Capital Project Initiative for Residential Youth Camps in Indiana

Lilly Endowment is a private philanthropic foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization is known for its commitment to supporting community development, education, and religious causes, primarily within the state of Indiana. Through its various grantmaking initiatives, Lilly Endowment aims to foster strong and sustainable communities by investing in innovative programs and infrastructure. The Capital Project Initiative for Residential Youth Camps is a multi-phase funding program designed to enhance the quality of residential youth camp experiences across Indiana. The primary objective of this initiative is to improve youth outcomes by supporting the construction, renovation, and enhancement of facilities critical to effective camp programming. With a substantial allocation of up to $166 million, this initiative represents a significant investment in the state's youth development infrastructure. The initiative is structured into three distinct phases. Phase 1 involves Planning Grants of up to $150,000, which enable organizations to conduct assessments and prepare for potential capital projects. While the application period for Phase 1 has closed, notifications and payments are expected in June or July 2025. Phase 2 offers Non-competitive Capital Project Grants to assist camps in upgrading or building new facilities and purchasing equipment or furnishings that will improve their services. Grant amounts in this phase are determined by the average annual number of youth served over the past three years, with possible awards of up to $750,000, $1 million, or $1.5 million. Phase 3 introduces Competitive Large-scale Capital Project Grants aimed at substantially expanding and enhancing camp programs. This phase offers larger grants, ranging from up to $2.5 million to $10 million, also based on historical youth service data. Eligible applicants for this initiative include residential youth camps located in Indiana. The Phase 2 application requires several submission materials, including a cover letter, proposal narrative, budget, applicant information form, exempt status and charity/foundation status information, IRS exempt status determination letter, and recent financial statements, along with any optional appendices. These materials must be compiled into a single PDF and submitted through the online form by 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, September 22, 2025. Evaluation criteria for the grants include the alignment of proposed projects with the goal of enhancing youth camp experiences, the feasibility and impact of the capital improvements, and the capacity of the applicant organization to execute the project successfully. Interested applicants can access necessary forms and additional guidance through the Resources section on the initiative's webpage. For any questions, potential applicants are encouraged to consult the FAQ or contact the initiative team directly via email at camps@lei.org. Notifications and payments for Phase 2 grants are anticipated in December 2025. The initiative provides a clear timeline and structured phases to guide applicants through the process, with a focus on transparency and support for Indiana’s residential youth camps. The program underscores Lilly Endowment’s ongoing dedication to improving the well-being and development of young people across the state through targeted investments in high-quality camp environments.