Applications for the Elevation Grant Program will be accepted starting April 1. Previously known as the Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program, this program will invest $45 million in Indianapolis neighborhoods over the next three years to address root causes of violence in the city.
Last year, the city-county council unanimously voted to fund the grant program using money from the American Rescue Plan. This is the city’s largest investment in violent crime reduction efforts in recent year.
“We know that a neighborhood has no better advocate than the neighbors themselves,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said during a press conference March 21. “That’s why the city and The Indianapolis Foundation want to make sure that as many qualifying organizations as possible apply for these grants, to amplify the good work already being done by groups across Marion County.”
The funds from the Elevation Grant Program will be distributed over multiple rounds of grants, each of which focuses on a specific root cause of crime. The first round — totaling $5.5 million — will provide money to grassroots organizations focused on building up neighborhoods, youth empowerment and mental health outreach.
“Infrastructure development is crucial to lasting success,” Alicia Collins, director of community leadership at The Indianapolis Foundation, said. “We must elevate grassroots organizations and provide holistic support to sustain and empower the incredible work these residents have been doing — and will continue to do — to change our community. For generations, our city’s neighborhoods most impacted by violence have also been impacted by systemic disinvestment. This program will work towards addressing the result of that while also re-investing and elevating these communities’ futures — investing into their safety, opportunities, hopes and joy.”
The Indianapolis Foundation will host multiple information sessions for interested applicants.
- 5:30 p.m. March 24 at Martin University
- 5:30 p.m. March 28 at Martin University
- 10 a.m. March 31 (virtual)
Applications for the Elevation Grant Program will be accepted through May 1. To register, visit elevationgrant.org.
Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.
