Employment Grant Program

The Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative (IAAQLI) Round 4 Employment grant opportunity is issued by the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) in partnership with the National Urban League (NUL) and the African American Coalition of Indianapolis (AACI). This initiative, funded through a $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment to the NUL, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for African American residents in Indianapolis and Marion County. It addresses six priority areas: Business & Entrepreneurship, Education, Employment, Health & Wellness, Housing & Homeownership, and Leadership & Civic Engagement. This RFP specifically pertains to the Employment focus area. The purpose of this grant is to support community-centered, equity-focused programs that build technical and employability skills among African American residents, ultimately fostering long-term economic mobility. The IAAQLI Employment Round 4 seeks proposals from eligible organizations to strengthen workforce participation through comprehensive training and career preparation for disconnected youth, unemployed adults, and justice-involved individuals. Key focus areas include technical training, digital empowerment, career-track job placement, wraparound support, and transportation access. IAAQLI has allocated a total of $2,500,000 for this funding round. Individual grant requests may range from $150,000 to $250,000. Funded programs must align with one or more core strategies: comprehensive career preparation, technology and technical skills development, and transportation and support services. All activities must be geared toward clear employment outcomes such as apprenticeships, certifications, or job placement in career-track fields. Supportive services to promote post-placement retention and advancement are required. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, workforce development agencies, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations with 501(c)(3) public charity status. Preference is given to African American-led organizations serving Indianapolis's Black community. Collaborations are permitted and encouraged, though all partners must submit signed letters of support outlining roles and qualifications. Applications must be submitted via the Smarter Select portal, with all responses due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on August 11, 2025. Required materials include a complete application form, IRS determination letter, 990 form, certificate of insurance (COI), project budget using the IAAQLI template, and a detailed evaluation and sustainability plan. The evaluation criteria emphasize alignment with racial equity goals, capacity for implementation, sustainability, innovation, and impact. Applicants may submit questions to info@iaaqli.org by July 14, 2025. Official answers will be posted by July 21, 2025. Award notifications are expected by October 10, 2025. Subgrant agreements must be signed and returned prior to funding release. Grant recipients are required to provide progress reports every six months, with a final report due at the end of the grant period.

Proposals with clear metrics, cross-sector partnerships, and post-placement supports will score highest.