CIRCLe Fund Grant

The CIRCLe Fund (Chicks Impacting Rush County Life) is a women-led giving circle dedicated to enhancing life in Rush County, Indiana, through strategic philanthropic investments. Since its founding in 2013 by six friends who were passionate about their local community, the fund has awarded more than $165,000 to a variety of nonprofit organizations that serve Rush County residents. The CIRCLe Fund operates under the administrative umbrella of the Rush County Community Foundation, leveraging local donor engagement to fund community-driven initiatives. For the 2026 funding cycle, the CIRCLe Fund is offering a grant ranging between $10,000 and $13,500. The grant opportunity is intended to support innovative programs or projects that are responsive to clearly identified community needs. Particular emphasis is placed on proposals that reflect strong collaboration and partnership among organizations. In keeping with the fund’s mission and membership, the review committee may give preference to projects that directly benefit women and/or children within the county. This funding opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Rush County. Applicants are required to submit their proposals via the Rush County Community Foundation’s online grant portal. Technical support and guidance during the application process are available through the Foundation. For general grant inquiries, applicants may contact Cindy Taff at (765) 932-2872. For assistance with the application platform or technical issues, the Foundation’s general office can be reached at [email protected] or by calling (765) 938-1177. The application window opened on February 1, 2026, and will close on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. No pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers are required. The application process is direct, with the full proposal submitted through the Foundation’s web portal. The CIRCLe Fund does not indicate specific evaluation criteria in the public materials, but given the fund's history, emphasis is likely placed on local impact, feasibility, and responsiveness to community needs. The fund’s history includes awards to a diverse range of organizations such as the Rush County Senior Center, M.o.R.E. for Kids, and Rushville Public Library. In 2025, the Love Community Center was awarded a grant that enabled the transformation of a room into the "Love to Play Haven," a sensory-rich, inclusive indoor playground. This history demonstrates the fund’s consistent support for community enrichment and its focus on projects that create lasting benefits for local residents. Although the fund does not explicitly state its recurrence, its consistent annual grantmaking since 2013 strongly suggests a recurring nature. However, no upcoming cycle details have been published at this time. Interested applicants who miss the current cycle may wish to monitor the Rush County Community Foundation website for updates on future funding opportunities.