1st Source Bank Foundation – Spring 2027 Grants
Grants Supporting Human Services, Education, Arts, Culture, and Community Development in Indiana and Michigan
The 1st Source Bank Foundation provides charitable grants to established nonprofit organizations working to strengthen communities served by 1st Source Bank across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
The Foundation supports organizations working in social welfare and human services, education, arts and culture, and community and economic development. It places particular emphasis on organizations with a demonstrated track record of success and programs capable of reaching significant portions of the community.
For the Spring 2027 funding cycle, applications are due March 25, 2027.
Organization: 1st Source Bank Foundation
Support Type: Community grants
Geographic Focus: Northern Indiana and southwest Michigan
Funding Amount: Not published
Current Deadline: March 25, 2027
Review Cycle: Twice annually
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About the Funder
1st Source Bank is a regional financial institution serving communities throughout northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
Through the 1st Source Bank Foundation, the company invests financial resources in organizations working to enhance the social, economic, and cultural strength of the communities it serves.
The Foundation’s mission emphasizes:
- Supporting organizations that have demonstrated their ability to make a meaningful difference
- Promoting local development and sound community-building efforts
- Serving as an engaged corporate citizen
- Improving quality of life for people who live, work, raise families, and build businesses in 1st Source communities
What This Program Supports
The Foundation organizes its giving around three broad focus areas.
Social Welfare & Human Services
Funding may support established organizations addressing community and human service needs.
Potential areas of alignment may include:
- Basic needs
- Family services
- Youth services
- Community support programs
- Services for vulnerable or underserved populations
- Other social welfare initiatives
Applicants should clearly define the problem being addressed and explain how their work improves or expands existing services.
Education, Arts & Culture
The Foundation supports organizations strengthening educational and cultural opportunities within local communities.
Potential projects may involve:
- Education
- Youth development
- Arts programming
- Cultural organizations
- Museums
- Performing arts
- Community arts initiatives
- Other educational or cultural programming
Community & Economic Development
Programs contributing to stronger local communities and economic opportunity may also be considered.
Potential areas of alignment include:
- Community development
- Neighborhood improvement
- Economic development
- Workforce-related initiatives
- Local revitalization
- Programs supporting community stability and quality of life
Geographic Focus
The Foundation primarily supports communities served by 1st Source Bank, whose banking footprint is concentrated throughout:
- Northern Indiana
- Southwest Michigan
1st Source Bank operates banking centers across 19 counties in the region, including communities such as:
- South Bend
- Fort Wayne
- Elkhart
- Warsaw
- Carmel
- Kalamazoo
- St. Joseph
- Other communities across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan
Applicants should clearly describe their geographic service area and demonstrate a connection to a 1st Source Bank community.
Eligible Organizations
Applicants must be:
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations
- Established organizations with demonstrated success
- Serving communities relevant to 1st Source Bank’s geographic footprint
The Foundation indicates that it generally prefers to support established nonprofits with a proven record of achieving their mission, rather than newly formed organizations.
What the Foundation Looks For
Strong applications should clearly explain the need being addressed and demonstrate why that issue is relevant to the local community.
Applicants should be prepared to discuss:
- The specific problem or community need
- Why the issue should matter to 1st Source Bank Foundation
- The population being served
- Geographic service area
- How the project will improve, expand, or sustain existing services
- How the organization collaborates with other community partners
The Foundation values partnerships and seeks opportunities to maximize community impact through collaboration with public and private organizations.
Project Goals & Measurement
Applicants must provide a clear description of the proposed project, including:
- Measurable goals
- Timeline
- Objectives
- Implementation strategy
- Evaluation methods
Organizations receiving funding should be prepared to report periodically on measurable project results.
Funding Requests
The Foundation does not publish a standard grant range.
Applicants should indicate:
- Amount requested
- How Foundation funds will be used
- Total project budget
- Other project contributors
- Amounts committed by other funders
- Financial support provided by the organization’s Board of Directors
Applicants should also disclose whether they receive United Way funding and what percentage of their organizational budget comes from United Way support.
Funding may be provided as:
- A single grant payment
- Multiple distributions over a period of time
The payment structure is determined at the time a grant is approved.
Required Organizational Information
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
- Most recently filed IRS Form 990
- IRS determination letter
- W-9
- Appropriate financial statements
- Organizational structure and size
- Executive staff information
- Board of Directors list
- Description of board involvement
- Information about any 1st Source employees serving as board members or volunteers
2027 Spring Deadline
📅 Spring 2027 Application Deadline: March 25, 2027
The March 25 deadline is specific to the 2027 Spring Cycle.
Review & Notification
The 1st Source Bank Foundation Board of Directors reviews applications during its spring and fall meetings.
Applicants are generally notified of decisions within 30 days following the applicable Foundation Board meeting.
The Foundation notes that it receives more qualified requests than it can fund, so alignment with its focus areas does not guarantee an award.
Application Process
For the Spring 2027 cycle, organizations may submit through the Foundation’s online application portal.
➡️ Apply Through the 1st Source Bank Foundation Online Application
Apply / Learn More
➡️ 1st Source Bank Foundation Grant Guidelines
➡️ Submit an Online Grant Application
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity may be particularly strong for organizations that:
- Serve communities in northern Indiana or southwest Michigan
- Have an established history of successful programming
- Address social welfare or human service needs
- Provide educational opportunities
- Support arts and cultural programming
- Advance community or economic development
- Reach a significant number of local residents
- Have measurable goals and established evaluation practices
- Collaborate with other community organizations
- Can demonstrate broad community impact
The Foundation’s preference for established organizations and collaborative community initiatives makes this particularly well suited for nonprofits with a strong local track record rather than newly launched programs without demonstrated outcomes.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Current Deadline: March 25, 2027
Review Type: Twice annually
Funding Amount: Not published
Geographic Reach: Northern Indiana and southwest Michigan
Eligible Applicants: Established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Focus Areas: Human services, education, arts and culture, community development, economic development
Application: Online portal
Best Suited For: Established nonprofits serving 1st Source Bank communities with measurable programs and demonstrated local impact