Community Impact Grants
Closed February 12, 2026
HCCF Community Impact Grants offer financial assistance for charitable programs and projects serving Hendricks County.
This responsive grant program is designed to be open-ended allowing for nonprofits and charitable groups to apply for funding to help meet the needs of their organization in service to the needs of Hendricks County. Consider what Community Foundation funding could help move your organization or our community to the next level.
Commitment to Community Partners
Community partners are core to our vision of Hendricks County as a place where everyone has the opportunity to have a fulfilling life and the tools they need to build a stronger future together. It is through funding their work that HCCF makes real impact on our community and our residents, which is why it is imperative that we build our programs with them in mind—FOR our community partners. To that end, this is our commitment to our community partners:
We commit to continual learning about:
- our community by:
- completing a tri-annual Community Needs Assessment
- participating in community meetings and task forces
- our community partners by:
- building trust-based relationships
- showing up and listening
- best practices for our work by:
- participating in local and national learning opportunities
We commit to being trusted partners with our community organizations in our shared missions by:
- creating a transparent website including description of the grant process, timelines, and other important information for potential grant applicants
- soliciting and acting on feedback from applicants and recipients
- offering additional support beyond the grant
We commit to eliminating barriers to our community partners receiving and implementing funding by:
- sharing the burden of the application process
- simplifying and streamlining paperwork from application to reporting
- providing unrestricted grants whenever possible
Eligibility
Who/What is eligible*:
- Applicants do not have to be 501(c)(3) public charities; however, the applicant program/project must be charitable and serve the general population/be open to the public.
- Applicants must be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of the Indiana Secretary of State of Indiana, and any other pertinent governing body.
- Programs/projects must serve Hendricks County.
- Programs/projects must meet a measurable or demonstrable need in Hendricks County.
- Programs/project must not discriminate in terms of program provision, and the applicant organization must not discriminate in staffing or hiring decisions.
- Funds must be used specifically for the purposes stated in the application
Who/What is Ineligible*:
- For-profit companies.
- Grants to individuals or families for personal needs
- Bands, sports teams or other groups without a philanthropic project
- Annual appeals or membership contributions
- Fundraising events such as galas, golf tournaments, walk-a-thons and fashion shows
- Projects aimed at promoting a particular religion or construction projects for religious institutions
- Organizations or projects that discriminate based upon race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, citizenship status, genetic information, military service/veteran status, or any other category protected under state or local law
- Political campaigns or projects aimed at promoting a particular political party or candidate
- Post-event, after-the-fact situations or debt retirement
- Endowment or reserve-building
- Classroom/teacher grants and schools/school districts/education foundations*
- Parks, trails, and outdoor spaces**
**Annually, HCCF provides grants to the six public school education foundations/districts. Generally, schools/school districts/education foundations are not eligible for Community Impact Grants unless the project serves the greater community and not solely the students or teachers of that school/school district.
**Annually, HCCF provides a grant to the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County to support local parks, trails, and outdoor spaces. For more information, please contact the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County.
Disclaimer: These lists are not exclusive, if you are curious about whether or not your organization/project/program is eligible, please contact HCCF Vice President of Programs Eric Hessel at eric@hendrickscountycf.org or 317.268.6240.
Timeline - 2026
January 12
Applications Live
February 12 by 3 pm
Applications Due
February 13 – February 19
HCCF Staff Review
February 20 – March 9
HCCF Grants Committee Review
March 16 – April 1
One-on-One Meetings with Applicants
April 15
HCCF Grants Committee Meeting
April 23
Recommendations Submitted to the HCCF Board
April 30
HCCF Board Approval
Grant Size
For 2026, HCCF will have approximately $380,000 available for the Community Impact Grant program. In general, grants of this type average around $20,000. That being said, we encourage applicants to demonstrate the full need in their requests.
HCCF reserves the right to partially fund requests, require a match or be final dollars into the program.
Grant Application Preview
View a SAMPLE PDF version of the application before applying. This is a sample application and may not perfectly reflect the current application.
Preview the Community Impact Grant Application
NOTE: This is a preview only. Only applications submitted through the online grant portal will be accepted.
Grant Reporting
Instead of a traditional grant report, HCCF utilizes the HCCF Grantee Press Release for grantees to capture the impact of their grant. These press releases are due to the Community Foundation generally a month after the last dollars are spent or within a year of the grant award date.
Past Recipients - 2025 Round 2
At Your School (AYS) received $5,000 to help support their out-of-school time program. This program includes areas focused on literacy, STEM, SEL, and Health/Wellness. They also offer academic/homework support and individualized tutoring where needed.
Crossroads of America Council, Scouting America received $5,000 to provide financial assistance to families requesting financial assistance to partake in scouting.
