Neighborhood Grants Program

From 2022 to 2025, INRC partnered with the City of Indianapolis to fund resident-led neighborhood projects that spark engagement and strengthen community. Explore our impact across five grant cycles.

How the Program Worked

  • Funding: $2,500-$15,000 per project via an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Allocation from the City of Indianapolis

  • Eligibility: The program considered Registered Neighborhood Organizations and 501(c)3 organizations located within Marion County Qualified Census Tracts or COVID Impact Zones

  • Guidelines: Funds had to be used on an eligible project within 1 year of the award.

Round 1 Awardees

  • 1200-1300 Wright St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

    Bates-Hendricks Neighborhood Association’s project plan was to add 8 public benches to the South New Jersey Street medians, commonly used for recreation and neighborhood events. Neighbors volunteered to help install the benches and held a celebration once the project was completed.

  • 5702 Kirkpatrick Way, Indianapolis, IN 46220

    Bretton Wood Homeowners Association made updates to a prominent central playground in the community. This included a third piece of playground equipment, mulch, a new bench to provide beautification, and more opportunities for engagement for residents.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46219

    Community Alliance of the Far Eastside’s project plan was to utilize a vacant lot for a Community Orchard and Greenspace. This also included a space for events, sculptures, a playground, and a mobile farmstand.

  • Community Heights Neighborhood Association wanted to confront speeding and reckless driving at 10th St between Emerson and Arlington Avenues that was negatively impacting residents in the area.

    Neighbors painted a mural around the crosswalks on 16th St. in front of IPS 88, installed custom-made decorative planters in the center median on 16th Street, installed a “School Zone” banner on light posts, added decorative planters in the center turn lane on 10th Street near bus stops, added tube-shaped bollards on bike lines, and painted the bike lane green where it crosses neighborhood streets.

  • 6002 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46228

    Crooked Creek Community Development Corporation’s project was to create and install gateway signs to help residents recognize Crooked Creek’s boundaries.

    Community members were involved by voting on a favorite design and had input on location.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Emerson Heights Community Organization’s built upon the success of their “Getting to Know You” community event which occurred after a community clean up.

    They held two events: one to celebrate Emerson Heights Day, and another event to build community engagement. The events were promoted via social media and their newsletter.

  • Englewood, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Englewood Neighborhood Association’s wanted to further develop their Englewood Nature Playspace and Community Garden, and update a gateway sign on the eastern edge of the neighborhood. They also recreated a mural on the fence of the garden with the help of an artist.

  • Foxfire, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Foxfire Homeowners Association’s sought out to beautify a neighborhood playground and engage neighbors in the process. Volunteers replaced old mulch and repurposed wood mulch for the trees, added landscape fabric, and spread 4300 square feet of rubber mulch after the purchase of needed materials.

  • 1300 N White River Pkwy Dr W, Indianapolis, IN 46202

    Friends of Belmont Beach added more programming to the Belmont Beach pop-up park that launched in 2021. The new events included “sound bath meditations” for mental wellness, summer movie nights, Sunday Fundays with free food and activities for all, local musicians and comedians;, the Haughville Heritage Day fundraiser, and Belmont Beach Closing weekend to celebrate before the beach is closed for winter.

  • 1702 Broadway St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

    Friends of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park’s plan provided resources to prevent littering and trash buildup at Dr. MLK Jr. Park by replacing the trash receptacles with ones that will be more weather and animal-resistant. Along with the trash receptacles, they also installed two hot coal bins at the park’s pavilion near the grill installations for community use.

  • Irvington Historic District, Indianapolis, IN 46219

    Irvington Historic Community Council added banner signage to demonstrate the community’s history. A survey was conducted to gather resident input to help determine the location of the banner.

  • Historic Meridian Park, Indianapolis, IN 46205

    Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood Association’s further developed the Historic Meridian Park Pocket Park by providing several elements of maintenance. Neighbors added mulch, replaced rotting wood from the playground and native plants, and installed tables and chairs, a new sign, and a free library box with antiracist reading material.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46220

    Historic Watson Park Neighborhood Association further beautified the gateway triangle median in the neighborhood. They added landscaping to the median and officially adopted it as part of the neighborhood. Additionally, residents helped on multiple workdays adding mulch, native plants, and shrubs.

  • Holy Cross Neighborhood Association’s commissioned a local artist to create an artistic gathering space in honor of Kelly Wensing, a community leader who they describe as the “backbone” of the neighborhood association.

