The Change Ripley County Grant is an initiative established by Ripley Youth Outreach under the Ripley County Community Foundation. Its mission is to empower local youth, between the ages of 13 and 23, by giving them a platform to voice their ideas, the confidence to lead change, and the resources to positively impact their communities. This grant encourages young individuals to partner with a local nonprofit organization to establish a community improvement project specifically benefiting Ripley County, Indiana.
The grant is offered once every two years and provides funding of up to $10,000 for selected projects. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year but must be submitted by May 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM to be considered for the 2025 cycle. After initial review, the Change Ripley County Grant Committee will select no more than five finalists. These finalists will be invited to make a short pitch presentation to the committee and answer any questions regarding their project or program.
Eligible applicants must partner with a local nonprofit organization, indicating that projects must have formal organizational support. The grant process focuses on youth empowerment, community development, and leadership skills building for young residents of Ripley County.
Finalists are selected based on their project proposals, and winning projects receive funding to implement their initiatives. The application process is designed to be accessible to youth while ensuring projects have tangible community benefits.
