Community Fund Grants

The Community Fund Grants, managed by the Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County, support local organizations with over $700,000 annually. These grants aim to foster innovative solutions, community collaborations, and sustainable projects in areas like Youth Development and Arts. Organizations are encouraged to submit a letter of intent and application to secure funding, while the foundation prioritizes impactful initiatives that benefit a broad segment of the community.

Note: You will need to complete and submit a letter of intent and online application.
Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County
As the community foundation of Bartholomew County, Heritage Fund connects donors with causes they care about and serves as a catalyst for positive change in our community. Heritage Fund was formed in 1976 as a community foundation with the purpose of creating a legacy of giving by providing an opportunity for all citizens to make gifts and establish charitable funds to benefit the local community.
Each year, Heritage Fund grants over $700,000 to local organizations through our grants programs to support our nonprofit partners in our effort to build a better Bartholomew County. Utilizing input from community experts in healthcare, economic development, social services, government, and the arts, Heritage Fund created a list of Areas of Impact that drive proactive grantmaking.
With a committed focus on Youth Development; Downtown Vitality; and Arts, Culture, Architecture and Design, our strategic grantmaking strives to make a positive difference in these priority funding areas.

Eligibility

The Community Foundation favors awarding grants that:Create or enhance innovative approaches to meet community needs and opportunitiesCreate or enhance collaborations with other organizationsReach a broad segment of the communityStimulate and encourage additional fundingPromote cooperation and avoid duplication of servicesHave a plan for ongoing sustainability of the effort past the granting period
The Community Foundation places low priority on the following, which are unlikely to receive funding: Projects where Heritage Fund is the sole funderReduction of debt (including payment for items purchased prior to grant approval)Programs that fall more appropriately under government fundingRequests from organizations that have an open Community Funds grant file (i.e., a balance remaining on a previous grant or an unfiled final report)

Ineligibility

The Community Foundation will NOT consider grants for:Ongoing operational expenses or unexpected gaps in operational budgetsIndividualsPolitical activities or those designated to influence legislationIndividual school needs, unless approved in writing by the school administration National and/or state organizations (unless the monies are to be used solely to benefit citizens of Bartholomew County)Faith-based organizations unless the project in question is not religious in nature, is not restricted based on faith, and involves no faith-based proselytizing.