IUPUI Community Venture Fund

Through the IUPUI Community Venture Fund, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies can apply for matching funds to support community-based internship programs, research projects, or short-term business assistance efforts. The fund also may permit large organizations to pilot innovative relationships with IUPUI faculty, staff, and students.

Who is eligible?

The Solution Center Community Venture Fund enables business, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to apply for matching-funds in support of community-based internships and projects. Grants are typically less than $5,000, and are matched 1:1 by the partner agency or business.

The Solution Center seeks proposals from organizations and businesses to provide match funding for projects that:

• Prepare students for the real world of work
• Translate academics into practice
• Positively impact the partner organization
• Have the potential to strengthen the community overall
• Address critical and relevant issues, advance the field, and/or represent the opportunity to advance community partnerships

Priority is given to projects that ask students to work on a multi/inter-disciplinary team. All projects require a match from the funded organization.

Students hired with Venture Funds must be currently enrolled, degree seeking, IUPUI students in good standing during the project period.

Community Work-Study is one tool we use to support student work in the community.

Nonprofit organizations seeking to work with IUPUI Work Study-eligible students may contact the Office of Community Work Study prior to completing the Venture Fund proposal form.

What is the Community Venture Fund process?

1. The Solution Center accepts applications for the Community Venture fund on a monthly basis. The application process is approximately 30 days.
2. The community is invited to submit preliminary proposal forms at any time in order to determine the best avenue of assistance available for the project, internship, or request.
3. Organizations who are invited to submit full proposals will do so no later than the first day of each month, or as directed.
4. Following an internal review, the Solution Center board will consider proposals with final decisions made on or about the end of each month.
5. Organizations will be notified by the first week of the month following application of awards.

If approved, the Solution Center will develop a contract, and request the organization to submit the following prior to the distribution of the grant:

If nonprofit:

• Signed Solution Center contract packet (including letter of agreement, student assignment sheet, if appropriate, and IUPUI Vendor Form with W-9)
• Evidence of Work Study eligibility (as appropriate)

If for-profit:

• Signed Solution Center contract packet (including letter of agreement, student assignment sheet, if appropriate, and IUPUI Vendor Form with W-9)

Awards are made within 2-3 weeks after receipt of all contracts and documentation.

How to get started:

Complete and submit the Venture Fund Pre-Proposal. A Solution Center staff member will contact you within 72 hours.