Western Indiana Community Foundation- Legacy Grants

The Western Indiana Community Foundation offers Legacy Grants aimed at supporting a variety of community needs through unrestricted funds. With a focus on local organizations in Fountain and Vermillion Counties, the grants prioritize projects that enhance community services, address significant issues, and foster partnerships. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and certain non-profit entities, while ensuring that funded projects benefit the local population directly. The application process is designed to be thorough yet responsive to community requirements.

Most grants are funded through Unrestricted Funds, which address a wide range of community needs.  Depending on the grant size, applications are reviewed monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. Each application undergoes thorough evaluation and research by the respective Board and WICF staff. Applicants will be notified immediately following the Board of Director's decision. It is important to note that each affiliate within WICF maintains its own funds for grantmaking.
Grant Focus
In Fountain County, the Attica, Covington, and Southeast Fountain Community Foundations focus on local needs within the geographical boundaries as set by the Board of Directors (i.e. the school corporation boundaries), with consideration given to the areas of health, charitable service, education, cultural affairs, and community improvement.
In Vermillion County, the needs of the entire County are addressed in its entirety.
All endowment funds, which stipulate in the fund agreement the areas to be supported from the income, earned on the fund assets will be honored regardless of location of grant recipient.
Grant Overview
The Western Indiana Community Foundation is dedicated to improving county services and increasing financial support for local nonprofits. The 2025 grant process has been updated to better meet community needs, address county-wide issues, support organizations of all sizes, and encourage community partnerships.

Eligibility

What kinds of grants are likely to be considered?Startup costs for new programs.One time projects.Capital needs beyond an organizations capabilities.Projects that affect a broad scope of people.Projects that fill a gap in service or meet a need.Projects that enable an organization to better serve the people of Fountain or Vermillion Counties.Projects that, when possible, demonstrate cooperation or partnership with other organizations.Eligible organizations. The Community Foundation welcomes grant proposals from organizations serving Fountain or Vermillion Counties defined as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code or non-501(c)(3) organizations with charitable causes.Faith-based organizations may apply for program funding provided there are no requirements to participate in religious instruction and/or take part in religious activities and the program or project will have a large benefit or impact to a community.Only organizations in good standing with the Community Foundation may apply for grants. Good standing means that the organization has followed these guidelines, submitted final reports for previous grants in a timely manner that were approved and has returned any unused portions of grants.

Ineligibility

National organizations (except for local chapters serving Fountain or Vermillion Counties) are not eligible for funding through the Foundation’s grant program.What kinds of grants will not be funded? Projects that do not affect people locally.Projects which are “third party” projects (ex. Someone who wants to bring a performance to area schools but has not received an invitation from school administrators or teachers).Projects whose effectiveness can’t be measured or for which there is no evidence of need.Requests from individuals (except for scholarships – does not include professional CEUs), or proposals designed to support a named individual.Requests to support regular operating budgets or provide long-term funding for projects or events.Post-event situations such as requests for reimbursement of expenses which occurred prior to a grant application.Those for political organizations.Those for religious purposes (please see additional information possible exceptions).Those from organizations not in good standing with the Community Foundation.Those for projects that are not core to the mission of an organization.