The10th Annual Faith & Action Grants Program: Advancing Poverty and Mental Health Initiatives.
The Faith & Action Project goes beyond convening Marion County leaders to learn about and discuss solutions to poverty; it also invests directly in that mission by providing funding to support critical work underway in our community. Faith-based organizations across all traditions are encouraged to take part in this opportunity.
Each spring, the Faith & Action Project brings together community members from various faiths to learn from experts and each other about the poverty solutions that are underway at the annual Spring Conference. As part of this work, the Project also offers funding opportunities to initiatives that seek to eliminate poverty in our community.
This year, the conference will take place on March 19 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and will feature keynote speaker Chanequa Walker-Barnes who will be addressing trauma and ways to move toward healing. On her website, she describes her vocation as being “a provocateur of healing, joy, and justice.” Drawing on her integrated background in psychology and spirituality, she will help conference participants explore the connections between trauma and poverty, and identify pathways toward challenge, growth, and healing.
Attendance at the morning session of the conference is required to apply for Faith & Action grants and participation in the afternoon workshops is also strongly encouraged. The purpose of the funding is to connect, inspire, and empower communities of faith and others to implement effective solutions related to reducing poverty and increasing opportunities in Indianapolis.
Because of the focus on trauma-informed care coming from this year’s presentation, the 2026 grants committee will be highly interested in learning how initiatives are integrating mental health support into their overall approach to addressing poverty.
Faith & Action Project Director Lindsey Nell Rabinowitch shared that the grants committee is particularly interested in supporting programs that break down silos, engage in collective work, and employ proven best practices. She noted that financial support is designed to accelerate and strengthen work already underway.
“Our grants are a catalyst for action to accelerate and scale up the initiatives. Rabinowitch said that past grant recipients have shared with the team that this is long term work and that the financial investment and connection to the Faith & Action team have been invaluable to their organizations. The support helps these organizations grow and deepen their impact.
The grant process is a multi-step process and begins by attending the March 19 conference (applications available March 2). Next applicants must submit a proposal (deadline is April 15). Those invited to send a full application will have until May 28. Awardees will be notified in July. Stay tuned; details of the grant process will be communicated this month.