  • Homewood Park West, Indianapolis, IN

    Homewood Park West Neighborhood Association added new neighborhood signage and to unveiled them at National Night Out 2022. They also held a community day where residents painted the signs and added landscaping around them. Flags were included that represent a connection to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and having neighbors from all over the world.

  • 5201 Nob Ln, Indianapolis, IN 46226

    Ladywood Estates Homeowners Association redeveloped a historic well house and replenished a nearby wet garden to add beautification to the community. The area is now a space for residents to enjoy and connect.

  • 2902 E 46th St #2409, Indianapolis, IN 46205

    Living Water Fellowship Church organized a neighborhood cleanup to rid the community of trash on the sides of the roads and an excess of weeds.

  • 2605 E 25th St, Indianapolis, IN 46218

    One Voice Martindale-Brightwood led a neighborhood clean-up to rid the community of trash, held resident-led placemaking activities including planting flowers and painting and repairing buildings, and increased outreach through social media and publications to encourage community engagement in projects.

  • 5665 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254

    Pike Township Residents Association’s painted cement blocks to aid in traffic calming and further beautify the space. They also organized a group to clean the blocks and then paint them. Additionally a local artist designed a mural for the greenway.

  • Ransom Place, Indianapolis, IN 46202

    Ransom Place Neighborhood Association wanted to add creative elements to showcase the history of the community in their pocket park. The project included adding three new pieces of art created by local artists, which featured stories collected from neighbors. QR codes were placed near each piece of art to link to videos on the association’s website. Additionally they worked with a group from the Alpha Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, supported by the Ivy Endowment, to research the history of the neighborhood, collaborate with the artists, and collect stories from community members.

  • South Village, Indianapolis, IN 46225

    South Village Neighborhood Association created a new greenspace to replenish native plants and create a space for environmental education. Plants were also labeled to help locals learn which plants are native.

  • 1340 N Main St, Speedway, IN 46224

    The Speedway Arts Council installed an interactive historical mural on Main Street in Speedway for photo opportunities for residents and visitors. An anti-graffiti coating was added to protect the mural.

  • Warfleigh Neighborhood, Indianapolis, IN 46208, 46220, and 46260

    Warfleigh Neighborhood Association created gateway signage to help visitors identify the neighborhood and add distinction from other neighborhoods.

Round 2 Awardees

  • Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Bean Creek collaborated with Big Car to add light elements, art to common spaces and structures, benches, planters, and trees to homes owned by Big Car and Big Car artists along Cruft Street and Nelson Avenue.

    These beautification features will aid in the seasonal art walks for local artists and neighbors.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46107

    Beech Meadow Apartment Community and Beech Grove Parks Foundation increased beautification and safety to Hornet Avenue, east of Emerson Avenue, by adding a bike rack, new traffic signage, and a new entrance sign. All of these additions aid in the accessibility of this area and make it safer for walking and biking.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46107

    Bellaire Neighborhood Association built a community garden at New Paradigm Christian Church to provide Willow Brook Apartments residents with assigned plots. This helped promote healthy eating, provided activities to engage youth in holistic wellness, and increased awareness of the neighborhood association.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46241

    Ben Davis Christian Church organized a week-long community cleanup initiative called “Love Where You Are” in westside neighborhoods in Wayne Township and Speedway.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46226

    Brendon Park Civic Association redeveloped Devington Plaza and its entryways and signage, including brick-and-mortar improvements to the entryways, landscaping, and collaboration with an artist to design a new logo. Residents were surveyed about their satisfaction with the beautification efforts.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46226

    Brendonridge Homeowners Association’s beautified common areas of IPS Robert Lee Frost School 106 by replacing old tables with ones that have more seating, and cleaning up the area. They held community celebration, and prepared for continued maintenance.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Christian Park Community Garden installed an irrigation system and partnered with gardeners and tree-trimming companies for mulch and seed donations. They also added a wider gate for vehicle access to the garden.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46222

    Eagledale Neighborhood Association organized a neighborhood cleanup called the ”The Eagledale Spring Clean Dumpster Fling”. The association also created a bilingual website with English and Spanish options to share out events and activities.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Emerson Heights Community Organization re-branded “Emerson Heights” to “Historic Emerson Heights”, and hosted a Spring Clean Up. They also held a traffic signal box art competition, featured at the Art in the Park event.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46205

    Fall Creek Place Foundation expanded the Craig Kids Memorial Park, and installed new playground equipment to encourage continued use of the space. They also implemented a fundraising campaign to further support their objectives.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Grace Tuxedo Park Neighborhood Organization created a community garden space on a vacant lot where residents can grow their own produce and build community. Fruits and vegetables from the garden were also provided to a food pantry.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46218

