2025 Program Grants:
Program Grant – are annual grants that are directed to support specific programs that meet FEC priorities. Programs must have a definitive plan with measurable outcomes and must have an operational plan that demonstrates potential for success.
- Applications available on-line beginning October 7, 2024.
- Applications are due November 4, 2024.
- An application received after the deadline will be ineligible for funding.
- Award announcements will be released middle of December 2024.
FEC WILL CONSIDER equipment, software, along with additional program expenses only if these items pertain to the implementation of this program. A detailed explanation is required for each item. If requesting equipment, you are required to provide two quotes.
| CONSIDERED EXPENDITURES | FEC WILL NOT FUND THE FOLLOWING |
|---|---|
| Equipment (pertaining to program) - must provide two quotes | Speaker Fees |
| Software (pertaining to program) | Conferences |
| Additional program expenses ONLY IF THESE ITEMS PERTAIN TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROGRAM –A DETAILED EXPLANATION IS REQUIRED! |
Funds to obtain a 501 (c) 3 |
| Landscaping | |
| Marquees | |
| Membership Fees | |
| Storage Rental | |
| Home Office | |
| Billboards/Advertising/Flyers/Newspapers/Radio or any other form of advertising |
|
| Furniture | |
| Utilities | |
| Lease | |
| Mortgage payments | |
| Landlines and Cellphones | |
| Web maintenance and Internet | |
| Chaperone expenses | |
| Food and Gas cards |
2025 Program Grant Handouts
Please review the following documents before accessing any of the 2025 program grant information.
The program grant cycle is very competitive process. Please fill out the application form completely and accurately. Don’t forget to attach all the required documentation.
Applications submitted without the required attachments/documents will be automatically denied.
Applications not filled out completely (i.e., narratives not corresponding to the program’s budget: an incomplete or incorrect budget, unanswered questions, incorrect contact information, etc.) will be considered incomplete and automatically denied.
All organizations must submit their 2023 and 2024 Organization’s Operating Budget. You can modify this form to meet your needs.
Or you can use your own 2023 and 2024 Operating Budget already approved by your Board of Directors.
All organizations must submit a 2025 Program Grant Budget.
2025 Program Grant Information
Questions related to any grant processes and procedures can be addressed to Janet Wozniak, jwozniak@foundationsec.org or Raquel Avila, ravila@foundationsec.org.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
- If awarded all funds must be used between: February 1, 2025- November 30, 2025. All expenditures must be supported by financial documentation.
Maximum of one submission per 501 (c) (3).
Eligibility Requirements
- A recognized 501 (c)(3) agency in good standing with the IRS and registered in the state of Indiana.
- In good standing with the Foundations of East Chicago.
Applications not meeting all of the above-listed criteria are automatically denied.
Important Things to Know
This is a very competitive process. All information and attachments must be properly entered and submitted by the deadline date. Failure to comply could disqualify the application.
If your program will take place within any of the East Chicago Schools or clubs, current MOU (memorandum of understanding) or letter of approval from the Principal/Superintendent or lead administrator must accompany the application.
Along with the application you must submit your organization’s 2023 and 2024 Organizational Operating Budget and the 2025 Program Budget.
- The Organization’s Operating Budget is the financial statement that is submitted annually for approval by the nonprofit organization's Board of Directors. It is a projection of Income and Expenses for the organization's fiscal year.
- The Program Budget calculates the resources required to carry out the program or project which is being proposed for funding.
Please note that your Organization’s Operating budget should include all income and expenses including grant revenue received from the Foundations of East Chicago or any other entity.
The Program Budget section is the backbone of the grant proposal. Some grant reviewers turn right to the budget before even reading the proposal to see what the money will be used for. Program activities must drive the budget. The program narrative should match the budget perfectly. There should be no “surprises” in a budget; cost estimates should be credible and realistic; inflated budgets will damage your credibility with the grant reviewer; the use of the word “Miscellaneous” or “Etc.” in the line-item description is not accepted.
In-kind contributions are goods and services that are provided at no cost to the organizations. In-kind contributions can include salaried staff time, volunteer hours, office space, use of equipment for administrative or programmatic purposes, and materials donated (e.g., for publicity or evaluation). In-kind goods and services are typically goods and services that your organization would have to otherwise buy if they had not been donated. Applicants should determine the fair market value of these contributions and include them in the program grant budget.
The maximum allowed for Administration, stipends, contractors, consultants, instructor fees, aides and assistants cannot exceed 30% of the total grant award. Names of individuals providing services and their credentials must be included in the line-item description.
