+ Deadlines

BRCF conducts one competitive community grant cycle each year:

INTEREST FORM DEADLINE: March 1

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1

Grant requests must be received at the Foundation office no later than 5 p.m. on the deadline date. Applicants will be notified of the Foundation’s decisions within 60 days of the deadline date.

+ Application procedure

Blue River Community Foundation is a catalyst for igniting action to improve the quality of life in Shelby County.

Blue River Community Foundation, Inc. is a community-based philanthropic organization that identifies, promotes, supports and manages programs that will enhance the quality of life in Shelby County for this generation and future generations. More specifically, we are focused on attracting new residents and retaining our current residents who contribute positively to our community through engagement, skills, talent and commonly held desires for educational excellence, opportunities, inclusion, and a better quality of life. We favor projects that help our young to envision a future here, our current residents to want to stay and grow here, and those that have left to desire returning home. We strive to support organizations that can help us achieve these goals through programs in the following areas of interest: community and civic programs, arts and culture, education, health and social services.

Step #1- Review our granting guidelines

Click the button below to learn more about our granting guidelines before applying. Once you have reviewed the document and feel that your project falls under Blue River Community Foundation guidelines, proceed to step #2.

Step #2 - Grant Interest Form

All potential grantees must first fill out a Grant Interest Form before receiving a link to our online application. A grant interest form gives our staff some basic information about your requests and allows us to ask questions before giving your organization access to the application. This can save both us and the applicant time if we can determine early that the potential project or program is not a favorable request.

Step #3 - The Wait!

Staff will review the submitted grant request form and determine its eligibility. The applicant will be notified within 5 business days with any questions we may have. A link to access our online application will be provided if approved.

Sept #4 - Filling Out the Application

Upon receiving access to the online application, the applicant will be prompted to set up a username and password. Be sure to remember this information-we will not have access to your password.
All information, quotes and other supporting documentation will be submitted through this online program. Please be sure you are aware of the cycle’s deadline and have the application completed by this date. Applicants will be notified by email when the cycle has concluded and all applications have been reviewed and scored.