Summer Youth Program Fund

about the summer youth program fund

Every year, grants from the Summer Youth Program Fund support hundreds of free or low-cost enrichment programs for Marion County youth ages 4 to 24 known collectively as Indy Summer Youth Programs.

  • SYPF serves approximately 50,000 Marion County youth every year—that’s about 19% of all Marion Co. residents aged 4 to 24!
  • $60 million in funds granted since 1995
  • 240 programs funded for 2024

Whether you’re currently a grant-seeker, a grantee, or a funder, SYPF makes things easier every step of the way thanks to a collaborative philanthropic process:

  • Youth-serving groups apply just once a year to access 10 different potential funders, including some of Central Indiana’s largest philanthropies.
  • Those funders collaborate to fulfill as many requests as possible. In fact, most qualified applicants receive some level of funding.
  • Funders review these applications and choose which ones to support. And they can be assured their grant has made a positive impact thanks to a Final Report that each awardee prepares at the end of the season.

Watch this video to learn more about the Summer Youth Program Fund.

 

apply for summer 2025

CICF uses SmartSimple for its Summer Youth Program Fund application process. This guide walks you through the process of setting up an account. For additional technical assistance, contact GrantSupport@cicf.org. To start an application, click here. Applications for summer 2025 will be accepted Monday, August 19 through Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 at 1 p.m.

If you have questions about your application or SmartSimple, use the following resources:

If you need further information, please contact Indianapolis Foundation Community Leadership Officer Leah Nahmias at LeahN@cicf.org.

To receive annual notifications for the opening of the grant cycle, register here.

Timeline for 2025 grantees

IMPORTANT DATE ACTIVITY
Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, 8 a.m.Application for 2025 funding opens
Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.Orientation
Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at 1 p.m.Completed applications for 2024 funding must be submitted by 1 p.m.
Week of Feb. 3-7, 2025Applicants notified
May – August 2025Summer youth programs take place
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, 5 p.m.Final reports for 2024 programs due by 5 p.m.

AVAILABLE GRANTS 

PROGRAM GRANTS

Program Grants can support costs such as staffing, program materials, healthy meals/ snacks, scholarships to lower registration costs, and more. Eligible organizations will be tax-exempt or have a fiscal sponsor.

CAPITAL GRANTS

The Lilly Endowment, Inc. makes special grants available for modest capital equipment purchases and projects.

Final Reporting

  • Final reports for 2024 programs will be due Monday, September 30, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  • Final reports are assigned in and must be submitted via Smart Simple.
  • This video overviews how to access and complete your Summer Youth Program Fund final report in Smart Simple.
  • All grantees are required to sign and upload a document certifying that all information in the final report, including financial information, is complete. Download and sign the form here. (Note: be sure to download and save the PDF before completing it. If you complete it before downloading and saving, you will lose your work.
  • For technical assistance with accessing or using Smart Simple, contact GrantSupport@cicf.org. All other questions should be sent to Leah Nahmias at LeahN@cicf.org.

summer youth program fund partners