Deadline: 05/31/25 - Deadline for Arts & Culture, Environment, Recreation, Community Development, and Other Grants Cycle; Applications for Humanities Fund and Community Fund are considered throughout the year.
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Grant Description
Grants to Indiana nonprofit organizations to enhance the quality of life for residents in eligible communities. Some applicants must submit an LOI before applying. Funding is intended for capacity-building efforts, existing programs, and new initiatives. Special consideration is given to collaborative proposals and those that address root causes. Grants can help nonprofits kickstart a new project, adapt to a new challenge, or expand existing programming and operations. Eligible applicants serve Steuben County, and some grants may be specific to certain neighborhoods.
Grant Categories and Cycles:
Education Grants: Projects that are related to education, training, and advancement of skills to participants of all ages
Arts & Culture, Environment, Recreation, Community Development, Other Grants:
Projects that increase the number and quality of artistic offerings in the community
Projects that promote the preservation/appreciation of Steuben County’s natural resources
Projects that improve access to and the facilities available for recreation, such as parks, bike trails, walking paths, etc.
Projects that develop the heart of the community and promote the gathering of local community members for collective action and relationship building
Health & Human Services Grants: Health grants are for projects that address both physical and mental health, providing additional healthcare services or improving the existing services for Steuben County residents. Human Services is broadly defined as any project or organization that meets basic human needs and improve quality of life, both through the prevention of issues and by addressing current problems.
Impact Grants: Larger, multi-year grants for big projects that are innovative, collaborative, and
sustainable in nature.
Substance Abuse & Recovery Grants: These grants are available to nonprofits, healthcare providers, and government agencies.
Women’s Fund Grants: Projects that address women’s issues and which primarily serve Steuben County women and girls.
Humanities Fund Grants: The Humanities Council supports programs that help boost local talent and bring the arts and humanities to Steuben County
Community Fund Grants: Angola, Ashley-Hudson, Clear Lake, Fremont, Hamilton, Helmer, Metz, Orland, Pleasant Lake, and Salem Center: Projects that primarily benefit the residents of each community to meet local needs, offer local services, or make county-wide services more accessible.
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations serving Steuben County. Requests may be approved for nonprofits headquartered outside Steuben County if a majority of the people benefitting from the grant funds reside in Steuben County.
Ineligible
Who the Foundation does not fund:
• Individuals
• Organizations with outstanding grant reports due to SCCF
• Organizations that do not serve Steuben County
What the Foundation does not fund:
• Projects normally fully funded by government or schools
• Religious activities that do not serve the community at large
• Political organizations or campaigns
• Projects that duplicate existing services without collaboration
• Projects where SCCF is the sole funder
• Requests for projects that have already occurred or debt reduction
• Requests for a project that SCCF has funded for 3 consecutive years
• Fundraising campaigns
Pre-Application Information
Deadlines:
• Education: Applications due January 31
• Arts & Culture, Environment, Recreation, Community Development, Other: Applications due April 30
• Health & Human Services: Applications due July 31
• Impact Grants: Letter of Inquiry due August 15, select groups are invited to submit applications due October 15
• Substance Abuse & Recovery Grants: Cycle 1: Apply May 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025.
Cycle 2: Apply October 1, 2025 through November 30, 2025
• Women’s Fund: Applications Due: May 31 and September 30
• Humanities Fund: Applications considered throughout the year
• Community Funds: Applications considered throughout the year.
Typically, the grants committee meets in the month after each grant cycle ends. Their recommendations are sent to the SCCF Board of Directors for final approval. Recipients must sign a grant agreement, and checks will be mailed afterward. This process takes 60-75 days from the end of the grant cycle.
Whether you have specific questions or are looking for general recommendations about grants, staff encourage applicants to contact them before submitting your grant request. If you are a first-time applicant, they can help clarify the process and guide you in the right direction.
Number of Grants
Impact Grant - Single grant
Estimated Size of Grant
The average grant size varies widely based on the grantmaking fund. However, for the Education Cycle, Arts & Culture, etc. Cycle, and the Health & Human Services Cycle, the average grant size is $500-$25,000.
Before starting your grant application, please review
the funding source's website listed below for updates / changes / addendums /
conferences / LOIs.
