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Lead Forward Community Grants Program is a grant from the Lilly Scholars Network that funds community improvement projects led by Lilly Endowment Community Scholars partnering with Indiana nonprofits. The program empowers Lilly Scholars to apply their leadership skills to make a positive difference in Hoosier communities through collaboration with local 501(c)(3) organizations.
Grants are up to $2,500 per award and available quarterly in 2026, with deadlines January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15. Eligible applicants are Lilly Scholars who partner with a registered Indiana nonprofit to design and implement a community impact project.
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Lead Forward Community Grants - Lilly Scholars Lead Forward Community Grants A Conversation with the Governor Lead Forward Community Grants A Conversation with the Governor Lead Forward Community Grants Empowering Scholars and Strengthening Communities The Lilly Scholars Network Lead Forward Community Grants Program is designed to invest in Hoosier communities by empowering Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to partner with local organizations and make a positive impact.
Applications will be accepted quarterly in 2026 with grant deadlines January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15. Schedule a meeting to learn more or discuss a project idea Get a glimpse of our recent projects! Purpose: To cultivate meaningful connections between Lilly Scholars and Indiana communities by supporting collaborative grant projects.
Focus: We fund projects that address a variety of community needs and priorities, fostering innovation and positive change across the state. Eligibility: Open to Lilly Endowment Community Scholars partnering with eligible non-profit organizations to impact Indiana communities. Scholars: Gain valuable leadership experience, develop grant-writing skills, and contribute directly to their communities.
Nonprofits: Access funding and partner with talented, dedicated Scholars to make a positive impact in communities. Communities: Share the positive impact of scholar-driven initiatives. $359,939.
64 awarded in grants to Indiana communities since 44 Out of Indiana’s 92 counties have been awarded grants. 131 grants have been awarded since the program began. Applications will be accepted quarterly in 2026.
We are currently updating the program guidelines . April 1, 2026 – Sept 30, 2026 July 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 Oct 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 Jan 1, 2027 – June 30, 2027 Before you apply, it will be helpful to reference these resources: Program Overview and Application If you have questions about the process or want examples of previous successful applications, please contact the LSN staff.
Information Sessions and Events We host information sessions and workshops to discuss the Lead Forward Community Grant Program, its impact, and how to participate. These events are open to interested Lilly Scholars and potential nonprofit partners. If you’d like to attend or schedule a session, email bryana@lillyscholarsnetwork.
org . 2026 LFCG Applications will be accepted quarterly! Grant Period: Projects must be completed within six months of the award date.
Since its inception, the Lead Forward Community Grants Program has funded numerous impactful projects across Indiana. Explore some of the inspiring initiatives our Scholar-community partnerships have brought to life.
See all Lead Forward Community Grant Spotlights Vanderburgh County Teen Court – Virtual Hearings The Vanderburgh County Teen Court program is operated by Youth Resources in partnership with Vanderburgh County Juvenile Court, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, the Evansville Police Department, and the Evansville Bar Association.
Through investing in better technology, these young leaders’ virtual hearings, continued webinar series, and foundational activities, like new volunteer trainings, will improve and impact more students in this community.
Youth Resources of Southwestern Indiana, Inc. Laura Ferguson, 2007 Vanderburgh County Lilly Scholar This grant project aims to reduce pet overpopulation and shelter crowding by offering subsidized spay/neuter surgeries to low-income pet owners. The grant will reduce the copay for these surgeries to make them more accessible to those in need, preventing unwanted litters and promoting responsible pet ownership.
Monroe County Humane Association Andrew Krebbs, 2000 Monroe County Lilly Scholar This project aims to help address food insecurity in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The grant funds will be used to host a food drive in collaboration with the food bank that engages local high school clubs and community members to collect donations. The food drive will culminate in a community event where the collected food will be distributed.
Follow along at www. instagram. com/paesfeedforward .
Community Harvest Food Bank Mueyae Pae , 2023 Allen County Lilly Scholar This grant supports the creation of a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) makerspace at IPS 55 Eliza Blaker Elementary School to enhance student engagement in STEAM subjects.
Krista Searles , 2004 Wabash County Lilly Scholar "Dive" into the Witham Family YMCA This project will provide additional equipment for the aquatics center and aims to increase community engagement by allowing for more entertaining and accessible aquatics programming for all ages. Michael Trojnar , 2004 Lake County Lilly Scholar Put Your County on the Map!
Our Lead Forward Community Grants Program has funded projects across the state of Indiana. Explore past grant projects and get inspired on how to create impact in your community! API keys with referer restrictions cannot be used with this API.
Spring 2025 Lead Forward Community Grant Recipients The Spring 2025 Lead Forward Community Grants have been awarded to the following organizations. Thanks to all who took the time and initiative to plan a project and apply. We can’t wait for our project leads to see these projects through to completion!
Download Spring 2025 Press Release Spring 2024 Press Release Spring 2023 Press Release Spring 2022 Press Release Spring 2021 Press Release Join Us in Making a Difference in Indiana Scholars: Stay tuned for application announcements and learn how to get involved! Nonprofits: Consider partnering with a Lilly Scholar on a future grant project.
Communities: Stay informed about scholar-led initiatives and celebrate their positive impact across Indiana. For more information about the Lead Forward Community Grants Program, please contact Bryana Schreiber, LSN Program Director, at bryana@lillyscholarsnetwork. org .
1500 N. Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 info@lillyscholarsnetwork. org Join Our Online Community The Lilly Scholars Network is guided by Indiana Humanities and generously supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. © 2025 Lilly Scholars Network Lead Forward Community Grants A Conversation with the Governor 1500 N.
Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 info@lillyscholarsnetwork. org
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Lilly Scholars who partner with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to improve their Indiana community. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $2,500. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Applications for Lead Forward Community Grants Program are due July 15, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
Lead Forward Community Grants Program is funded by Lilly Scholars Network (Lilly Endowment). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Indiana. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
Empowering Communities Grants is sponsored by PPL Foundation. These grants enrich the overall vitality of the community through programs that protect the environment and improve people's lives. Focus areas include environmental stewardship and education. Projects involving native plant pollinator habitat restoration within the Schuylkill watershed could align with environmental stewardship goals.
Brown Girl Jane x SheaMoisture Grant is a grant from SheaMoisture and Brown Girl Jane that funds Black and woman-owned beauty and wellness businesses in the United States. Part of SheaMoisture's broader commitment to addressing racial inequality through its $1 million annual giving fund, this program specifically supports founders at the intersection of Black and women-owned entrepreneurship in the beauty and wellness sector. Applicants must be based in the U.S. and have operated their business for at least one year. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. Check the SheaMoisture Fund website for the current open cycle, as deadlines vary by cohort.
The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation's 2026 Open Call opened June 1 and closes July 3, across three focus areas: Global Health, K-12 STEM Education, and Economic Mobility. But two of the three only fund Marion County, Indiana. Here is how to read the geographic fine print, why the funder's commercial identity shapes what wins, and how to position a proposal that actually fits.
Read articleThe Lilly Foundation's 2026 Open Call accepts pre-applications June 1 through July 3. Its three priorities — Global Health, K-12 STEM Education, and Economic Mobility — look national, but the education and mobility tracks concentrate heavily in Marion County, Indiana, while the health track funds cardiometabolic work abroad. Here's how to read the geography before you spend a week on a pre-application you can't win.
Read articleThe ReVAMPP network funds vaccine and monoclonal antibody research across five virus families. Here is who won, what the prototype-pathogen strategy means, and how to position for the next round.
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