The City of Fishers today announced the Non-Profit Grant Committee’s recommendations for its 2018 Non-Profit Grant Program. The City of Fishers launched the City Council Non-Profit Grant Committee to support non-profit organizations which create a sense of place, public interaction or additional educational opportunities for Fishers residents.   The Non-Profit Grant Committee, comprised of Councilmembers Cecilia Coble, Brad DeReamer, and Pete Peterson, recommended distribution of grant awards to thirteen non-profit groups not to exceed a total of $331,500. To be eligible for the grant award, non-profits submitted proposed project or events via an application and review process conducted by the Committee. All organizations are required to have IRS 501(c)(3) status, be able to quantify the organization’s impact on Fishers residents, and show their ability to provide a financial match to the grant award.   The City Council Non-Profit Committee received twenty-five applications, conducted two follow up interviews, and will present their informal recommendation during the Finance Committee meeting on August 30 for consideration as part of the 2018 City Budget. The City Budget will be considered by the full City Council during itsSeptember 18 meeting with the final budget approval to occur at the October 16City Council meeting. Nonprofit grant funds will be distributed in January 2018.   The Committee recommends the following organizations be awarded for the 2018 Non-Profit Grant Program:

• Advocates for Children and Families, dba Cherish
• Ascent 121
• Conner Prairie Museum, Inc.
• Geist Half Marathon
• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc.
• Hamilton County Leadership Academy
• Hamilton County Youth Assistance
• Hamilton Southeastern School Foundation
• Hope Academy
• Janus Developmental Services
• Nickel Plate Arts
• Spaceport Exploration
• YMI

All grant applications were scored under the following guidelines:

• Maximum grant amount for each project or event will be $100,000.
• Depending on grant amount and/or percentage of the total project or event budget is provided by the grant, a board appointment for one Council member may be required.
• Organization should establish need for grant for the project or event.
• Organization should demonstrate overall community enhancement and impact in Fishers.
• Quarterly accounting provided by the Organization to City Council Non-Profit Committee.
• Organization should demonstrate financial responsibility and management qualifications.
• Organization should provide the commitment, capacity and ability of the Organization to carry out the project or event.