    Hovey Street Church of Christ developed its community garden space, where they hold community programming, youth mentoring, and other educational activities. They also collaborated with an artist to create a mural and signage for the space.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46241

    Lynhurst Baptist Church used two acres of underutilized land for a park, picnic area, and community events. They cleaned up the space, and added new swings and a basketball hoop. They also added an ADA-accessible shelter with benches, and flowers and trees to the area.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46205

    Mapleton Fall Creek Neighborhood Association continued work to improve 29th Street and Broadway Park by adding additional seating, cleaning up the playground structure, and removing old playground equipment and signage.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46208

    Midtown Indy organized an outdoor family-friendly movie series in Tarkington Park, including films created by youth in the community. Local food vendors and nonprofits were also featured.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46220

    Millersville at Fall Creek Valley revitalized and beautified the Fall Creek greenway between the 56th St and Emerson Way bridges, and two adjacent planted gateway medians at 56th St and at Emerson Way.

    At the Fall Creek Overlook, signage was added about watershed management, and the local ecosystem of wildlife and native plants. Invasive plants were removed from the banks of the Emerson Way bridge.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46205

    Monon Yard Neighborhood Association installed informational signs with information about events and volunteer opportunities in common spaces and yards, and street-side pole banners to mark the boundaries of the community. Smaller signs were distributed to neighbors to post in front of their houses.

    They also created welcome folders for new residents with community resources information about the neighborhood association.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46201

    My Christian Park Neighborhood Association created a neighborhood gateway at the northeast corner of Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive and English Avenue, that includes community-made decorated tiles that represent leaves from trees in the park. They partnered with a local artist to design the gateway, and neighbors contributed to the design through a leaf design event.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46218

    New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Martindale-Brightwood Community Development Corporation hosted a neighborhood clean up for the Fletcher Oak Hill neighborhood with community volunteers to help with trash pick up, cutting grass, cleaning curbs, providing mulch for landscaping, and more.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46208

    Northwest Landing Neighborhood Association added a gazebo for the community garden next to Aspire House, planted perennial flowers around it, and added welcome signage. They also widened the walkway and steps for the gazebo to make it more accessible for seniors.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46205

    Parkview Cooperative Preschool expanded the Parkview Greenspace, a play area for children that is open to the community after hours. They also planned to add tracking panels, a sensory play table for kids, additional playground equipment, and educational materials for all ages.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46218

    Ralston Hovey Arsenal Andrew J. Brown Neighborhood Association hosted an event called “Watch Us Glow – Neighborhood Alley Cleanup” to combat the illegal dumping residents have experienced in the alleys behind their home. They organize a cleanup of 12 blocks throughout the neighborhood, and installed “No Dumping” signs and surveillance cameras overlooking the alley ways.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46201

    St. Clair Place Neighborhood Association set out to increase the usage and awareness of community spaces and gardens for events and activities by encouraging residents to host their own gatherings and events. They conducted surveys for residents to share feedback on neighborhood activities and committees, which will inform plans to enhance community spaces and outreach.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46227

    University Heights made essential updates to the University Heights Pocket Park, replacing old picnic tables with ones that are ADA-compliant, and adding solar-powered lighting and more benches. A grand opening re-introduced the community to the park.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Windsor Park Neighborhood Association partnered with Latina’s Welding Guild to create new signage for their Gateway Garden and Fletcher Park. The design for the new sign was created by a neighbor with input from the community.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46227

    Woodruff Place Civic League worked to restore six fountains in their neighborhood. Four customized park benches were installed surrounding the fountain.

Round 3 Awardees

  • Indianapolis, IN 46203

    The Friends of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park representing the Kennedy King Neighborhood project plan successfully re-opened the MLK pool after the 2020 Covid-19 outbreak for continued resident use and community recreation. They enhanced beautification and usability with the addition of annual plants, and increased opportunities for engagement for community members of all ages.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46201

    The Little Flower Neighborhood Association (LFNA) installed signage at prominent intersections in the community before monthly meetings and quarterly events to increase awareness of the neighborhood association. Additionally, they designed tablecloths with the Little Flower logo and website to assist with visibility at tabling events, and created trailhead posts and a message center to be utilized in a neighborhood greenspace.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46208

    The Meridian Highland Neighborhood Association (MHNA) installed welcome signs at the corners of Fall Creek and Meridian, and at Fall Creek and Capitol Ave to increase the overall visibility of the community for neighbors and visitors.