2024 Program Grant
The Foundations of East Chicago (FEC) is proud to announce $376,947.00, in grant funding to local nonprofits that are making a difference in our community. Grant recipients were selected based on applications submitted during the program grant round that supports at least one of FEC’s focus areas: education/job training, health & safety, and community enrichment.
This was a competitive selection process. The 2024 grant awards best reflect the vision and mission of FEC focus on enriching the lives of East Chicago residents of all ages.
Agencies selected addressed a broad range of community needs including education, job training, resources for food and shelter and healthy living. We encourage everyone to join us in supporting these grantees as they strive to be effective in our community.
The Foundations of East Chicago awarded grants to the following organizations:
Education & Job Training –
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, Inc. – Boys & Girls Club of East Chicago – Youth STEM Programming. This program will target boys and girls between the ages of five and 18 years old. Everyday a new age-appropriate activity will be administered by the STEM Coordinator to three age cohorts for one hour each. Activities can include food chemistry, science of sports, digital literacy, computer science and media making. For additional information, please contact Ashley Luptak at 219-764-2582 or by email at aluptak@bgcgreaternwi.org. Or visit their website at http://bgcgreaternwi.org
Chicagoland Immigrant Welcome Network – Immigration – Know Your Rights East Chicago Resident Consultations. Educational awareness workshops will be offered without cost to the attendees. This program will enable attendees to understand their Immigration Rights. They will be provided answers to their questions on their immigrant status. For additional information, please contact Diana Gilbert at 219-671-8308 or by email at diana@thewelcomenet.org. Or visit their website at http://www.thewelcomenet.org
Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, Inc. – Environmental STEM Education for East Chicago Elementary Students. This program will bring learning outside, engage East Chicago students in grades K-6th to improve school performance, cultivate a stewardship ethic, and create pathways to pursue educational and career opportunities in science and the outdoors. For additional information, please contact Michelle Krueger at 219-682-8956 or by email at mkrueger@duneslearningcenter.org. Or visit their website at http://DunesLearningCenter.org.
Mental Health America of Lake County, Inc. – Ready to Soar East Chicago. Is based out of the Carrie Gosch Early Learning center and is a school readiness and transition program for incoming kindergarten children, their parents, and their schools, offering both school and home-based services. Services are free and run from September through June each school year. For additional information, please contact Kimberly Smith at 219-671-1579 or by email at ksmith@mhanwi.org. Or visit their website at http://www.mhanwi.org
Mission of Jesus Christ Non-Denominational Church – Alternatives to Bridging the Gap. Alternatives has four major components: “Summer School,” “Garden,” “Always Promoting Promise,” and “Hopes and Dreams.” For additional information, please contact Eric Dahl at 219-677-2810 or by email at dahlehudson@att.net.
Paying it Forward, Inc. – Paying it Forward Resource Center. This program will give people a hand up during a challenging time. Participants can come and use computers to apply for support, resume building, career workshops to name a few. For additional information, please contact Tammy Longoria at 219-318-3122 or by email at info@payingitforwardnwi.com. Or visit their website at www.payingitforwardnwi.com.
Teens in Action, Inc.– Math, Writing and Higher Education. This organization offers the following three programs: math camp that is designed to develop a love for math; second is Ready to Literacy to enhance reading skills by engaging them in authoring their own book, and lastly, taking participants on a college tour focusing on historically Black colleges. For additional information, please contact Bridgette Spann at 219-397-5117 or by email at teens3@teensinactioninc.org.
The New Twin City Ministerial Alliance, Inc. – Youth Empowerment Project (YEP). YEP, is a summer work-based program to prepare young adults for the post-secondary education world. Participants will work in jobs over 10 weeks in the summer as determined by their supervisors. Each student will earn $7.00 per hour, half they receive in a paycheck the other half will be deposited in a savings account. Participants are required to attend a weekly workshop that may deal with proper banking practices, how to maintain proper credit scores, balancing a checkbook, how to apply for scholarships as well as apprenticeship opportunities along with other topics that address life skills. For additional information, please contact Pastor T. Brian Hill at 219-741-6322 or by email at tbrianhill@sbcglobal.net.
Health & Safety –
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary, Inc. – Safe Haven: Homeless Prevention. This program addresses concerns of homeless prevention and family unity for the city and the residents of East Chicago. The objective is to keep families in their homes and unified to avoid homelessness. For additional information, please contact LaShawn Jones-Taylor at 219-886-3549 or by email at ljtaylor@catholic-charities.org. Or visit their website at http://www.catholic-charities.org.
East Chicago Citizens Police Academy, Inc. – East Chicago Citizens Police Academy. This is an outreach program to assist in bridging the gap between citizens and the police department. The intention is to focus on public safety through education while creating dialogue between the community and local law enforcement. For additional information, please contact George Cossey at 219-516-2134 or by email at gcossey@eastchicago.com.
