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 50,000 Indianapolis youth every year—about 19% of all the city's residents aged 4 to 24
- $60 million in funds granted since 1995
- 240 programs funded for 2024
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.
Apply for Summer 2026 SYPF
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. Applications for summer 2026 will be accepted Monday, August 18 through Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 at 4 p.m.
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
- SYPF Orientation Slides
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 Jenny Menelas.
Available Grants
Program Grants
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.
Capital Grants
The Lilly Endowment, Inc. makes special grants available for modest capital equipment purchases and projects.
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 Reporting
- Final reports for 2025 programs will be due Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 at 5 p.m.
- Final reports are assigned in and must be submitted via Smart Simple.
- This video overviews how to access and complete your Summer Youth Program Fund final report in Smart Simple.
- All grantees are required to sign and upload a document certifying that all information in the final report, including financial information, is complete. Download and sign the form here. (Note: be sure to download and save the PDF before completing it. If you complete it before downloading and saving, you will lose your work.
For technical assistance with accessing or using Smart Simple, email Grant Support. All other questions should be directed to Community Leadership Officer Jenny Menelas.
Summer Youth Program Fund Partners
- Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation
- Anonymous local family foundation
- City of Indianapolis
- Cummins
- IndyStar Season for Sharing
- Lilly Endowment Inc.
- Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
- The Clowes Fund Inc.
- The Indianapolis Foundation
- The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund
Questions?
If you have questions about Indy Summer Youth Program funding, please email IF Community Leadership Officer Jenny Menelas. For technical assistance with the Smart Simple application, email our Grant Support team.