IUPUI

IUPUI students are eager to take advantage of internship opportunities in the Indianapolis area.

Community Venture Fund

The IUPUI Community Venture Fund-Now Accepting Proposals

In the first three years of operation (May 2004-December 2006), a $1.7 million grant from the Lilly Endowment enabled the Solution Center to establish the Solution Center and the IUPUI Community Venture Fund. In less than three years, the Solution Center facilitated 1,212 internships, projects, and research collaborations, 839 of which were created or assisted by funding from the Venture Fund. During this period, the Solution Center awarded 206 grants to 142 business, nonprofit organizations, and government and educational institutions. Partnering organizations contributed in excess of $1.2 million to support these engagements, creating 662 internships, 473 projects, and 77 research partnerships between the community and the University.

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.

Because of the success of the Venture Fund in building community partnerships, the Solution Center has received a renewal grant from the Lilly Endowment.

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.

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

Nonprofit organizations seeking to work with IUPUI students should contact the Office of Community Work Study to submit for work study eligibility prior to completing the proposal form. You can access eligibility forms here.

What is the 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?

Preliminary Proposal form here.  A Solution Center staff member will contact you within 72 hours.

Questions?

For more information or guidance about the proposal process, please contact us at 317 278-9170 or fill out an information request form.