    Community members had input on the design process of the signs in collaboration with an artist. Additionally an event was held for neighbors to do landscaping around the signs for further beautification.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46201

    NESCO implemented a collaborative effort toward neighborhood engagement in the areas of crime and safety, beautification, and city compliance in neighborhood boundaries.
    They collaborated with 6 local neighborhood associations, and worked with leaders of the neighborhoods on the program.

  • 1123 S Ewing St, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Norwood Neighborhood Association uplifted and celebrated the neighborhood’s history through a “Norwood Neighborhood’s 150+1” anniversary celebration. The event featured an 1800’s theme connected to when the neighborhood was founded, and included a parade, music, and dress that reflects the time period.

  • Hawthorne, Indianapolis, IN 46222

    The Near West Collaborative on behalf of the Near West Education Task Force organized a Summer Bash event to engage area residents and organizations. Activities included games, music, food trucks, information tables, and youth vaccinations. They also provided students and teachers with several school supplies for the upcoming school year at the event.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Traditions Neighborhood Association installed a new entrance sign with lighting, and organized neighborhood cleanup efforts. The sign supports overall awareness of the community and through neighborhood cleanup, beautification of the entrance and exit increased.

  • Indianapolis, IN 46217

    Southdale Neighborhood Association featured “Streetcorner Art” in the community and implemented “Yard Sign Monthly Winners” for their monthly meetings.

    The “Streetcorner Art” project included 4 traffic signal boxes with art that relates to the neighborhood’s history of German immigrant families who beautified and sustained the area with vegetables, fruit, shrubs, and trees.

    The “Yard Sign Monthly Winners” project included the purchase of 100 yard signs with information about the neighborhood association for local residents and businesses to display on their property. Participants were placed in a monthly drawing for a free meal from a local restaurant.

Round 4 Awardees

  • 2629 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    1000 Words Inc. created a large-scale mural in the Brookside neighborhood and a beautified space for community events.

  • 701 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46241

    Ben Davis Christian Church’s “Love Where You Are” project focused on a 20% increase in their volunteer network and waste collection to create a more connected and environmentally conscious community.

  • 5359 Mark Ln, Indianapolis, IN 46226

    Brendon Park Civic Association continued efforts from their initial grant project that focused on the restoration of two neighborhood entryways to enhance the beautification of the community.

  • 1110 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    BRIDGE Collective held a 4-day event showcasing the work of mural artists in Indy and beyond. During the event, walls were painted as a live exhibition, and an after-party was held featuring live music.

  • 1411 N Dearborn St, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Brookside Neighborhood Association distributed swag representing the community and created a neighborhood-branded event kit to be used at community events in hopes to grow membership, engagement, and awareness of the neighborhood association’s meetings and events.

  • 8902 E 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46226

    CAFE’s enhanced their Far Eastside Orchard by adding art to a storage space shipping container. They also worked with an artist to facilitate two workshops and welcomed community members to do a paint-by-the-number painting on the shipping container.

  • Indianapolis, IN

    Emerson Heights Community Organization continued work to increase awareness by replacing a historic marker sign head, reconstructing a column marking the boundaries of the neighborhood, redesigning the organization’s logo, and adding banners to be shown at future meetings.

  • 2502 N Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46205

    Fall Creek Homeowners Association continued invasive tree removal efforts along the south bank of Fall Creek. They planted native trees and purchased an “Extractigator” tool for woody tree and shrub removal.

  • 638 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association turned an alleyway into community space honoring the area’s history. Energy-efficient lighting and benches were installed, and local artists created a mural, pavers, vinyl graphics, and seating to beautify this shared space.

  • 2508 W Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46222

    Fonseca Theatre Company finished beautification updates to the courtyard near the theatre. They added a mural created by a local artist, paved over gravel, installed security lights and a camera, built a storage shed, and installed two benches and a picnic table.

  • 1105 Shelby St, Indianapolis, IN 46227

    Fountain Fletcher District Association’s added wayfinding maps and art from local artists to vacant storefront windows on Virginia Avenue corridor.

  • 6116 Angelina Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Foxfire Community Association continued beautification efforts to their community’s playground which included adding 7 pallets of rubber mulch to improve the appearance and safety of the playground.

  • 29 N Grant Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Grace Tuxedo Park Neighborhood beautified the neighborhood by illustrating the symbol of the Monarch butterfly that migrates from Mexico to the United States every spring in signage. They also held a sunflower start giveaway.

  • 58 N Holmes Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46222

    Hillside Neighborhood Association added needed features to Unity Park including new spigots for the community garden and a mural of community leaders.

