In 2023, ROW has up to $4,000 (each) available to support implementation of the workplans developed by each of our existing waterway committees. This flexible funding can be used to support events, community programs, or physical projects that are approved by the waterway committees. Committees may submit multiple requests throughout the year so long as the total combined request is no more than $4,000 per committee. Funds must be used by December 15, 2023.

Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) is a Collective Impact initiative in Indianapolis that has worked purposefully since 2012 to improve the quality of life and ecology along Indianapolis waterways and surrounding neighborhoods.

Through our place-based model of authentic community engagement, we work to build capacity to support our partners’ work and to build hyper-local, democratic processes needed to address a wide range of challenges and opportunities in the neighborhoods we work. We do this by cultivating an affiliate network of resident-led, action-oriented change at the neighborhood level.

Our new ROWforward strategic plan seeks to grow this network of neighborhoods beyond the six we’ve supported since our start. The ROWforward Partnership Development Grant program seeks new neighborhood-based partners interested in helping shape our expansion.  Selected groups interested in building a long-term relationship with the ROW partners can receive up to $5,000 in rapid project or event support by committing to help us build, test, and perfect our model for community engagement.

Funding may support a wide variety of activities, including physical projects and community programs or events. All grant-supported activities must be completed by June 15, 2023.

Criteria

Eligible Activities

• Any physical project, community program, or community event that improves the quality of life or ecology in a neighborhood near a waterway.
• This includes activities that address arts and culture, ecology, economics, education, connectivity, and/or health and wellness.
• Examples of projects could include native plantings, invasive plant removal, educational workshops, storytelling signage, community festivals or bike rides, school programs, public art, and many more!
• All activities must be open and accessible to the general public.
• If a physical project, the project will need the approval of a property owner (if on private property) or the City of Indianapolis (if on public property).
• If a physical project, the project should have a plan in place for its continued maintenance, such as watering and weeding plants, replacing mulch, refreshing paint or removing graffiti, etc.

Eligible Areas

• Map of Eligible Areas Here
• The stakeholder group and activities must be within or substantially connected to a neighborhood and waterway within these areas.
• The stakeholder group and activities should not significantly overlap with an existing ROW waterway committee area (shown in eligible areas map)

Eligible Entities

• Any formal or informal group of individuals and partners may apply.
• The group does not need to be incorporated or a legal entity, but it must include a sponsor that is an incorporated entity like a business, non-profit organization, place of worship, or community association that has the ability to accept and track funds.
• The group should include at least two different organizations, businesses, or families.
• The group may include members of an existing waterway committee, but should also include new partners focused on a new area of the waterway.

Grant Amount

• Five to eight awards up to $5,000 will be made.
• No cash match is required.
• ROW may be flexible in how funds are distributed (up front vs reimbursed) depending on the nature of the project and partner, but all expenses must be documented with receipts or invoices.

Timeline

• Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis
• Funds will be available as soon as ROW approves your grant.
• All grant-supported activities must be COMPLETED by June 15, 2023.

Your Commitments

• Interest and willingness to build and sustain a long-term relationship with ROW partners, growing to become an official part of the ROW Collective.
• We need your help developing a model for ROW to grow into new neighborhoods. We’ll ask your group to participate with ROW for up to 12 months and help develop and test ideas related to building a model for organizing a successful community group that is diverse and multi-faceted, resident-led, and action-oriented. This participation could include 3 to 4 in-person or Zoom conversations, reviewing and providing feedback on written materials, and implementing community organizing ideas in your neighborhood. This commitment will not require financial resources but will require time and likely volunteer activities in your neighborhood.
• Responsible stewardship of funds, including full documentation of all expenses with receipts and invoices.
• Reporting to ROW on project outcomes, which may vary by the activity. Examples of outcomes could include number of volunteers, participants, or attendees, length or area of land improved, and counts of things like trash removed, signs installed, information distributed, or rain gardens or barrels installed.

These funding opportunities are made possible through the generous support of Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Central Indiana Community Foundation and the Herbert Simon Family Foundation.