(BLOOMINGTON) – The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has opened the grant application for its annual Community Impact Funding Initiative.
This competitive granting program, co-funded by Smithville Charitable Foundation, is designed to fuel innovative ideas and lasting impact in our community through funding opportunities to meet our community’s most pressing needs and seize its most compelling opportunities.
This year, priority consideration will be given to projects and programs identified as potential solutions in the Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan.
“The Community Foundation is proud of the role that we play in supporting the advancement of the Indiana Uplands region,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We want to ensure that our children, families, and employers have every reason to stay in the Indiana Uplands and Monroe County. By aligning this year’s impact grants to the Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan, we will enhance the live, work, play environment for the benefit of all and improve our ability to attract and retain talent in our community.”
Peterson added, “We are also grateful for the generosity of Community Foundation donors and Smithville Charitable Foundation for entrusting us to invest in innovative programs and ideas to improve the quality of life for all who call Bloomington and Monroe County home.”
Impact Grant Timeline and Process
Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and tax-exempt entities are eligible to apply.
This includes nonprofits, units of government, school corporations and educational institutions, and religious organizations.
The Community Impact Funding Initiative uses a two-part grant proposal process.
Interested agencies should submit a two-page (maximum) letter of intent to the Community Foundation by Friday, September 12, 2019. View specific instructions for letters of intent.
Following a review of the letters of intent, selected organizations will be invited to submit full grant applications online, which will be due October 30.
The 2020 Community Impact Grants will be awarded at the Community Foundation Grant Reception on December 12.
Grant Information Workshop: August 7th
For additional guidance on preparing letters of intent and applications that align with the Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan, the Community Foundation will host a workshop on Thursday, August 7, 10am-12pm at the Fountain Square Ballroom. Attendance at this workshop is recommended. RSVP for the Aug 7th Grant Workshop by contacting Marcus Whited at marcus@cfbmc.org.
The Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan
Developed through the Regional Opportunity Initiatives’ (ROI) Ready Communities Initiative, the Monroe County plan was completed in 2019 through a community engagement process co-led by the Community Foundation and Bloomington Economic Development Corporation. A 28-person advisory team of community stakeholders served as the advisory team and provided input to ensure the plan was locally relevant.
The ROI Ready Communities Initiative helps communities plan, develop, and implement projects and programs that build quality of place, grow regional capacity for workforce development and attraction and improve the attributes and amenities that make the Indiana Uplands a desirable place to live, work and play.
The Monroe County plan identifies specific priorities and projects to improve quality of place and attract the in-demand, highly skilled workforce that will draw diverse opportunities, innovation, and high-paying jobs to our community. View the Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan.
Impact Grant Funding
Local 501(c)(3) organizations and other organizations exempt from filing for 501(c)(3) status may apply for the 2020 grants Initiative with requests ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Grant funding is designed to support a broad range of community needs such as arts and culture, social and health services, education, recreation, beautification and preservation, animal welfare, the environment, and community development opportunities.
Guidelines and instructions for the 2020 grant initiative are available online at https://www.cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-grant/community-impact-grants/.
For more information on eligibility and application procedures, contact CFBMC Program Director Marcus Whited at (812) 333-9016 or marcus@cfbmc.org.
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $27 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $32 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
About Smithville Charitable Foundation:
Inspired by altruism, The Smithville Charitable Foundation was established in 2007 as a desire to enrich lives by creating opportunities and bringing necessities to the communities served by Smithville Communications. As a private foundation, Smithville Charitable Foundation works closely with community foundations in the 17 counties of its service territory to support a variety of causes related to religion, education, health, the arts, relief of poverty or distress, and various public organizations.
