GIFT IX Lifelong Learning Grants

GIFT IX Lifelong Learning Grants

Funding Source: Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative

Total Available: $1.5 million to Community Foundation of Boone County

Geographic Scope: Boone County, Indiana

Focus Area: Lifelong Learning — Advancing educational and learning opportunities for people of all ages and abilities

Program Overview

The Community Foundation of Boone County received a $1.5 million Community Support Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.'s GIFT IX initiative (one of 92 Community Support Grants awarded statewide). The grant is designed to provide flexible funding to enhance grantmaking capacity to address compelling, near-term community needs.

CFBC's Board of Directors and staff determined this grant will be dedicated to advancing the organizational Lifelong Learning pillar.

What They Fund

Large-scale, high-impact grants aligned with lifelong learning initiatives that:
• Invest in learning and education for people of all ages and abilities
• Strengthen economic stability and workforce readiness
• Support personal wellbeing and connected families
• Help break generational cycles
• Contribute to a thriving Boone County

Implementation Timeline

• Grant cycle launch: 2026
• Application period: TBD (Community Foundation will announce details publicly
• Use period: Up to three years to expend grant funds

Eligibility and Next Steps

Eligibility requirements and detailed application information will be shared once the open grant cycle officially launches in 2026.

CFBC will host a community town hall in 2026 to present:

Grant program details

Eligibility requirements

Next steps and timeline

Current Status: No action needed now; more information will be provided once available.

Contact Information

Community Foundation of Boone County
• Phone: 765-482-0024 or 317-873-0210
• Email: info@communityfoundationbc.org
• Address: 102 N. Lebanon Street, Suite 200, Lebanon, Indiana 46052
• Website: communityfoundationbc.org

About GIFT IX

GIFT IX is a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support community foundations in strengthening the quality of life in the communities they serve. Through GIFT IX, Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $271.5 million to support Indiana's community foundations in growing their financial resources and addressing community challenges and opportunities.