2026 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 online beginning October 6, 2025.
- Applications are due November 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CST.
- An application received after the deadline will be ineligible for funding.
- Award announcements will be released in the middle of December 2025.
PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
The 2025 Program Grant round is now closed.
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.
2025 Program Grant
The Foundations of East Chicago (FEC) is proud to announce $316,543.00, 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 2025 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 –
Chicagoland Immigrant Welcome Network – Know Your Rights East Chicago Resident Workshops and 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://https://www.thewelcomenet.org.
Communities In Schools of East Chicago Incorporated – Integrated Student Supports / Support students in grades 3-12 within the School City of East Chicago who are facing challenges such as chronic absenteeism, low-academic performance, disengagement from school, and behavior issues. This program aims to improve academic achievement, foster character development, promote social-emotional growth and provide necessities to support students’ everyday needs and contribute to their overall success. For additional information, please contact Patricia Simes at 219-378-9114 or by email at t.johnson@cisoflc.org. Or visit their website at www.cislakecounty.org.
Grace Beyond Borders NWI, Inc. – Real Change Not Spare Change. This program consists of three modules – Outreach, Case Management, and Life Skills and Recovery meetings. For additional information, please contact Marcus Martin at 219-392-9932 or by email at Marcusm@gracebeyondborders.org. Or visit their website at http://www.gracebeyondborders.org.
Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, Inc. – Field-Based Environmental Science: Connecting Learning to Students’ Lives. This program strives to reach every East Chicago student in grades K-6 with a combination of outreach education in the classroom, field investigation in the community and overnight adventure in the National Park. 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 – School Readiness Academy. This program 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.
Teens in Action, Inc.– Math, Reading and Educational Tour. This organization offers the following three programs: math camp that is designed to develop an understanding of math; second is Reading 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 $8.00 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 Reverend Willie Johnson at 219-670-4693 or by email at revwillie123@yahoo.com.
Trustees of Purdue University – Dream to Degree: College Prep and Leadership Camp. This is a transformative four-day program geared towards high school juniors from diverse and underserved communities eager for a college education. Students will explore various college and career paths, while acquiring critical academic and life skills. For additional information, please contact Ms. Iris Sanchez at 219-989-1235 or by email at iris.sanchez@pnw.edu. Or visit their website at www.pnw.edu
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.
HealthLinc, Inc. – Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer. This program will assist low-income, uninsured patients in obtaining vital screenings and care. HealthLinc provides free screening test kits to adults aged 45-75 years old. If a screening result returns positive, the patient is referred for a colonoscopy. 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.
Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, Inc. – Meals for East Chicago Neighbors. This program is available to low-income elderly and other vulnerable individuals who need healthy meal delivery to ensure proper nutrition due to limitations in shopping for and preparing meals, and who rely on a wellness check and friendly visit to provide social interaction. For additional information, please contact Ms. Jessica Denny at 219-756-3663 or by email at jessica@mownwi.org. Or visit their website at www.mownwi.org.
Paying it Forward, Inc. – Warm Heart Community Meals. The intent of this program is to provide warm heart meals to one hundred plus individuals in the East Chicago community per week as well as providing additional resources. 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.
Safe Coalition for Human Rights – Safety and Healing for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Sex Trafficking. This program will provide the basic needs of food, shelter and safety to those individuals who have been sexual assaulted, and sex trafficked. For additional information, please contact Dr. Kalyani Gopal at 219-513-8508 or by email at drgopal@safechr.org. Or visit their website at https://safechr.org.
Community Enrichment -
Bishop Noll Institute – Summer Enrichment Program 2025. This camp offers an educational program centered around Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The camp is a three-week hands-on camp for students who range from K-8th grade and are interested in STEM activities. 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.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, Inc. – BGC BAND: Out of School Time Teen Engagement through Music Education. Club Kids at the East Chicago Katherine House Boys & Girls Club in grades 6th-12th will have the opportunity to gain experience of how to play musical instruments. This program will offer two cohorts of ten teenagers each, a four-month ten session introduction to drums, guitar, piano and trombone. For additional information, please contact Ashley Luptak at 219-764-2582 or by email at aluptak@bgcgreaternwi.org. Or visit their website at http;//www.bgcgreaternwi.org.
Grace Missionary Baptist Church of East Chicago, Inc. – Grace Building Communities Together. Part 1: Grace computer class with Family/Community Support consists of up to four computer lab classes. Part 2: 42 weekly Building Together classes. Part 3: Events and Outings. 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.
The Salvation Army – Starting a Children’s Archery Program. This new program aims to engage kids in grades 4-12 from East Chicago in a skill-based, disciplined sport that builds focus, confidence, and physical coordination. 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
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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