Summer Youth Program Fund

Summer Youth Program Fund is sponsored by Central Indiana Community Foundation. Supports high-quality, safe, and positive experiences for Marion County children and teens ages 4-24 at little to no cost to families.

Indy Summer Youth Program – The Indianapolis Foundation info@indianapolisfoundation. org The Summer Youth Program Fund is a collaborative effort to support high-quality summer programs for Marion County youth. By investing in safe, enriching, and accessible opportunities, the fund helps young people learn, grow, and thrive during the summer months — while also supporting the organizations that make these experiences possible.

Every year, grants from the Summer Youth Program Fund (SYPF) support hundreds of free or low-cost enrichment programs for Indianapolis youth ages 4 to 24 known collectively as Indy Summer Youth Programs .

SYPF serves approximately 80,000 Indianapolis youth every year—about 24% of all the city's residents aged 4 to 24 $60 million in funds granted since 1995 286 programs funded for 2026 Whether you’re currently a grant-seeker, a grantee, or a funder, SYPF makes things easier every step of the way thanks to a collaborative philanthropic process: Youth-serving groups apply just once a year to access 10 different potential funders, including some of Central Indiana’s largest philanthropies.

Those funders collaborate to fulfill as many requests as possible. In fact, most qualified applicants receive some level of funding. Funders review these applications and choose which ones to support.

And they can be assured their grant has made a positive impact thanks to a Final Report that each awardee prepares at the end of the season. Applications for the 2027 grant cycle open on August 17, 2026. We look forward to receiving your proposal!

Visit this page beginning August 17 to access the application . The CICF Collaborative Grants Portal (powered by SmartSimple) is used for the Summer Youth Program Fund application process. The Grants Portal 101 guide walks you through the process of setting up an account.

For additional technical assistance, contact GrantSupport@cicf. org. To start an application, click here to login to the Grants Portal .

If you have questions about your application or SmartSimple, use the following resources: List of application questions (PDF) Short video overviewing SYPF, how it works, and timeline Short video walking through Smart Simple steps Short video on preparing the budget section of the application If you need further information or wish to receive annual notifications for the opening of the grant cycle, please contact Indianapolis Foundation Community Leadership Officer Maria De Leon .

SYPF Timeline for 2027 Grantees Application Opens – August 17, 2026 at 8am Orientation - September 11, 2026 9am-1:30pm Application Closes - October 16, 2026 at 4pm Applicants Notified – Week of February 1-5, 2027 Summer Youth Program Takes Place – May – August 2027 Final Reports Due – September, 30, 2027 at 5pm Program Grants can support costs such as staffing, program materials, healthy meals/ snacks, scholarships to lower registration costs, and more.

Eligible organizations will be tax-exempt or have a fiscal sponsor. The Lilly Endowment, Inc. makes special grants available for modest capital equipment purchases and projects. Capital Grants criteria, instructions, and application can be downloaded here.

Please note: Capital Grant recipients must have received Summer Youth Program Fund grants in two of the last three years (in 2023, 2024, or 2025) and must also be a 2026 grant recipient. Final reports for 2026 programs are due on September 30, 2026 . Final reports are assigned in and must be submitted via Smart Simple .

Please see the resources below to help you complete and submit your report. Final Report Technical Support Guide Final Report Preview - Use to prep your entries or download your final submission. Final Report Form Signature Link - Complete or share this link with your organization’s authorized signatory for completion.

All grantees are required to sign and upload this form certifying that all information in the final report, including financial information, is complete. For technical assistance with accessing or using Smart Simple, email Grant Support . All other questions should be directed to Community Leadership Officer Maria De Leon .

Summer Youth Program Fund Partners Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Anonymous local family foundation IndyStar Season for Sharing Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust The Indianapolis Foundation The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund If you have questions about Indy Summer Youth Program funding, please email IF Community Leadership Officer Maria De Leon .

For technical assistance with the Smart Simple application, email our Grant Support team .