We’ve compiled the following information to assist you with the application process. On this page, you’ll find important definitions, directions, and guidance. Please read this information thoroughly before beginning your application.
If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact IU Foundation Affinity Giving at affingiv@iu.edu.
The following information is intended as a guide for collecting information requested in each section of the grant application.
You may apply for grant funding from one or more Affinity Giving groups through a single online Affinity Giving Grant Application form.
All applicants must be Indiana University students, faculty, or staff, and have an affiliation with an Indiana University department or organization. Applicants must have the vision and capacity to effectively utilize a grant that will be administered through IU’s Financial Management System (FMS). Proposed expenditures must comply with IU purchasing policies. An IU fiscal officer or the Office of Procurement Services should be consulted for questions related to expense approvals. If working with a non-IU entity, please ensure the necessary legal and fiduciary approvals have been obtained through IU.
The BPC works with Indiana University and the IU Foundation (IUF) in formulating programs and policies to enhance engagement and philanthropy in higher education in supporting Black alumni, faculty, staff, students, donors and allies.
The LPC works with Indiana University and the IU Foundation (IUF) to enhance engagement and philanthropy in higher education in supporting IU Latino alumni, faculty, staff, students, donors, and allies.
The QPC works with Indiana University and the Indiana University Foundation (IUF) to enhance engagement and philanthropy for students, staff, faculty, and alumni of various sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+) and their allies. The QPC strives to be a national exemplar in supporting the LGBTQ+ community in higher education and as such is committed to assuring that LGBTQ+ constituencies are unequivocally embraced and supported as full members of the IU community.
Women’s Philanthropy aspires to foster an ecosystem of inclusive philanthropy that creates transformational change for all at Indiana University. By bringing leaders together—providing connections, relationships, learning experiences, and opportunities to give time, talent, and treasure—we catalyze meaningful impact.
Provide applicant information. Tell us who is involved and provide contact information for anyone with oversight of the project.
Include the IU financial account which will be used to manage grant funds, if awarded. The account number will usually begin with the numbers ‘23’. The account will have a name, account number, and possibly a sub-account name. A fiscal officer for your department can provide more information regarding fiscal accounts and sub-accounts.
Important: IU Foundation General Counsel and IU General Counsel will review grant application materials prior to consideration by Affinity Giving. After General Counsel review, Affinity Giving will assign a campus administrator to review and affirm that your project aligns with campus priorities and IU 2030: The Indiana University Strategic Plan initiatives. Campus administrators include chancellor, provost, chief alumni officer and SVP, or IU Foundation president and CEO.
Download and complete the Excel budget template.
It is also important that your Excel budget worksheet items clearly match the funding requested in the application. A budget should justify the amount of money requested and show specifically how it will be used. The itemized downloadable Excel budget template is a required attachment when submitting the application.
List each expense, adding rows as needed.
List specific equipment to be purchased or rented.
List the details. Specify types of printed materials and purpose.
Provide information about other funding amounts for each line item and sources in the Other Sources of Funding section.
Total amount requested and columns 4-6 should align with amounts requested from each Affinity Giving group as stated on the application form.
Your project must demonstrate alignment with Affinity Giving mission statements and IU 2030: Indiana University Strategic Plan. Clearly state how your initiative supports the university’s long-term goals.
Your application should stand out among many. Tell a clear, compelling story that demonstrates the importance and impact of your project.
Tips:
Is this project intended as a ‘proof of concept’ or ‘feasibility’ program? If so, include the following key details in the Project Information and Narrative.
Explain your evaluation plan. Clearly describe how you will evaluate the success of your project and report findings.
Affinity Giving grant funding is limited to one year (following the fiscal year timeframe of July 1–June 30 of the following year) and does not typically support ongoing efforts. Please explain how your project will continue to have an impact beyond the one-year grant funding period.
Projects must be open to all. Describe who will be served by the project. Consider including number of people served, and specify students, faculty, staff, and/or community as the target audience.
Money to purchase land, buildings, equipment, etc. that are used to produce products or provide services.
Financial support from a business, not through a related Foundation.
Costs which relate to the specific project. Examples: contracted faculty for April – May workshops, supplies for the summer camp program.
Equipment to be purchased, or rented, in direct support of the project.
The practicality and likelihood of successfully completing your research or project within the constraints of time, resources, and available methodologies.
Generally, a grant received for specific project support or shared operating support.
Something that a person receives for working in addition to pay, which is not in the form of money. Example: health insurance.
Financial support received from government agencies (Federal, state, county, and city).
Indirect costs, sometimes called overhead or common cost pool, do not relate solely and specifically to a particular project, but are necessary to its completion. Examples: office rent, telephone, etc.
In-Kind contributions comprise donations of professional services or other goods and services. You should not record an In-Kind donation unless you would have to pay for the goods/service if it was not received as “In-Kind”. In-Kind contributions are net-zero (i.e., contribution and expense are equal, so they do not affect the bottom-line net; however, they increase the magnitude of the income and expenses.
Volunteer hours do not qualify to be reported as income under GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). Alternatively, a narrative note in your proposal should describe the role of volunteers and impact of their hours.
Earned income. Examples: Interest, dividends on an endowment.
Includes any IU campus, department, unit, or organization.
The total cost associated with delivering goods or services to customers. The marketing cost may include expenses associated with transferring title of goods to a customer, storing goods in warehouses pending delivery, promoting the goods or services, or the distribution of the product.
Costs of IU staff (full and part-time) assigned to the project comprising actual salaries plus social security charges and other statutory costs included in the remuneration.
The process of gathering evidence to support the feasibility of a project. Project managers perform a POC in the early stages of development before committing too much time and resources to a project. The purpose of a proof of concept is to demonstrate project viability to product teams, clients, and other stakeholders.
Includes all consumable materials purchased in direct support of the project.
Note: Food and swag items are not consistently approved for funding from the WPLC.
Variable costs are usually project oriented and are controllable or adjustable. Examples: number of participants served by a project, number of weeks a project runs, number of exhibitions or concerts, local or international. Semi-variable costs are in between. These must happen, though they can be mitigated somewhat. Examples: color versus black & white for a print job, short-term rental versus purchase of equipment.
The Indiana University Foundation solicits tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of Indiana University and is registered to solicit charitable contributions in all states requiring registration. For more information, please review our full disclosure statement. Alternative accessible formats of documents and files on this site can be obtained upon request by calling us at 800-558-8311.
