Addressing the
Root Causes
of Violent Crime.
Empowering
Communities. Addressing the
Root Causes
of Violent Crime.
Empowering
Communities.

With supporting funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the grant program was able to distribute five times more money to community organizations than the previous year. The desired outcomes of the Elevation Grant Program are the following: addressing the numerous root causes of violent crime, increasing resident-led solutions (community building), discovering new innovative efforts, investing in infrastructure development for grassroots organizations, and ensuring that hope, abundance, peace, resilience, and safety are expressed and elevated.

The grant program focuses part of its investment pipeline on grassroots organizations, prioritizing those led by residents of the communities they serve. The program defines a grassroots organization as a resident-led organization/entity operating under community values, shared power and decision making, and supported by an organizational budget of up to $250,000.

Timelines

Round 5
April 30, 2025: Final grant reports due

Round 6
April 7, 2025: On-site visits and six-month progress report due
April 25, 2025: Grant final payment
July 7, 2025: Nine-month progress report due
Sept. 30, 2025: Grant cycle period ends
Oct. 31, 2025: Final grant reports due

Priorities for Round Six

The grant program will give priority to organizations that clearly demonstrate immediate intentionality around violence reduction and support programs using evidence-based violence reduction programming or promising strategies that, in addition, elevate the assets, aspirations, hope, and improve the safety of neighborhoods impacted by violence:

• Are place-based efforts designed to promote neighborhood safety and reduce or prevent crime in a specific geographical area as defined by a neighborhood and/or community.
• Led by engaged and mobilized residents and community leaders.
• Focus their efforts on providing supportive services (such as employment, education, mentoring, recreation, mental health supports, and family support services) to youth and young adults who face unique challenges and may have a higher likelihood of community disengagement without the proper intervention strategies.
• Provide supports to youth (16-24) and young adults (24-35) currently interacting with the criminal legal system to community-based services to build the necessary infrastructure to prevent violent crimes in Indianapolis with wrap-around services.
• Focus on individuals most at-risk of violent victimization or perpetration of violent acts (previously shot/known gun activity, close friend/family member shot in last 12 months), providing 24/7 crisis response services and supports for the priority population, ages of 18-35.
• Partner with public agencies in collaboration (The Office of Public Health & Safety, the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, law enforcement, courts, probation, and parole) to help prevent crime in our community.

Geographic Restriction

Marion County

Interest Areas

Thriving Neighborhoods
Empowered Youth/Young Adult
Restoration and Resilience
Justice-Involved Supports
Intervention

Priority Population

Individuals meeting the criteria below:

• Individuals most at-risk of violent victimization or perpetration of violent acts (previously shot/known gun activity, close friend/family member shot in last 12 months), referring to pro-social & supported grassroots and community-based organizations.
• Individuals with multiple interactions with the criminal legal system and unemployed, underemployed, and/or without a high school diploma or HSE/GED.

Grant Award Amount

$20,000 - $250,000

Other Important Information

• Organizations may apply to multiple program interest areas and are required to submit an application per each interest area.
• Organizations that are start-ups and/or pilot programs may be considered for infrastructure development support.
• Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) public charity or an individual or entity with an appropriate 501(c)(3) public charity serving as a fiscal sponsor. Applicant must be located in Marion County, Indiana and serve residents in Marion County, Indiana.
• With respect to fiscal sponsorship, a 501(c)(3) public charity may serve as a fiscal sponsor for a for-profit organization, an unincorporated association, or an individual operating with a charitable purpose but without a 501(c)(3). A 501(c)(3) public charity may also serve as a fiscal sponsor for a grassroots 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

What the Elevation Grant Program Does NOT Fund

• Organizations that are NOT tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) Public Charity of the Internal Revenue Code
• Grants or payments to individuals
• Projects aimed at promoting a particular religion or construction projects for religious institutions. Religious organizations may apply but not require their clients to be a member of their church or conform to their beliefs.
• Operating, program and construction costs at schools, universities and private academies unless there is significant opportunity for community use or collaboration
• Organizations or projects that discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation
• Political campaigns or direct lobbying efforts by 501(c)(3) organizations
• Post-events, after-the-fact situations or debt retirement
• Medical, scientific or academic research
• Publications, films, audiovisual and media materials, programs produced for artistic purposes or produced for resale
• Travel for bands, sports teams, classes and similar groups
• Annual appeals, galas or membership contributions
• Fundraising events such as golf tournaments, walk-a-thons and fashion shows