Community Enrichment Grant

Eligibility 

Eligible non-profit organizations are located in Boone County and serve Zionsville residents and businesses. Funding must be used for charitable purposes as defined by section 170 (b)(1)(A). Awards are made without discrimination regarding age, color, race, religion, sex, disability, veteran status, or national origin and only to eligible recipients who do not unlawfully discriminate on these criteria.

Awards are made on a semi-annual basis. In 2023, awards will be made in May and October. To be considered for the next funding cycle, applications are due at least 30 days before the close of the term. Applications submitted within 30 days of award distribution will be considered for the next distribution.

Funded projects must be completed 12 months from the grant award date. Grantees must submit a report outlining the project's proposed vs. actual expenses and outcome(s).

Funded Projects

• Promote the Town of Zionsville
• Promote or support Zionsville businesses
• Create a public facility
• Improve infrastructure
• Celebrate diversity and inclusion in our community

Allowable funding activities

• Marketing
• Special events
• Community projects
• Cultural and arts-related projects
• Travel for professional development or business attraction

Criteria

• Address community needs and/or desires and foster cooperation with other organizations
• Clearly describe the plan for the project and outline the planning process and completion goals
• Provide a balanced budget with expenses indicated and evidence of cash match, in-kind, and other funding sources. In-kind includes any goods or services that would have been purchased
• Provide evidence of the fiscal responsibility of the organization
• Provide reasonable, measurable outcomes for the project
• Prior grant final report submitted for a previously funded project 
• Cooperation with other organizations
• Demonstrate quality, vision, effectiveness, and good management
• We encourage new applicants with innovative ideas; there is no guarantee that past recipients will be awarded future grants.

We Do NOT Fund

• Fundraisers
• Budget deficits
• Scholarships
• Grants to individuals
• Electoral/Political campaigns
• Expenses or activities that have or will have taken place before the earliest notification date as stated in the timeline
• Requests from religious organizations to promote or teach religious doctrine
• Capital campaigns

Grant Application Process

Click here to access the online grant application form.

If your organization received funding in any previous year, you must complete a final report or progress report before filling out and submitting an application.

• Grant Application Checklist Completed Online Grant Application Form
• State how the program/project meets the spending criteria of the Ordinance
• Narrative (this section is built into the online application)
  1. 1,000 words or less
  2. Briefly describe the history, mission, goals, and organization’s structure
  3. Project/program description, uniqueness
  4. Goals and plans for fulfilling the project/program
  5. Proposed measurable outcomes
  6. Evaluation process with any data to be gathered
  7. Any collaborating organization in the project/program
  8. Alternative and other funding sources
  9. Plans on adapting the project, based on funding
• Proposed Budget for Project/Program
• Proof of Non-Profit Status
• One-page total budget summary of the current fiscal year for the organization
• One-page resume of any contracted individuals and project/program director, if applicable
• Current list of Board of Directors
• 1-3 examples of publication, brochures, and promotional materials for the organization

Conditions for Award 

All grant recipients must present their project to Town Council and sign a grant agreement before funds are awarded. Additionally, a final report and budget must be filled out within 30 days of the completion of the project/program. If the project is not completed before the deadline, a progress report on the previous year’s grant must be presented to the Community Enrichment Grant Committee. Grant extensions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Otherwise, each awardee will be asked to present within 30 days of their extension date.  

Questions 

Contact Carol Johnson, the Mayor’s Executive Assistant, at 317-344-1167 or cjohnson@zionsville-in.gov.