Men's Fund Grants Program

The Men’s Fund grant cycle opens in July of each year. At the start of each grant cycle, we send information to local media and an email announcement to nonprofit organizations on our mailing list.

We leave the information on this page year-round as a resource for grant-seekers, but the contents are to be considered current only during the period grants are under review (July - October of each year).

After a meticulous deliberation process that begins with a review of funding requests, the Men's Fund Grant Committee will invite three organizations to present their proposed program or project at the Men's Fund Annual Meeting.  The members will vote to determine the Impact Grant recipient, who will be awarded a grant of $30,000.   The remaining finalist organizations will receive smaller grants. 

The Men's Fund of Vanderburgh County welcomes funding requests from nonprofit organizations  deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and from governmental agencies serving Vanderburgh County. Nonprofit organizations that are not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered provided the proposal is charitable , supports a community need, and meets the criteria described on this page. In such cases, the applicant organization will be required to obtain a fiscal sponsor (see below). Past recipients of the Impact Grant must wait two years before applying again.

Only one application will be considered from an organization.

Additional Considerations for Funding

Proposals can be for either program activities or capital projects that benefit underserved residents of Vanderburgh County.

Consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate:

• Commitment to long-range planning, financial stability, and sustainability
• Sound plans to address ongoing or emerging issues identified by research
• Specific, realistic plans for program or project evaluation
• Desire to promote collaboration among organizations or institutions to prevent duplication of services
• Project methodology utilizing preventative strategies for addressing the issues and solving problems
• Evidence of organizational planning and management

Fiscal Sponsors

Organizations applying for a grant under the auspices of a verified 501(c)(3) public charity acting as a fiscal sponsor are required

to provide a written statement signed by the fiscal sponsor’s board president confirming agreement to receive grant monies

(if awarded), and to oversee the proposed program/project.

To review further information about each funding category, click in the "Program Areas" button below.

• Community Development
• Education
• Health/Mental Health
• Human Services
• Other Civic Endeavors (Arts & Culture, Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development)
• Endowment Creation

Areas Considered For PROJECT Funding

• Capital Projects
• Endowment Creation

To ensure long-term organizational stability, program grants are intended to supplement, not supplant, existing operations, staffing, and initiatives.

• Requests for funding to reduce or retire debt
• Programs or projects which focus solely on the spiritual needs and growth of a church congregation or members of other religious organizations.
• Political parties or campaigns
• Operating costs not directly related to the program/project
• Event sponsorship, annual appeals or membership contributions
• Scholarships or other grants to individuals

Deliberation and Award

The Men’s Fund grant committee will review all applications and select a limited number of proposals for further consideration (semi-finalists). These organizations will be asked to participate in a site visit prior to the committee’s final deliberation. After further review and site visits with each semi-finalist organization, the committee will select three organizations as finalists.

The finalists and will be invited to give an oral presentation of their proposals at the Men’s Fund annual meeting in October. After hearing the presentations, the Men’s Fund membership will cast their votes at the event.  The organization whose proposal receives the majority of votes will be awarded the Men's Fund Impact Grant. Remaining finalists may receive grants in recognition of the depth and quality of their proposals. 

No lobbying or solicitation of Men’s Fund representatives is permitted.

Funded programs and projects must begin within six months of the award and be completed within two years from the date the grant is received.

The Impact Grant will require two reports.  The first report will be due one year after the grant is awarded.  A final report will be required upon project completion or two years after the grant is awarded. Instructions will be provided through the grant agreement. 

The following supporting documents must be electronically attached to the grant application in PDF format.

• Current board roster with professional affiliations
• Organization’s current annual operating budget
• Statement of Financial Position / Balance Sheet (Including the past two years ending on June 30, 2022 and 2023)
• Statement of Activities / Statement of Income & Expenses (Including the current fiscal year to date and two additional columns for the 12-month periods of your prior two fiscal years). 
• Annual Audit Letter or Financial Review Report
• Fiscal sponsor agreement letter (if applicable)
• Proof of Property Ownership (for capital project only)