Women’s Fund of Central Indiana Grants

The Women’s Foundation of Indiana is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to strengthening the lives of women and girls across Central Indiana and, more recently, throughout the state of Indiana. With a strong emphasis on community-informed solutions, the Foundation operates from the belief that those most affected by social challenges are often best positioned to develop effective responses. The Foundation's grantmaking strategy is deeply grounded in local data and lived experiences, ensuring that its investments not only support existing effective work but also foster the growth of networks of care and expand opportunities for women and girls. In 2026, the Women’s Foundation is undergoing a period of strategic transformation as it plans for statewide expansion and the deeper integration of Trust-Based Philanthropy principles into its work. Despite this transition, the Foundation is continuing its commitment to funding vital programs by maintaining an active grantmaking cycle. Its 2026 funding will occur in two distinct rounds. The first round is reserved for key partners significantly affected by government cuts, and these organizations have already been identified and notified. The second round invites selected past grantees to apply for a one-time $10,000 grant through a competitive process. This round is invitation-only, with notifications by April 15, an application window from May 1 to May 29 via the CICF grants portal, and award announcements by September 30. Grant priorities for 2026 remain focused on four thematic areas: Violence, Economic Security, Girls’ Empowerment, and Health. These themes reflect longstanding commitments of the Foundation and guide the selection and evaluation of grantees. In addition to its annual grants, the Foundation supports targeted strategic partnerships such as statewide reporting initiatives on women and girls' wellbeing. Notably, recent efforts include the Indiana Fund, a collaborative fund with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which supports urgent needs and promising programs outside Central Indiana. The Foundation's flexibility in grant deployment during this transitional period underscores its responsiveness to community needs and its commitment to building long-term statewide infrastructure. Eligibility for the annual competitive grant program is limited to nonprofit organizations operating within Central Indiana, honoring the intentions behind the Foundation’s original endowment. Meanwhile, the Indiana Fund supports select initiatives beyond Central Indiana through a separate funding stream. Although the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, it encourages interested parties to stay informed by subscribing to its newsletter or monitoring its website for announcements regarding open calls or future funding opportunities. Application to the 2026 Round 2 process is by invitation only. Eligible past grantees selected for this process will be asked to submit a brief application outlining their proposed use of the $10,000 grant. The streamlined approach reflects the Foundation's movement toward a Trust-Based Philanthropy model, which emphasizes accessibility and equitable relationships between funders and grantees. Applications must be submitted through the CICF portal during the open window, and decisions will be communicated by the end of September 2026. All applicants should be aware that the Foundation does not respond to funding requests submitted via email or other informal methods outside of its formal application periods. Further inquiries about eligibility or timing should be directed through the Foundation’s website. The organization maintains a central office in Indianapolis and can be reached at its listed address or main phone number for general communications.