The Library Fund was established in 1989 as a field-of-interest fund of the Indianapolis Foundation. An anonymous donor to the foundation established funds to benefit public, academic, and high school libraries in Marion County.
Libraries eligible to apply to The Library Fund include the Indianapolis Public Library; libraries at IU Indianapolis, Purdue University in Indianapolis, Marian University, University of Indianapolis; and any Marion County high school library.
The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund has three primary grant programs—Competitive Grants, Media Center Enhancement Grants, and Minde Browning Professional Development Fund Grants.
The Library Fund accepts general applications twice a year to support innovative programs that are aligned with The Library Fund priorities below, the Indianapolis Foundation’s strategic plan, and the degree to which the organization is equity-driven.
Questions should be directed to IF Senior Community Leadership Officer Jamie Valentine.
Click to navigate to the following funds:
Library Fund Competitive Grant
Alignment
The Library Fund will preference libraries and programs that:
- Increase literacy, information literacy, statistical and data literacy, and/or information access and library use.
- Support efforts that address and seek to eliminate disparities in library access or services. Disparities in access may be the result of race, ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTQ+ identity, language spoken, age, or other marginalized identity.
- Serve high percentages of underappreciated, marginalized populations with quality, comprehensive programming with a sharpened focus on outcomes.
- Take an innovative approach to programming or the role of the library in the community.
- Are designed with and endorsed by the community and/or target population served by the program.
- Include an evaluation mechanism for the community and/or target population served to inform programming design and delivery.
The Library Fund Advisory Committee
The Library Fund Advisory Committee consists of 6-8 librarians from public, university, and high school libraries in Marion County. Members of the Advisory Committee will review all applications and assess them according to alignment with the priorities above and The Library Fund Rubric.
Example Programs
- Reading program for neurodivergent youth that require specific technology to read materials.
- Bilingual story times for families that require purchasing books in multiple languages.
- Digitization projects that make archival collections about Indianapolis history accessible and relevant.
- Creation of a gaming lab or makers space within a high school library.
- A series of author visits, including speaker fees and travel.
- A school wide read that invites community members to take part, including books and honoraria for discussion leaders.
- Training and transportation costs for high school or college students to serve as reading buddies for a nearby elementary school.
Funding Restriction
- The Library Fund grants support innovative programs, not general operating costs or capital expenses (including furniture).
- Technology requests can be supported if they are directly connected to the proposed program. See below for examples of allowable and non-allowable technology expenses.
Examples of allowable and non-allowable technology requests:
Allowable
- Specialized equipment (3D printers, podcasting equipment, etc.) for a makers space
- Specialized equipment (scanners, cameras, etc.) or software for a digitization project
- Equipment or software to increase access to collections for individuals with visual, auditory or other impairments
Non-allowable
- General use computers, televisions, printers, etc., to support general library operations
- Sets of laptops for classroom use
- Charging carts
- Teleconference equipment or software for the meeting room
- Charging stations
Grant Award
- The Library Fund will consider one-year or two-year grant requests.
- Requests may be up to $150,000 a year.
Grantmaking Schedule
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through CICF’s Smart Simple platform. To begin, log into Smart Simple and select the correct call for proposals. The Smart Simple 101 Guide can walk you through the steps of creating or accessing your Smart Simple account.
High School Media Center Enhancement Grants
Media Center Enhancement Grants are for high school libraries to improve collections, technology, and access to resources for high school students. There is one grant deadline per year.
Alignment
The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund Media Center Enhancement Grants support:
- Acquisition of up-to-date print and electronic materials that support the teaching of the curriculum
- Acquisition of up-to-date materials to support collaboration in teaching and learning
- Acquisition of high interest reading materials to encourage leisure reading and/or to reach students with special literacy needs
- Acquisition of up-to-date library media center technology to support teaching and learning
Example Requests
- The acquisition of new materials in multiple languages, e-books, audiobooks, and large print books
- Additional fiction books for summer reading program
- Additional books with representation of diverse characters and inclusive stories/histories
- The addition of new equipment for podcasting, video production, and STEM kits for checkout
- The acquisition of new materials to encourage reading for pleasure to meet an increased student interest in a particular type of reading (e.g. MANGA and graphic novels)
- The acquisition of items for makers spaces
Funding Restriction
Any Marion County high school media center or library with at least one full-time media specialist is eligible for Media Center Enhancement grants. Please note that “full-time” means assigned to the media center full-time. The proposed development of your school’s collections must have proper oversight in the implementation and use of funds.
Grant funds MAY NOT be used for consumables; periodical or database subscription renewals; events or field trips; department or classroom-housed objects such as maps, manipulatives, or lab equipment; classroom book sets; furniture or salaries. Grant funds should supplement, not replace, school or district-allocated library funds.
Technology requests can be supported if they are directly connected to the proposed program.
Examples of allowable and non-allowable technology requests:
Allowable
- Specialized equipment (3D printers, podcasting equipment, etc.) for a maker’s space
- Specialized equipment (scanners, cameras, etc.) or software for a digitization project
- Equipment or software to increase access to collections for individuals with visual, auditory or other impairments
Non-allowable
- General use computers, televisions, printers, etc., to support general library operations
- Sets of laptops for classroom use
- Charging carts
- Teleconference equipment or software for meeting room
- Charging stations
Grant Award
Awards can range from $4,500 to $14,500 based on high school enrollment, the percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch, the percentage of students of color, and the outcomes of the proposed request.
Grantmaking Schedule
This grant opportunity has closed for 2025. Dates for 2026 will be announced later this fall.
Resources
Contact
Questions should be directed to Jamie Valentine, IF Senior Community Leadership Officer.
Minde Browning Professional Development Fund Grants
The Minde Browning Fund provides professional development grants to staff serving in any eligible Marion County library. The Indianapolis Foundation and local donors established this endowed fund in 1999 as a tribute to Minde Glenn Browning, the former assistant director at the IU School of Law—Indianapolis Law Library and chair of the Library Fund Steering Committee.
Alignment
Funds may be used to cover the cost of registration, materials, travel, and lodging to attend professional conferences and workshops, professional coursework, leadership development programs, and group programs related to libraries, media centers, etc. Applicants must be able to articulate how the professional development activity will further their own professional development and benefit library patrons and/or the larger community.
Example Requests
- Attending a conference in library science
- Travel to experience a museum exhibit relevant to the library's role
- Attending the diversity in library practice event
Funding Restriction
Individuals can receive one Minde Browning Professional Development Grant a year. If you received a Minde Browning Professional Development Grant the year prior, a report is required for eligibility in the current year.
Grant Award
Up to $1,500
Grantmaking Schedule
Minde Browning applications are accepted throughout the year, with decisions made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please submit the request at least 60 days prior to the start of the activity that the grant request will fund.
Resources
- Minde Browning Professional Development Fund Application
- Minde Browning Professional Development Fund Report Form
Contact
Questions should be directed to Jamie Valentine, IF Senior Community Leadership Officer.