companies.
- Grants to individuals or families for personal needs
- Bands, sports teams or other groups without a philanthropic project
- Annual appeals or membership contributions
- Fundraising events such as galas, golf tournaments, walk-a-thons and fashion shows
- Projects aimed at promoting a particular religion or construction projects for religious institutions
- Organizations or projects that discriminate based upon race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, citizenship status, genetic information, military service/veteran status, or any other category protected under state or local law
- Political campaigns or projects aimed at promoting a particular political party or candidate
- Post-event, after-the-fact situations or debt retirement
- Endowment or reserve-building
- Classroom/teacher grants and schools/school districts*
*Generally, schools/school districts are not eligible for Community Impact Grants unless the project serves the greater community and not solely the students or teachers of that school/school district.
Disclaimer: These lists are not exclusive, if you are curious about whether or not your organization/project/program is eligible, please contact HCCF Vice President of Programs Eric Hessel at eric@hendrickscountycf.org or 317.268.6240.
Timeline
Applications Live: January 13
Applications Due: February 13
HCCF Review: February 17 - February 27
HCCF Grants Committee Review: February 28 - March 14
One-on-One Meetings with Applicants: March 17 - April 4
HCCF Grants Committee Meeting: April 9
Recommendations Submitted to the HCCF Board: April 10
HCCF Board Approval: April 17
Grant Size
In general, grants of this type fall under $10,000 and average between $2,000 and $5,000. That being said, we encourage applicants to demonstrate the full need of their requests.
HCCF reserves the right to partially fund requests, require a match or be final dollars into the program.
View a SAMPLE PDF version of the application before applying. This is a sample application and may not perfectly reflect the current application.
NOTE: This is a preview only. Only applications submitted through the online grant portal will be accepted.
Past Recipients
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The B&O Trail Association received $5,394.37 to complete the trailhead at 500E just west of Brownsburg. This is currently a rough stone lot with potholes and is unsuitable for persons with disabilities or mobility issues. The newly paved lot will allow citizens of Hendricks County and other visitors to safely access this much-needed amenity.
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Central Indiana K9 Association received $5,200 to support their officer/K9 Training Program. CIK9 provides quarterly training events for the K9s teams of Central Indiana, bringing in world-class trainers to provide education and working knowledge.
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The Central Indiana Land Trust received $2,688.34 to build substantial boardwalks to cover low-lying parts of the trail at Burnett Woods, an 80-acre wooded nature preserve in Avon. This state-dedicated nature preserve is well-loved for its seasonal wildflowers and fall colors. The addition of these boardwalks would both protect fragile plants alongside the trail and keep the preserve accessible (especially during spring when Burnett’s wildflowers are at their peak).
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The Danville-Center Township Public library received $2,125 for technology upgrades including portable audio/visual equipment and increase their presence online as well as a Smart TV for their community room to be used for Zoom meetings and programming.
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Handicapable Camp received $5,000 to support their weekend camp for people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Handicapable Camp provides an outdoor camping experience for these campers and respite care for their caregivers.
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Hope Healthcare Services received $3,500 to subsidize mental health counseling visits for Hope patients, paying $30 per visit. These services are vital to overall health and wellbeing. Having access to affordable mental health services is important for those without insurance who are often experiencing job loss, family dissolution, and/or financial challenges.
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The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County received $8,675 to complete a strategic planning process. In 2019 the Board of Directors made a strategic change to widen their focus and support all Hendricks County parks. Prior to that time the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County focused on supporting County parks only.
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Pat's Pals received $2,740 for specialized training for the Program Director allowing the Program Director to advance their skills in hippotherapy by attending the American Hippotherapy Association Education Course. The grant also provided for the purchase of additional therapeutic tools to be used with clients.
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Pittsboro Parks received $4,390.81 to install two new Pickleball Courts in Scamahorn Park in downtown Pittsboro. Pickleball was created in 1965 and incorporates the sports of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is one of the fastest growing leisure activities in the country and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.
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The Plainfield Youth Assistance Program received $8,000 to assist PYAP youth and families through community involvement. The funds will be used to offer structured mentoring programs in the community, and allow kids in PYAP to take advantage of community activities that otherwise would be a financial burden for their families.
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Rock Steady received $3,000 to support their Pedal for Parkinson's program. Funds will be used for the start-up costs associated with the project such as stationary bikes, fans, and speakers. Participants who engage in the Pedal for Parkinson’s Program will see dramatic improvements in their conditions. Specifically, participants will experience improvements from forced exercise, self-empowerment, and community. Stationary cycling provides a safe way to push towards forced exercise (going at a faster rate of speed than you normally would) without undue risk or complicated machinery.
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Sheltering Wings received $8,800 to support a PR campaign to increase awareness and provide resources to identify Domestic Abuse and get help to those who need it. Sheltering Wings seeks to equip everyone to help anyone—ultimately saving lives. Even as our community is moving through a new phase of the pandemic, the increase in the number of families affected and the increase in the degree of danger highlights the need to promote resources available to help families. Sheltering Wings has answered a higher than usual amount of crisis calls—highlighting this vital need. This campaign will promote resources available to one’s self, the workplace, the congregation, and neighbors.
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Sycamore Services received $2,500 to partner with Claude McNeal Productions on a 10-week program, which will be held virtually, that will allow 15-20 participants in Sycamore Services’ recreational therapy program to learn about different aspects of the performing arts.
If you have any questions, please contact HCCF Vice President of Programs Eric Hessel at eric@hendrickscountycf.org or 317.268.6240.
