Lebanon, Ind. — The Community Foundation of Boone County (CFBC) is launching a new $1
million grant initiative to support large-scale, high-impact lifelong learning projects
across Boone County. At its core, this initiative is about investing in people. It’s about ensuring
that individuals across Boone County have access to the learning opportunities they need to
build stronger futures, and in turn, strengthen the community for generations to come.
This investment reflects a core belief: learning doesn’t stop at a certain age or stage. It’s how
individuals grow, families thrive, and communities move forward. Through this initiative, the
Foundation is seeking projects where learning is the primary focus and expanding access to
meaningful opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities.
“Lifelong learning is about creating opportunities for people to keep learning, growing, and
building skills at every stage of life, from early childhood through adulthood and beyond,” said
Julie Reagan, CEO of CFBC. “That learning can happen in classrooms, on the job, in
community spaces, or anywhere people are gaining the tools they need to move forward. For
this initiative, learning must be the heart of the work and not an add-on to something else. We
are looking for ideas that expand access to meaningful learning experiences, help people adapt
and gain new skills, and ultimately open doors for their future.”
Questions should be directed to Ali Maxey, Director of Education & Grantmaking, at
ali@communityfoundationbc.org.
APPLICATION PROCESS + TIMELINE
Grants will range from $250,000 to $1,000,000 and may support programs, projects, or capital
investments that strengthen Boone County’s learning ecosystem. Competitive proposals will
remove barriers to access, demonstrate clear and measurable impact, either deep or broad, and
show strong potential for long-term benefit beyond the grant period.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, schools, libraries, and public entities serving Boone
County residents. Organizations may apply independently or collaboratively, and fiscal
sponsorship is permitted.
Given the scale of funding, applicants must demonstrate strong organizational capacity,
including financial stability, implementation readiness, and a clear plan for sustainability.
The application process is designed to be transparent and accessible. Key dates include:
● Required Info Session for Interested Applicants: June 16, 2026, 9:30 – 10:30am, at
Ulen Country Club in Lebanon
● Application Window: July 20 – August 21, 2026
● Grant Awards Announced: Late October 2026
Applications will be submitted through the Community Foundation’s online grant portal. The
scoring rubric will be discussed at the June 16 information session for interested applicants and
will also be publicly available on the Foundation’s website.
Funded projects must be completed by December 2028, with ongoing reporting to track
progress and impact.
Matching funds are not required; however, leveraged funding may strengthen proposals. Grant
funds may not be used to establish or contribute to endowments.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will be asked to provide:
● Organizational budget and financial statements and/or audit
● Evidence of successfully managing large programs or grants
● A clear project plan and timeline
● A sustainability plan beyond the grant period
● A letter of support from Board leadership
Organizations that may not yet have this level of capacity are encouraged to apply
collaboratively, partner with a fiscal sponsor, or apply for a grant through CFBC’s competitive
granting cycles. More details for these cycles can be found on the Foundation’s website.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Strong proposals will:
● Expand Access: Increase access to learning opportunities and remove barriers for
residents
● Create Impact: Deliver deep impact for a specific population or broad reach across the
community
● Strengthen Boone County: Benefit multiple communities and build or strengthen
systems, partnerships, or infrastructure
● Demonstrate Readiness: Show strong financial and operational capacity, with a clear
plan to implement and manage a large-scale project
● Sustain Impact: Extend benefits beyond the grant period through long-term planning
and sustainability