Cummins Behavioral Health received $4,000 to support their Family Fun Night program, where families engage in meaningful activities together. These events are designed to promote a sense of belonging and help families build sustainable, natural support systems. Activities vary from outings to Beasley’s Orchard to ice skating at Washington Park or painting at UPaint.
Danville-Center Township Public Library received $4,000 for its Carnegie Preservation and Restoration. This is the last remaining Carnegie library in Hendricks County, still serving its original purpose as a public library. Preservation includes replacing outdated and loose handrails to improve safety, restoring the entrance, and re-tiling the vestibule.
The Gathering Together (TGT) received $4,800 to provide support for expanding compassionate end-of-life care through renovation and relocation. This relocation and renovation will allow TGT to expand its capacity to serve individuals at end of life and provide supportive services for their families.
Handicapable Camp received $5,000 to support camp attendance fees. Handicapable Camp is designed for individuals of all ages with all types of disabilities. Through activities at camp, campers are able to experience outdoor activities they generally do not have the opportunity to participate in, expanding their personal experience and making friends along the way!
Hendricks County Education Foundation Alliance
Hendricks County Education Foundation Alliance received $4,400 for collaborative capacity building and networking across County education foundations.
Hendricks County Humane Society received $4,000 for website development. This website rebuild will improve efficiency and expand online presence.
Hendricks County Senior Services received $5,000 to support transportation services for older adults. HCSS provides safe, affordable, and reliable transportation to essential destinations in the community. These destinations include medical appointments, employment, grocery/pharmacy, and community spaces.
Hendricks Live received $5,000 to support stage 2 of its Indiana History Education Program. Once complete, this theatrical play will educate fourth-grade students about Hendricks County and Indiana history.
Hope Healthcare received $8,775 to expand access to essential dental care for uninsured individuals in Hendricks County—one of the most requested and underserved areas of service they provide.
Indy Hygiene Hub received $5,000 to provide hygiene kits for families in need. These kits include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and laundry detergent sheets–basic hygiene items that are not covered by government assistance programs.
Kiwanis Club of Plainfield received $5,000 to support their comfort closets across 11 schools in Plainfield and Cascade. Items vary from clothing to hygiene to support students at the school.
Misty Eyes Animal Shelter received $1,900 for necessary equipment for daily care and the surgical needs of animals. Animal intake involves basic medical procedures, while surgery can include spaying, neutering, and other minor surgical procedures.
Paws & Think received $3,346 to expand their therapy dog and reading program in Hendricks County. This program includes grief support sessions at Brooke’s Place West, trauma-informed visits at Susie’s Place, and literacy-focused Paws to Read programs at Avon, Plainfield, and Brownsburg libraries. These visits create safe, supportive environments where children build confidence, emotional resilience, and reading fluency by interacting with nonjudgmental therapy dogs.
Radiant CDC received $5,000 to support furnishing 22 supportive housing units at Winding Way. This new development in Plainfield is designed specifically for families exiting homelessness.
Strides to Success received $5,000 to support their new Director of Community Engagement role. This role will help the organization implement a comprehensive engagement strategy, which includes expanding community partners, community open houses, and representing the organization in the community.
Susie’s Place received $8,686.20 to upgrade their donor management system. This new platform has the tools to increase their fundraising in the corporate and individual sectors.
Visit Hendricks County received $5,000 for its CARE to Connect program/accessibility education and audits. This program identifies destination needs and desires through resident research and conducts accessibility surveys to improve access for all.
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis (HRH YMCA) received $2,000 to support its Active Older Adults in Hendricks County Program. This will include Lunch and Learns to provide information sessions and address wellness topics. This is also a chance for seniors to socialize and build community.
Past Recipients - 2025 Round 2
AcessABILITY Center for Independent Living received $5,000 to support their leadership & advocacy training for people with disabilities. This program provides leadership training with curriculum designed by and for people with disabilities. Topics include disability rights and laws, working with policy and administrative leaders, and serving on boards, commissions, and councils.
Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young People received $2,500 to support their Ongoing Grief Support for children who have lost loved ones. This program uses peer-to-peer support groups to encourage grieving young people to express their thoughts and feelings, talk about their loved one who died, and learn to live with their loss.
Building Essential Skills Together received $3,000 to support their programing for adults with developmental disabilities. Through this program, adults engage in interactive workshops that blend social engagement, job readiness training, and mentorship from licensed therapists and job coaches. Investing in these adults is not only life changing for them but also leads to positive change in our community.
Central Indiana Youth for Christ (CIYFC) received $2,000 for their mental health support for teen parents. These funds will help reach pregnant and parenting teens and their children to gain skills to balance physical, emotional, spiritual, and social health. This includes regular group meetings, career mentoring, therapy sessions, and summer retreats.
