Lilly Endowment Inc. has launched the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative.
It was announced in a press release provided by the Community Foundation of Pulaski County that GIFT is allocating up to $210 million to help Indiana community foundations strengthen the quality of life in the towns, cities, and counties they serve. The GIFT initiative is based upon Lilly Endowment’s longstanding belief that community foundations are uniquely positioned to play central roles in building the prosperity of communities throughout Indiana.
Through this new GIFT phase, Lilly Endowment has invited the Community Foundation of Pulaski County and other eligible Indiana community foundations to participate in three funding opportunities designed to help them grow their financial resources to enhance their effectiveness and promote long-term viability, further strengthen their abilities to lead on important community priorities, encourage board engagement and support and develop strategic efforts to enhance quality of life in their communities.
The grant opportunities include Matching Fund Grants, which will enable community foundations to develop unrestricted assets, implement projects and programs that address community needs and build their internal capacity. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $135.3 million for this opportunity.
The press release also stated Community Leadership Grants will also be available. These will enable community foundations to continue to seek input from a diverse range of community stakeholders and, if desired, request funding to develop and implement large-scale action plans that address high-priority challenges and opportunities in their communities. Additionally, community foundations can choose to work collaboratively to address shared priorities by submitting a joint proposal. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $65.5 million for this opportunity.
Finally, Board Engagement Grants will be available. These will encourage board members of community foundations to make financial contributions to their foundations. Each community foundation demonstrating 100 percent board member giving will receive a $100,000 unrestricted grant. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $9.2 million for this opportunity.
To learn more about GIFT VIII, please visit here.