  • 3446 N Hartman Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46226

    InTouch Resource Center organized clean-up events in the Arlington Woods community. They assessed the most affected areas of the neighborhood, gathered input from residents, engaged neighbors through media and flyers, and implemented bi-monthly clean-ups and a volunteer opportunity on safety measures and waste segregation.

  • 5500 E Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46220

    Millersville at Fall Creek Valley completed various beautification projects in the neighborhood with the help of volunteers and professionals. 60+ dying shrubs in parking area planting beds were replaced, Fall Creek Overlook Park was weeded and received new plants, and other existing greenspaces were revitalized.

  • 3421 N Park Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205

    New Circle Church’s developed a greenspace in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood, adding a large shelter for community members to gather and appreciate nature.

  • 3421 N Park Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205

    New Circle Church’s added a large shelter in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood where community members can gather and appreciate nature.

  • 4002 Otterbein Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227

    Sound Ecologies hosted various concerts and art events throughout 2024-2025 featuring emerging artists and writers, to benefit local initiatives.

  • 2780 Brookside Pkwy S Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Spades Park Neighborhood Association created a gateway sign to Spades Park that reads “Every dollar spent on Indy Parks generates an estimated $3.13 in the local economy” and “Properties within 250 feet of an Indy Parks location are valued more than $14,000 higher than the Marion County average.”

  • Indianapolis, IN

    Springdale Neighborhood Association replaced 26 sun-damaged signs with a new rebranded logo to increase neighborhood pride.

  • 26 N Grant Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    With the help of a professional gardener and local volunteers, Tuxedo Park Baptist Church expanded a community garden with more raised boxes.

  • 3047 N Olney St, Indianapolis, IN 46218

    United Northeast CDC collaborated with Ground Up Foods to expand their farm and increase the community’s food access. They cleared trash, tested soil, added a fence and running water to the garden, and installed security cameras for safety.

  • 6052 Meridian St W Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46208

    Warfleigh Neighborhood Association added more signage to the neighborhood to raise awareness of the association’s presence.

Round 5 Awardees

  • 1002 Udell St, Indianapolis, IN 46208

    Aspire Higher Foundation opened an art studio at Aspire House for the seven Near North West neighborhoods and its residents.

  • 302 Lincoln St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

    Bates-Hendricks Neighborhood revitalized a community garden to increase well-being in neighbors.

  • 150 W 40th St, Indianapolis, IN 46208

    Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association completed landscaping at IPS School #43 James Whitcomb Riley spruced up SHarP Community Gardens.

  • 611 Dayton Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Christian Park Community Garden continued past work of turning two vacant lots into a thriving community garden by adding soil amendments and new plots for produce.

  • 2140 N Clubside Pl, Indianapolis, IN 46214

    Country Club Place Homeowners’ Association beautified a neighborhood trail by adding flower and vegetable gardens near the trail, improving the path around a pond, and ensuring safety on the trail.

  • 225 N Oxford St, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Englewood Neighborhood Association improved two neighborhood parks, adding a pergola, benches, mulch for the playground, a sandbox, and more.

  • 2505 Conservatory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Friends of Garfield Park hosted volunteer work days at Blake’s Garden to beautify the space and set the foundation for annual volunteer workdays.

  • 58 N Holmes Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46222

    Hawthorne Neighborhood Gardens Association implemented 4 seasonal events with hands-on activities and workshops.

  • 900 Calvary St, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    North Square Neighborhood Association painted a mural on a median and added flowers and drought resistant plants near the area.

  • 6100 E 32nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46226

    Oxford Neighborhood Association supported the Northeast Communities National Night Out Celebration in 2024, bringing local police and neighbors together.

  • 858 N Parker Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Rivoli Park Neighborhood installed new benches, improved trash collection methods, and salvaged an oak tree at Paige Linn Booker Memorial Pocket Park.

  • 702 W 52nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46208

    Rocky Ripple Community Association completed improvements of Hohlt Park, including adding new picnic tables, adding cardio equipment to the playground, and adding a new garden shed mural.

  • 26 N Grant Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Tuxedo Park Baptist Church added planter boxes for neighbors to adopt at the church’s community garden.

  • 2325 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    Westminster Neighborhood Services held monthly neighborhood meetings, facilitating community-led art projects, and creating a foundation to continue to host block parties for neighbors to enjoy.

This program was made possible by generous funding from

Illustration of the Statue of Liberty with a sword in one hand and a torch in the other, above the text 'The City of Indianapolis'.