IAAQLI Health and Wellness Grant Program

The Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative (IAAQLI), administered by the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) in partnership with the National Urban League (NUL) and the African American Coalition of Indianapolis (AACI), is offering grant funding under its Health and Wellness Round 4 Request for Proposal. This initiative is part of a $100 million grant awarded to the National Urban League by the Lilly Endowment to improve the quality of life for African Americans in Indianapolis and Marion County. IAAQLI targets six key areas, with this particular RFP focused on advancing equity in health and wellness through community-driven solutions that address mental health challenges disproportionately impacting Black residents. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support programs that improve access to culturally responsive mental health care and reduce health disparities for African American communities in Indianapolis, particularly those related to maternal health and male emotional well-being. Funding aims to reduce systemic barriers and stigma while promoting healing and resilience among Black mothers, children, and men. IAAQLI is prioritizing community-based, culturally relevant, and sustainable interventions that focus on maternal mental health during the perinatal and postpartum periods, child wellness, and male emotional literacy, trauma care, and access to mental health support. A total of $925,000 in funding is available, with individual grant requests ranging from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $250,000. Funding may be used for staffing, training, resource curation, direct services, and professional development. Projects should align with one or both of IAAQLI’s strategic priorities: enhancing maternal and child wellness or supporting male mental health. Preference is given to programs demonstrating sustainability, cultural competency, and measurable community impact. Proposed activities should incorporate holistic care, community partnerships, and support structures that are evidence-based and culturally anchored. Eligibility is limited to organizations classified as public charities under IRS Section 501(c)(3), including educational institutions, healthcare providers, workforce development agencies, and community-based organizations. While partnerships with other entities are allowed, preference will be given to African American-led and Indiana-based organizations with demonstrated success in mental health services, healthcare advocacy, or violence prevention. All applicants must include supporting documentation, including a certificate of insurance naming NUL as an additional insured, the organization's most recent IRS Form 990, and a completed IAAQLI Budget Template. The application process is managed through the Smarter Select platform, accessible at www.iaaqli.org. Applications were due by August 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Prior to submission, applicants could email questions to info@iaaqli.org by July 14, with official answers posted on July 21. Evaluation criteria include eligibility, alignment with IAAQLI goals, organizational capacity, feasibility, sustainability, impact potential, and innovative or data-informed approaches. Award announcements are anticipated by October 10, 2025. Grant recipients are required to submit progress reports every six months and a final report upon completion. Future funding is contingent upon timely submission of these reports. Additional guidance, including proposal formatting and documentation requirements, is available within the full RFP document. This grant opportunity reflects IAAQLI’s commitment to long-term, culturally responsive investments in community health and emotional well-being.

Priority consideration goes to applicants with sustainability plans, cultural competence, and strong partnerships.