Youth Grant Program

The City of Lawrenceburg Youth Grant Program, administered by the Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF), is designed to support not-for-profit organizations that offer meaningful programs for youth aged 0 to 18 within Dearborn County, Indiana. DCF, headquartered in Lawrenceburg, operates as a community-focused entity, directing charitable funds toward educational, cultural, and developmental activities that uplift the local population. This specific youth program reflects the Foundation’s commitment to enhancing the lives of young people through targeted grantmaking that ensures accessibility and equitable resource distribution across the county. The primary objective of the Lawrenceburg Youth Grant Program is to fund initiatives that have a direct and significant benefit for youth populations. It places strong emphasis on equitable geographic distribution: half of the total available funding is earmarked for programs where at least 75% of the participating youth reside within the Lawrenceburg School Corporation area, while the other half targets programs where 90% of participants reside elsewhere in Dearborn County. This distinction ensures that both the Lawrenceburg area and the broader county benefit from the funds while avoiding duplication of recreational or support services that are already adequately provided by other organizations. In terms of grant structure, eligible not-for-profit organizations may apply for a maximum of $8,000 in grant funding per calendar year. However, the program includes strict funding exclusions to guide applicants. Grants will not cover salaries, employee benefits, prizes, trophies, awards, or uniforms for all-star teams or coaches. Fees related to officiating—such as referees, umpires, or scorekeepers—are also ineligible. Furthermore, programs directly sponsored by schools are generally excluded from funding. Instead, school-related applicants must first seek funding from their respective Education Foundation or Endowment Corporation before applying and must include documentation of the outcome of that request. The grant evaluation process is overseen by an advisory committee comprising representatives from community organizations. This committee offers input to DCF regarding funding priorities and helps shape the final decisions regarding disbursement. While the website does not outline detailed application review criteria or narrative requirements, the necessity for providing demographic percentages related to youth residence—specifically, percentages of youth residing in Lawrenceburg and in Dearborn County—is a key submission component. The program has a recurring, deadline-based structure, with five annual application deadlines for 2026: February 9, April 13, August 10, October 12, and December 14. All applications must be submitted by 4:00 P.M. on the designated dates. The Foundation recommends that any questions about eligibility or the grant process be directed to the DCF office at 322 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, or by calling (812) 539-4115. Applications are accepted electronically, although the application link was noted as pending availability on the website. Overall, the City of Lawrenceburg Youth Grant Program reflects a local-level philanthropic effort focused on maximizing positive outcomes for youth through equitable, need-based funding. It incorporates localized decision-making, structured restrictions, and an annual recurring submission cycle that facilitates predictable planning for community organizations serving young people in the region.

Confirm participant demographics before applying. Avoid restricted expenses. Begin process early due to 3-month review timeline. School-affiliated applicants must first seek Education Foundation approval.