The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund Competitive Grants

Provided by collaborative member Indianapolis Foundation

The Funding Opportunity

The Library Fund was established by a donor to support projects and activities that increase literacy, information literacy and information access for Marion County residents. The Library Fund is a field of interest fund of The Indianapolis Foundation. 

  • The Library Fund will consider one-year or two-year grant requests.
  • Requests may be up to $150,000 a year.

The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund has three primary grant programs—

  1. Competitive Grants
  2. Media Center Enhancement Grants
  3. Minde Browning Professional Development Fund Grants

Grant Contact Info

Jamie Valentine

Jamie Valentine, Senior Community Leadership Officer, JamieV@indianapolisfoundation.org.  

Round 1 Application Opens:
January 14, 2025 (8 a.m.)

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Round 2 Application Opens:
July 31, 2025 (8 a.m.)

Round 1 Application Deadline:
February 27, 2025 (4 p.m.)

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Round 2 Application Deadline:
September 5, 2025 (4 p.m.)

Round 1 Grant Notifications:
By May 16, 2025

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Round 2 Grant Notifications:
By December 9, 2025

What is Funded

  • In general, The Library Fund grants support innovative programs, not general operating costs or capital expenses (including furniture).
  • The Library Fund will preference libraries and programs that:
    • Increase literacy, information literacy, statistical and data literacy, and/or information access and library use.
    • Support efforts that address and seek to eliminate disparities in library access or services. Disparities in access may be the result of race, ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTQ+ identity, language spoken, age, or other marginalized identity.
    • Serve high percentages of underappreciated, marginalized populations with quality, comprehensive programming with a sharpened focus on outcomes.
    • Take an innovative approach to programming or the role of the library in the community.
    • Are designed with and endorsed by the community and/or target population served by the program.
    • Include an evaluation mechanism for the community and/or target population served to inform programming design and delivery.
  • Technology requests can be supported if they are directly connected to the proposed program. See examples on the right.

Example Programs:

  • Reading program for neurodivergent youth that requires specific technology to read materials.
  • Bilingual story times for families that require purchasing books in multiple languages.
  • Digitization projects that make archival collections about Indianapolis history accessible and relevant.
  • Creation of a gaming lab or makers space within a high school library.
  • A series of author visits, including speaker fees and travel.
  • A school wide read that invites community members to take part, including books and honoraria for discussion leaders.
  • Training and transportation costs for high school or college students to serve as reading buddies for a nearby elementary school.

Examples of allowable and non-allowable technology requests:

Allowable

  • Specialized equipment (3D printers, podcasting equipment, etc.) for a maker’s space
  • Specialized equipment (scanners, cameras, etc.) or software for a digitization project
  • Equipment or software to increase access to collections for individuals with visual, auditory or other impairments

Non-allowable

  • General use computers, televisions, printers, etc., to support general library operations
  • Sets of laptops for classroom use
  • Charging carts
  • Teleconference equipment or software for meeting room
  • Charging stations

Eligibility

Geographic Area: Marion County

 

Eligibility: 

  • Only eligible institutions may apply. 
  • Libraries eligible to apply to The Library Fund include
    • the Indianapolis Public Library;
    • libraries at IUPUI,
    • Marian University, and
    • University of Indianapolis;
    • and any high school library in Marion County. 

How to Apply

Applicants must submit all application materials using our Grants Portal (powered by SmartSimple). If this is your first time submitting an application through this system, you will need to create a user profile for your organization.

For guidance on setting up your account and navigating your applicant profile, please refer to our Grants Portal 101 resource for guidance or reach out to GrantSupport@cicf.org. 

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APPLY HERE

Need Assistance?

  • If you have questions regarding the application process or the grant program in general, please contact Jamie Valentine, Senior Community Leadership Officer, JamieV@indianapolisfoundation.org.  
  • Grant Support staff for the CICF Collaborative are available to provide technical assistance for Grants Portal access and use throughout the application period at GrantSupport@cicf.org.