Community Grant Program

The Community Grants program, administered by The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc., reflects the Foundation’s mission to support initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents of Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana. The program aims to direct philanthropic resources to nonprofit organizations that align with community priorities and demonstrate potential for long-term positive impact. Funding is made available from the Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund, named unrestricted funds, and select field of interest funds. Grants are typically awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and may also be available to public charities such as governmental units and schools. Grants are provided in several focus areas, including arts and culture, community betterment, economic development, education, and human services. The community betterment category is broad, encompassing initiatives related to recreation, public safety, neighborhood revitalization, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, beautification, and overall community well-being. The Foundation places emphasis on projects that address pressing local issues, foster collaboration, provide practical solutions, and yield measurable, lasting outcomes. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), which is reviewed by Foundation staff on a rolling basis. Applicants whose LOIs align with the Foundation’s priorities may be invited to submit a full application. Once invited, applicants have two weeks to complete their submission. Applications are reviewed quarterly by volunteer grants committees, which make recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors for final funding decisions. Grant award notifications are issued following board meetings in February, May, August, and November. For applicants seeking a specific funding decision timeline, suggested LOI and application submission windows are provided. To receive a decision by February, LOIs should be submitted by December 19 with applications submitted by January 12. For May decisions, LOIs should be in by March 13 with applications by April 13. For August decisions, LOIs should be submitted by June 12 with applications by July 13. For November decisions, LOIs should be submitted by September 11 with applications due by October 12. Funding is not available for individuals, political activities, religious purposes, debt reduction, travel, fundraising events, contributions to endowments, or projects already covered by planned public funding. The Foundation does not typically fund statewide, national, or out-of-state organizations unless the grant serves Delaware County residents exclusively. Organizations may generally receive one grant per calendar year unless they are also serving as a fiscal agent for a collaborative effort, which must meet specific structural and operational requirements. First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation’s Program and Nonprofit Relations Team to discuss their ideas prior to submission. All application materials must be submitted online via the designated portal. Grantees must sign a grant agreement and submit a post-grant report. The Foundation is committed to equity and does not discriminate based on age, race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its grantmaking process.