Grant application now open for Community Impact Funding Initiative: Interested organizations are encouraged to submit letters of intent by Sept. 7

​The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has opened its Community Impact Funding Initiative. This competitive granting program is designed to fuel innovative ideas and lasting impact in our community by granting funds to nonprofits to meet our community’s most pressing needs and seize its most compelling opportunities.
 
On an annual basis, the Community Foundation entertains funding requests for projects and programs that will benefit the citizens of Bloomington and Monroe County. Grant funding for this year’s Community Impact Funding Initiative is designed to support a broad range of community needs such as arts and culture, social and health services, education, recreation, beautification and preservation, animal welfare, the environment, and community development opportunities. Grants are awarded from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund, select field of interest funds, and from collaborative funding provided by Community Foundation partners, including the Smithville Charitable Foundation. ​

The Foundation seeks to invest in projects that are forward-thinking, community-changing in their implementation, practical in their application, and unique to the community.  Highest priority in the evaluation of grant awards will be given to projects that incorporate and embrace the following:
 

• Innovative or transformative solutions to critical community issues
• Collaboration across organizations and/or sectors to increase impact and effectiveness
• Projects/programs that plan for long-term sustainability (when applicable) 

 
Grant Amounts
Range of grant awards: $10,000 to $50,000 per proposal. 
Total grants: 8-12 awards are expected, depending on grant amounts.
 
Timeline

• September 7, 2022 – Due date for Letters of Intent, IRS Letter, non-discrimination policy 
• September 23, 2022 – Selected applicants receive invitations for full online application 
• October 31, 2022 – Full applications due
• December 5, 2022 – Announcement of awards
• Mid-December 2022 – Grant funding available (pending grant agreement)

 
Full guidelines, instructions, and frequently asked questions for the grant initiative are available online at https://www.cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-grant/community-impact-grants/. For more information on eligibility and application procedures, contact CFBMC Program Director Marcus Whited at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].
 
CFBMC’s 2022-2023 Community Impact Funding Initiative follows two grant funding initiatives in the 2021-2022 fiscal year (July 1-June 30). In June 2022, the Foundation awarded $200,000 to six organizations as part of its Heading Home grant initiative. Read more about this announcement. In December 2021, the Foundation awarded $154,000 to nine organizations as part of its Creating Community grant initiative. Read more about this announcement.