Community Unity Grants

The Community Unity Grants program is administered by the Hendricks County Community Foundation (HCCF), a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Hendricks County, Indiana. The Foundation plays a central role in mobilizing community resources and engaging stakeholders to create impactful initiatives that foster inclusivity, civic participation, and local pride. This grant program supports community-centered initiatives that align with HCCF's broader objectives, particularly its GIFT VII Implementation Grant Program, while expanding opportunities for creative community engagement beyond the confines of predefined plans. The primary goal of the Community Unity Grant Program is to fund programs and projects that foster increased civic engagement, inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility, voter education and engagement, volunteerism—including service on nonprofit and public boards—and a stronger sense of county identity and pride. The program encourages a broad array of applicants whose missions reflect these core values. It is especially supportive of initiatives that expand accessibility or broaden the reach of local events and services, ensuring all community members are included in civic life. Eligibility for the grant is designed to be broad yet targeted to ensure resources remain in and benefit Hendricks County. The program prefers 501(c)(3) organizations but may consider other entity types upon consultation with HCCF. Government agencies and school corporations may also be eligible. However, grants will not be awarded to classroom-specific projects, fundraising or members-only events, youth or sports leagues, or explicitly partisan or religious activities. Initiatives must clearly demonstrate they serve or predominantly impact Hendricks County. Applications for the 2026 cycle will open on January 15, 2026, and close on November 2, 2026. Applications are reviewed monthly, specifically on the first Tuesday of each month, excluding January and December. Awards are announced on the second Tuesday of each month in the same review window. This monthly review cycle enables timely funding and iterative engagement throughout the year. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers, but applicants are strongly advised to contact HCCF's Vice President of Programs, Eric Hessel, with questions about eligibility before submission. The grant program anticipates awards to typically be below $5,000 on a one-time basis, though larger or multi-year grants may be considered based on merit and alignment with the program’s goals. Previous awards have included projects focused on accessibility improvements, public art, educational events, and community-building initiatives. For example, the Avon Outdoor Learning Center received funds to improve accessibility for students with mobility limitations, while the Hendricks County Arts Council secured matching funds for a mural project to promote local culture. All applications must be submitted through the official online portal. While a PDF preview of the application is available for review, only digital submissions will be accepted. Interested applicants can seek support or clarification from Eric Hessel at [email protected]. General inquiries may also be directed to [email protected] or via phone at 317-268-6240. The Community Unity Grants serve as a flexible, impactful funding source for initiatives that unify and uplift the Hendricks County community.

Contact the program officer before applying if eligibility is unclear; Avon Outdoor Learning Center: trail accessibility improvements; Hendricks County Arts Council: mural society support; Hendricks County Chambers of Commerce: public policy sessions; Hendricks County International Festival: 5-year diversity grant; Hendricks Community Calendar: community event coordination;