Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) is an initiative of Indianapolis neighborhoods and residents, private and public organizations, and civic leaders, and operates from a collective impact model. Reconnecting to Our Waterways’ collective impact works to achieve waterway-adjacent neighborhood improvements (physical, environmental, economic and social).

A fundamental function of Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) is to provide waterway communities and their partners’ capacity and access to resources to invest back into their waterways.

One way ROW does this is by providing grants to our Waterway or Element Committees. These grants help fulfill the committee work plans, ROW’s Mission and Strategic Plan, and reconnect more people to their neighborhood waterways.

Two grant programs are available:

• The Event Fund will consider creative events that support social distancing, such as online or virtual “events” and “gatherings” (maximum request $1,500 per event and $3,500 per Committee). The event must be complete and funds spent by September 2020.
• The Seed Fund will support projects and programs that achieve ROW’s Mission, Values and Strategic Plan (maximum request $5,000 per project and $5,000 per Committee). Recipients have one year from the award date to complete the project.

Applications must be submitted from a ROW Waterway or Element Committee and demonstrate community support or partnerships. Preference will be given to projects that are quick-action, in ROW’s focus areas, engaged more than one ROW committee, and serve underserved populations. Other requirements apply, depending on the grant program.

If you have an idea that fits with these goals, please contact the appropriate Waterway (geography) committee or the Arts and Culture Element Committee to submit a proposal for review and support.

If you have questions about the grant program, email Grants@ourwaterways.org