The 2025 Elevation Grant Program is a collaborative funding initiative between the City of Indianapolis and The Indianapolis Foundation. Since its inception in 2013, the program has focused on reducing gun violence and addressing its root causes through community-centered and equitable approaches. The Elevation Grant aims to enhance public safety by investing in organizations that deliver evidence-based or promising practices, particularly those embedded in neighborhoods most affected by violence.
This year’s program supports five distinct focus areas: Thriving Neighborhoods, Empowered Youth and Young Adults, Restoration & Resilience, Justice-Involved Supports, and Intervention. Each applicant may apply for only one focus area. Priority is given to programs that directly serve high-risk populations—specifically Black and Latino males ages 18–35, and youth ages 12–18—and those offering wraparound support like education, mentoring, job placement, mental health care, and housing assistance. Emphasis is also placed on place-based projects that enhance safety within a defined geographic area and those that collaborate with public entities such as law enforcement, courts, and public health agencies.
Eligible applicants must be community-based organizations with a proven record of work in violence prevention. Grassroots and resident-led initiatives are encouraged to apply, especially for the Thriving Neighborhoods focus area, which is limited to organizations with less than $750,000 in annual revenue. Fiscal sponsors are no longer permitted; all applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to manage finances and reporting independently.
The official application window is from September 22 to October 3, 2025, closing at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Applications must be submitted through the Foundation's online grants portal. A preview of the full application, as well as guidance sessions and grant clinics, are available to assist applicants in preparing strong submissions. While participation in informational sessions is not required, it is highly encouraged.
Application materials must include detailed organizational and project descriptions, budget forms, demographic projections, and performance measures. The application also requires documentation such as audited financial statements, IRS Form 990, board-approved budgets, a list of board members, and any signed partnership agreements. Programs will be evaluated not only on narrative strength but also on alignment with the Foundation's mission of equity and inclusion, sustainability planning, and trackable impact metrics. Funding decisions will also account for prior grant compliance, and past grantees with unresolved performance issues may be disqualified from consideration.
Attend informational sessions and grant clinics to understand requirements. Use only the current year’s budget template. Demonstrate alignment with the mission of opportunity, equity, and inclusion. Include SMART goals and clear implementation methods.
