Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) IX - Community Support Grants

Lilly Endowment, a private philanthropic foundation based in Indiana, has launched the ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative to support community foundations throughout Indiana. Since the inception of the GIFT program in 1990, the Endowment has aimed to strengthen local communities by building the capacity of community foundations to address local challenges and foster long-term development. Through GIFT IX, the Endowment continues its commitment to empowering local leadership and advancing quality of life across the state. The Community Support Grant component of GIFT IX allocates up to $135.75 million to provide flexible funding for community foundations. These funds are intended to support projects, programs, or initiatives that meet compelling near-term needs in local communities. Each eligible community foundation may apply for a grant amount that corresponds to the population size of the counties they serve, with awards ranging from $750,000 to $15 million. Grant funds may be used for a wide array of priorities such as early childhood development, housing, food insecurity, mental health, education, youth services, and more. Funds may be distributed at the discretion of the community foundation through existing or newly developed regranting strategies, including open or invitational opportunities for local nonprofits. Allowable uses include programmatic support, capital projects, operational costs, and organizational capacity building. Administrative and planning costs of up to 15 percent of the grant may be allocated, covering staffing, consultants, marketing, and stakeholder engagement efforts. All grant funds must be deployed within a three-year period and may not be endowed or retained beyond the grant term. Proposals must include a cover letter from the executive staff leader, a detailed narrative outlining community priorities and proposed strategies, a letter of support from the board chair, a line-item budget, and a recent public support worksheet. Submission is due by noon Eastern Time on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Proposals must be submitted via the Lilly Endowment website as a PDF, along with Excel versions of the budget and support worksheet. The grant narrative should articulate how the foundation will define local priorities, engage with stakeholders, and align efforts with other local entities including government, businesses, and nonprofits. Emphasis is placed on the foundation’s leadership role in the community and the inclusivity of its planning and distribution strategy. While the proposal does not need to identify specific recipients, it must outline a thoughtful and structured process for developing an effective grantmaking strategy. For inquiries, applicants are directed to contact the Endowment by email at gift@lei.org. The program provides a unique opportunity for Indiana community foundations to scale their impact by leveraging significant philanthropic resources to address pressing local needs.

Emphasize strategic alignment with community priorities; engage wide range of local stakeholders; use funding to complement other sources; clearly articulate regranting strategy.