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana – Girl Scouts in East Chicago: Staff-Facilitated Troop. Healthy living is a key component of Girl Scouts East Chicago, which is an after-school program that puts at-risk girls on the path to a positive future. Their program is designed around the following four pillars: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. For additional information, please contact Nico Wood Kos at 312-912-6370 or by email at nwoodkos@girlscoutsgcnwi.org. Or visit their website at http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org
Grace Beyond Borders NWI, Inc. – Ready Life – Ending Homelessness. This program consists of three modules – Outreach, Case Management, and In-house and off-site Life Skills small group meetings. For additional information, please contact Marcus Martin at 219-712-5192 or by email at Marcusm@gracebeyondborders.org. Or visit their website at http://www.gracebeyondborders.org.
Haven House, Inc. – Haven House Shelter and Life Skills Programming. They provide temporary, emergency shelter and essentials for daily living for domestic violence survivors and their children. Life Skill groups provide education and information meant to empower the survivor and their children. For additional information, please contact Candace Jorden at 219-931-2090 or by email at candacejorden@gmail.com. Or visit their website at http://www.havenhousedvs.org.
HealthLinc, Inc. – HealthLinc Food as Medicine. Providers prescribe medically tailored foods that will address the patient’s health concerns. Staff will work with the patient to acquire their food, cooking supplies, and health journey packet. For additional information, please contact Madeleine Grimm at 888-580-1060 or by email at mgrimm@healthlincchc.org. Or visit their website at http://healthlincchc.org.
St. Catherine Hospital, Inc. – Hospital Readmission Prevention Program. This program will provide education, transportation, and medication to the patient at the time of discharge. For additional information, please contact Julie Latta at 219-392-7116 or by email at Julie.M.Latta@comhs.org. Or visit their website at http://www.comhs.org.
St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church – Food Pantry. Their Food Pantry Ministry provides a monthly or as-needed food/grocery distribution to East Chicago residents. The pantry is open on the third Saturday of each month. For additional information, please contact Jo Anne McDonald at 219-662-8894 or by email at jjam0612@aol.com.
St. Patrick Catholic Church –Funds will be used to start and maintain a soup kitchen. St. Pat’s and St. John the Evangelist (SJE) parishes have formed a partnership to start feeding 75 East Chicago residents on the first Saturday of each month. For additional information, please contact Sylvia Galvan at 219-398-1036 or by email at co.spc@live.com.
The Salvation Army – Community Meal Program and Food Pantry Support. Community meals are available Monday – Friday from noon – 1:00 p.m. The Food Pantry is open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. For additional information, please contact Amanda Maynard at 219-838-0380 or by email at amanda.maynard@usc.salvationarmy.org. Or visit their website at http://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/eastchicago
Community Enrichment
Bishop Noll Institute – Summer Enrichment Program. This program offers educational opportunities for children from 4th through 8th graders from East Chicago. Children who participate are placed into the age or ability group to best support their development in Athletics, or the Fine Arts. For additional information, please contact Ryan Julian at 219-932-9058 or by email at RJulian@BishopNoll.org. Or visit their website at http://bishopnoll.org.
East Chicago Public Library – Amazing Experiences Begin at Your Library. This program offers 1,379 yearlong exciting programs designed to celebrate diversity and cultural awareness through literacy-based initiatives for children and adults. For additional information, please contact Latonya Hicks at 219-397-2453 or by email at lhicks@ecpl.org. Or visit their website at http://www.ecpl.org
Grace Missionary Baptist Church of East Chicago, Inc. – Grace Family Rebuilding Communities Together. Grace computer class with Family/Community Support consists of up to four computer lab classes. Classes currently meet weekly between April 2024 to March 2025. Community support meetings will meet at least twice monthly on-site and outside trips. For additional information, please contact Renee Brown at 219-588-9565 or by email at cls01rrb@gmail.com. Or visit their website at http://www.graceofec.com.
Humane Indiana, Inc. – Extending Humane Indiana Wildlife Programs. This program aims to provide an exciting and accessible platform for children and families to connect with wildlife, fostering a sense of curiosity and environmental awareness. For additional information, please contact Christina Moore at 219-513-8911 or by email at cmoore@humaneindiana.org. Or visit their website at http://www.humaneindiana.org/
Top 20, Inc. – Top 20 II Dance and Mentoring Program. This program is designed to prepare school-aged students to make constructive life choices and empower them to become productive members of society. It has four components: Dance, Mentoring, Community Service and Field Trips. For additional information, please contact Carolyn Upshaw-Royal at 517-349-1312 or by email at upshawroyal@aol.com. Or visit their website at http://www.top20inc.org.
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