Eel River Township Fire Rescue received $4,415.50 to help fund the purchase of a 12 Lead EKG Heart Monitor. This heart monitor replaces the no longer FDA certified and out of date monitor. It also allows for easier transitions from ambulance to hospital for patients experiencing cardiac arrest since only one set of pads needs to be used.
Family Promise of Hendricks County received $5,000 to support emergency housing. Emergency hotel housing keeps people from sleeping in their cars, particularly during the winter months when extreme cold weather poses serious health risks. These temporary housing conditions will provide individuals with a safe refuge while Family Promise works to connect them with more permanent housing solutions.
First Response Wellness Foundation received $1,600 for their mental health support program for Hendricks County first responders. First responders often face traumatic and high-stress situations daily, often leading to various mental health challenges. Properly addressing these mental health challenges leads to improved public safety, reduced burnout, and stronger community connections.
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity received $2,500 for their homeownership programing for Hope Landing in Avon. Hope Landing will be a first-time buyer neighborhood in Avon that will feature single and two-story homes with three and four bedrooms with an attached garage. Programing encompasses activities ranging from recruitment and education of future homebuyers to construction of the homes that families purchase with an affordable mortgage.
Hendricks County Pride received $2,500 to fund LGBTQ community building programs. These community building events include a gardening class, H.C. Pride in June, and a Halloween Party in October. Each of these events gives community members a chance to get out and interact with one another in a safe space.
Hendricks County Youth Assistance Program received $5,000 in prevention programming for students dealing with difficult life circumstances. The funds will be used to offer mentorship, tutoring, therapeutic support, and full family support. Support also allows students and families to take advantage of resources that they didn’t know about or were unaware of how to gain access.
Hope Healthcare Services received $3,484 to upgrade software for HR Management. The improved software will enhance Hope Healthcare’s ability to manage volunteer scheduling and streamline communication. Hope Healthcare relies on a dedicated network of volunteer healthcare providers, staff, and board members, so these technological upgrades will increase operating efficiency to better serve patients.
Indiana American Academy of Pediatrics received $3,000 to provide books at pediatric visits. This Reach Out and Read program integrates early literacy into pediatric care, providing books to encourage families to read together.
Indiana Diaper Bank received $5,000 to provide diapers for families in need. Diaper need forces families to cut back on other essentials. IN Diaper Bank is committed to eliminating diaper need within Hendricks County and Indiana.
Jameson Camp received $4,865 to support summer camp for Hendricks County kids. These funds will be used to remove the financial barrier for a week at summer camp. Sitting on 135 acres of natural landscape on the edge of Indianapolis and Plainfield, Jameson Camp provides week-long overnight summer camps for children aged 7-17. Campers can expect to gain confidence, build friendships, and experience nature firsthand without the barriers of cost.
Junior Achievement of Central Indiana received $3,000 for its Youth Entrepreneurship Programing. As students achieve economic independence and enter the workforce, they will contribute to the local economy, filling high-demand jobs in fields that need skilled workers. More importantly, these students will serve as role models within their communities, showing others that it is possible to overcome barriers and achieve success.
Little Red Door Cancer Agency received $2,500 to provide support for Hendricks County residents with cancer. Support is provided in various ways, including: no-cost transportation to/from treatment, nutritional supplements, and care packages.
MSD of Wayne Township- Adult Education Program received $3,500 to help with purchasing computers for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners programing in Hendricks County. A growing immigrant population in Hendricks County is leading to an increase in ESL learners and with-it technological access is adding to the barriers of learning. These upgraded computers will help eliminate a key barrier to education and workforce readiness.
Pack Away Hunger received $5,000 to support meal packing for local food pantries. These funds will be used to provide 15,000 meals to food insecure residents.
Pathway of Hope Incorporated received $4,000 to assist with mobile and static pantry support and barrier brakers. This involves assistance with food, rent, and utilities to community members who are dealing with barriers to these.
Safe Families for Children Alliance received $2,100 for support on volunteer recruitment. These funds will be used to recruit, vet, and train volunteers who then go on to keep children safe during a family crisis, support and stabilize families in crisis, and reduce the number of children entering the child welfare system by reuniting families.
Sheltering Wings received $5,000 for mental health support and barrier breakers. Sheltering Wings provides comprehensive services to survivors of domestic abuse and their children. This grant will be used to support therapy services and direct financial assistance for survivors.
Sycamore Services H.C. received $2,500 to support Medicaid gap coverage and virtual programs. Funds will go to helping individuals who have lost their Medicaid receive support and services during their lapse in Medicaid.
The Miles We Walk received $2,000 to purchase hygiene products. SNAP does not cover the cost of hygiene or household products such as soap, detergent, toothpaste, or menstrual products. This grant will bridge that gap for people dealing with this barrier to hygiene products.
If you have any questions, please contact HCCF Vice President of Programs Eric Hessel at eric@hendrickscountycf.org or 317.268.6240.