In 2024, Bethany Legacy Foundation will use our resources strategically to fund work and organizations focused on improving mental health for Jefferson County youth, adults, workforce, and seniors. Because mental health is often interconnected with substance abuse disorders, and because of the lack of treatment services in our county, opportunities to support new, existing, or expanding programs that will allow more people to seek recovery are particularly attractive.
This year the grant application portal will be open from March 25 through August 16 (which is the final date to submit a pre-application). Note that these dates are subject to change based on the volume of requests.
Let’s make a change together and put an end to the suffering we see.
Grant Guidelines
- Bethany Legacy awards grants to 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations, churches, state-accredited schools, and government entities. If your organization does not fall within those guidelines, you may apply with an eligible organization serving as your fiscal sponsor. When using a fiscal sponsor, a formal agreement between the grant applicant and sponsor will be required.
- Grant-funded activities must serve residents of Jefferson County, Indiana. The funded organization does not have to be located in Jefferson County, IN.
- Amenities funded by Bethany Legacy must be available to the general public, not restricted to a limited group(s) (e.g. parks, schools, playgrounds, pools etc.).
- Grant requests should have a direct impact on mental health or substance use disorder. We seek proposals that build psychological resiliency and improve mental health and emotional wellness for the youth, adults, or seniors – or all the above. In addition, we also seek proposals with the primary goal of achieving and maintaining recovery from substance abuse.
BETHANY LEGACY WILL NOT FUND
- Organizations, programs, or projects that discriminate in any way based on participation or membership in a specific religious faith,race, gender, citizenship status, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
- Lobbying or political campaigns.
- Conference or event sponsorships.
- Projects that use Bethany Legacy grant funds to replace existing funding sources.
- Real estate purchases with Bethany Legacy as the sole funder.
- Direct grants to individuals.
Important Attributes of the Grant Proposal - Please note Bethany Legacy will not fund all applications it receives. All applications will be assessed and scored for:
- Evidence-Based Practice or Supporting Data. We seek proposals that represent an evidence-based practice or are otherwise
supported by research or data. This can include academic research, evaluations of other programs, or even your own internal data (e.g. surveys). - Systems Impact Potential. We seek proposals that lead to systems change – altering how policies, practices, resources, relationships, and mindsets hold problems in place, especially those that impact mental health and substance use. This can include solutions that promote a thriving mental health workforce.
- Prevention. We seek proposals that consider upstream factors to improve the mental health and/or substance use disorders of residents of Jefferson County, IN. Prevention aims to increase the likelihood that people will stay healthy and well for as long as possible.
- Innovation. We seek proposals that represent experimentation with new approaches and innovations that question the status quo and break from previous practices in Jefferson County. We are willing to take smart risks with grantees.
- Service Enhancement. We are willing to fund proposals that enhance delivery of mental health services in Jefferson County. This can include supplies, technology, equipment and/or overhead needs for programs that directly impact mental health and substance abuse.
In addition, we will prioritize proposals that have these factors:
- Collaboration. We value collaboration and are open to funding grants which involve a cohort of multiple organizations or groups of stakeholders working together towards a shared goal.
- Community Engagement. We look for ways in which applicants engage their customers, clients, and residents in developing and
implementing solutions. - Comprehensive Project Budget. We expect budgets to be clear, detailed, and outline all expenses and revenue (such as other sources of funding). The budget may include reasonable indirect or overhead costs.
- Leveraged Funding. We appreciate when grantees can leverage multiple sources of funding to bring their vision to fruition. This can mean having other sources of funding secured and using Bethany Legacy funds to close a gap, or it can mean securing Bethany Legacy funding first and using that to attract other sources of funding.
- Multiple Quotes. We prefer projects that involve vendors to have at least two quotes.
- Funding Sustainability. We look for grantees to demonstrate how they are working toward supporting the development, implementation, and sustainability of promising programs beyond Bethany Legacy funding.
- Plan for Project Assessment and Evaluation. We expect projects to clearly identify the target population(s), the number of clients served, and the specific outcomes grantees seek to achieve.
Recent Grants
Habitat For Humanity For Southeast Indiana Receives Five-Year $987,925 Grant to Complete Six Homes In The Clifty Woods Subdivision
Madison, IN–Bethany Legacy Foundation has awarded a $987,925 grant to Habitat for Humanity for Southeast Indiana to fund the cost of building the remaining six…
$78,650 Grant Awarded To Hanover College From Bethany Legacy Foundation For Hanover-Madison Connector Trail Engineering Study
Madison, IN – A dream of many in our region is about to be realized: a trail to connect the towns of Hanover and Madison,…
The Town of Hanover Receives $332,588 Grant to Upgrade and Expand Hanover Park
Residents of every town everywhere deserve a quality community park in which to gather, connect with others, and play. As the result of a generous…
"For Bethany Legacy Foundation, the action phase kicks off in 2023 and involves rolling up our sleeves and working alongside the community to drive results. Bethany Legacy believes that with smart grant-making, research, education, and people power, Jefferson County will become a place where future generations can work, live and thrive."
-Dora Anim, CEO of Bethany Legacy Foundation
The Freedom Center
The first rapid response grant of 2023 went to The Freedom Center, a brand-new community resource, equipped with licensed therapists to serve individuals of all ages, which will be a dynamic solution to the mental health disparity that currently exists in Jefferson County. The Center needed funding before the end of the year to meet its construction timeline and break ground by June 2023.
Dora, who began her new role on July 5, 2022 plans to spend time listening and learning the needs of the community before recommending any new initiatives. “It’s critically important for BLF to always listen and learn from the residents who live and work in Jefferson County to ensure we are focused on investments that deliver the greatest impact,” says Anim. “We believe good health, health care, and wellness are key to a flourishing society. Our aim is a healthier Jefferson County, supported by high quality, holistic care that can be equitably accessed by all.”
Dora was previously the COO of Greater Cincinnati Foundation where she led the design of a high-performing culture to drive growth, transformation, and results.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana
The second grant was for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana (CAC). The CAC is striving to move to a new facility to provide a safe space to support to children experiencing trauma from physical and sexual abuse. The grant commitment enables the CAC to apply for a Community Development Block Grant which supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities.
"It’s a proven fact that adverse childhood trauma has serious health and wellness impacts on these children when they become adults. The impact of BLF’s contribution is monumental and, in fact, life-changing for so many people. The CAC will not only provide a safe space for children and families during times of trauma but will also allow our community a place to access valuable resources that will benefit the health and wellness of our children, families and community."
-Kelli Jetti, Executive Director of The Children’s Advocacy Center
Crystal Beach Aquatic Park
Crystal Beach Aquatic Park, a critical quality-of-life amenity for the entire community, needed to fill a $2 million gap in its funding to build a new pool and renovate the pool house. Bethany Legacy Foundation was driven to take on the funding issue, allowing Crystal Beach to continue serving the community as it will be the only municipal outdoor aquatics center in Jefferson County. This amenity will be a remarkable place for multigenerational interaction where all families can enjoy recreation and free programming together.
“The Crystal Beach project is more than water and concrete. It’s the heart of the community. Through programming and partnerships, we can provide access for low-income families to enjoy the pool. Along with the new design, yearly swim lessons for all ages will also be provided—a crucial outlet for families looking to pursue more physical activity and improve overall health and wellness.”
-Dora Anim, CEO of Bethany Legacy Foundation
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