Grants to improve Educational Outcomes for Black Students in Indiana

The Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative (IAAQLI), administered by the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) in collaboration with the National Urban League (NUL) and the African American Coalition of Indianapolis (AACI), invites applications for its Round 4 Education funding opportunity. IAAQLI is underpinned by a $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment to NUL and is designed to mobilize African American resources and foster partnerships that enhance the quality of life for African Americans in Indianapolis and Marion County. Education is one of six priority areas for IAAQLI, which also includes Business & Entrepreneurship, Employment, Health and Wellness, Housing and Homeownership, and Leadership and Civic Engagement. This Request for Proposal (RFP) targets the improvement of literacy and education outcomes for African American residents in Marion County. It seeks projects that address gaps in early childhood literacy, adult literacy, digital literacy, and culturally responsive education. With an available funding pool of $1,000,000, IAAQLI will award individual grants between $100,000 and $250,000. The initiative aims to close literacy gaps, promote lifelong learning, and support inclusive educational experiences. Eligible proposals must align with strategic priorities such as strengthening early childhood reading proficiency, expanding adult literacy services, bridging the digital divide, and fostering community-wide literacy support. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities providing education-related services. Traditional K–12 schools and school districts are ineligible. Priority will be given to African American-led organizations embedded in the Indianapolis community. Collaborations are welcome, and if multiple organizations are involved, letters of support must be provided to clarify roles and commitments. Organizations must also submit documentation including IRS determination letters, 990s, insurance certificates, and clearly defined program strategies. Applications must be submitted via the Smarter Select portal at https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/103798-Iaaqli by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on August 11, 2025. A Q&A period preceded the submission window, with inquiries due by July 14 and responses posted on July 21. Evaluation will be conducted by a team overseen by IUL, considering eligibility, alignment with strategic priorities, applicant capacity, feasibility, sustainability, and anticipated community impact. Reporting requirements include biannual and final project updates. Key strategies for funding include the integration of culturally relevant curriculum, comprehensive literacy development from early childhood to adulthood, digital literacy training, and the promotion of financial and life skills education. Projects must demonstrate a sustainable impact on the local Black community and a structured evaluation framework. IUL will require a Certificate of Insurance naming NUL as an additional insured entity before funding disbursement. Awards are anticipated to be announced by October 10, 2025. All questions about the RFP must be submitted in writing to info@iaaqli.org. IAAQLI and its partners reserve the right to request clarifications and conduct follow-up discussions with applicants. The program is expected to recur in future rounds, although the funding allocated to specific issue areas will remain constant.

Proposals with clear outcomes, collaborative strategies, and community impact are prioritized.