Our Partnership Philosophy
The way we work and how we believe we will achieve community impact together.
A Community of Neighbors
Welborn values the Biblical construct of “loving our neighbors.” We are committed to growing our understanding of the beautiful diversity of the people and cultures in our region and to foster equitable and inclusive partnerships. We value partnerships with organizations that also embrace these beliefs and demonstrate them through their own policies, practices, actions, and impact.
Healthy & Impactful nonprofits
Well-equipped nonprofit leadership at all levels is a fundamental driver of community impact. Welborn offers several high-quality trainings for leaders designed to promote organizational growth and health. Our dedicated Nonprofit Excellence Officer also assesses applicants’ needs for capacity building support during each grant cycle.
Meaningful grantee partner relationships
Welborn values relationships with community and grantee partners to accelerate positive community change. Each priority funding area has a dedicated Program Officer with content expertise. These Officers cultivate meaningful grantee partnership relationships built upon a mutual interest in growing, sustainable organizations, effective initiatives and a focus on impact.
Initiatives that work
Welborn favors research-based, promising, and best practice models based on research and evaluation proven results and we also believe in listening to residents and nonprofits with local, firsthand knowledge of the issues, needs and solutions. We want to support innovation that shows promise.
Learning focused nonprofits
Welborn fosters a culture of continuous learning, making data-informed decisions and evaluating the impact of our investments and partnerships. We value this same focus on learning for impact in the organizations we partner with.
Strong collaborations
The magnitude and complexity of community issues exceed the capacity of any one organization to address. We value increasing levels of cross-sector collaboration among organizations, funders, and other community partners.
Systems-level change
We believe that having a systems view of community issues is critical and we desire to influence changes at the policy, systems and environment level. We value organizations who share this understanding and desire to advance lasting solutions.
Partnership Focus Areas
Healthy Communities
The Change We Hope to See
- Healthy choices are easier, safer, and more accessible for entire communities
- Measurable improvements in community-level data reflecting better health outcomes, decreased chronic disease rates, and overall well-being
- The default setting of our systems leads to good health
- Residents actively engage with their neighborhoods because their surroundings are safe and healthy
Early Education
The Change We Hope to See
- More children arriving at kindergarten ready to learn
- More 3rd graders meet or exceed grade level benchmarks for school success
- More 8th graders meet or exceed grade-level benchmarks for school success
- Less student absenteeism
- Children and Families have a higher sense of belonging within their unique educational attainment journey
Nonprofit Excellence
The Change We Hope to See
- More effective leaders creating lasting impact in organizations, within their service sector, the larger nonprofit sector, and the community.
Christ-Centered Communities
The Change We Hope to See
- Empowered communities demonstrating positive and measurable change in quality of life and quality of place.
- Measurable improvements in community-level data reflecting key areas such as health, education, employment, and economic mobility.
- People are equipped and empowered to lead flourishing lives.
- Christians actively engaged to demonstrate and proclaim the gospel with missional and cultural competency.
Requirements
All applicant organizations must be recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and further defined as public charities 509(a)(1), also known as 170(b)(1)(1A) groups. Secular and faith-based nonprofit organizations, including churches, are eligible for funding. Faith-based organizations, including churches, are legal nonprofit entities which have either their origin in a religious organization or have been founded by individuals who share a purpose, all of which have a primary mission to further Christian principles and practices through programs and services of philanthropic good works.
Funding consideration will be given to applicant programs and initiatives serving within the Foundation’s 14 county service region:
Indiana - Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick
Illinois - Gallatin, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White
Kentucky - Henderson
Tips
Plan ahead: Applicants should have a clear sense about what results or outcomes they expect to see from of their project. Outcomes are changes in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, conditions, etc., in people served, in the organization or in broader systems.
Know the Foundation: Welborn provides a Path to Impact for each priority funding area to help describe our desired outcomes and ultimate community impact. See Paths to Impact for Early Education, Healthy Communities, Christ-Centered Communities and Nonprofit Excellence.
- Make sure you review each of the funding priorities and measurable outcomes prior to starting a new application.
- Please read each question carefully to ensure all points are addressed.
- The preferred browser for our grants management system is Safari or Google Chrome.
- If you have computer trouble, try the following steps – clear your cache, shut down your browser and reopen, try a different browser, or log out and try to log in again.
Restrictions
The following program and project areas will generally not be considered for funding:
- Individuals are not eligible for funding; only organizations meeting the eligibility requirements above.
- Establishment of, or contributions to a foundation, endowment, trust or permanent interest-bearing account, except for specific project or program grants.
- Propaganda or attempt to influence specific legislation or public election.
- Organizations not in compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations regarding discrimination.
- Government agencies reporting to an elected or appointed official, (except for schools governed by citizens boards).
- Fundraising events or annual fund drives.
Evaluation & Reporting Requirements
- Align with Welborn’s funding priorities
- Address community systemic issues related to our funding priorities
- Utilize an effective evaluation plan for continuous learning and demonstrating impact
Prospective Applicants
- Mission aligned with Welborn’s priorities
- Collaborative
- Working towards impact
- Leadership/governance prioritize continuous learning
- Diverse board and staff; reflective of the community being served
- Fiscally responsible
Evaluation & Reporting
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Additional or unique steps will be communicated after award.
2025 Partnership Opportunities
For 2026, our grant partnerships will focus on the area Healthy Communities (including Upgrade) & Early Education through a “by invitation” approach. Invitations for 2026 partnerships have been extended.
Opportunities for partnership in our Christ-Centered Communities focus areas will occur in 2027.
Each partnership cycle provides the opportunity for funding consideration as well as capacity building through our Nonprofit Excellence focus area.
Are you interested in building your and/or your organization’s capacity for impact? Check out the resources, training opportunities, and regional data available through Grow.
Grant Application Preview
The application portal will officially open early January, 2024.
The links below will allow you to preview the questions in preparation for the opening date.
Grant Cycles
Our 2024 Grant Cycle is currently open.
Find grant cycle resources here.
The application window will close on January 31 at 5:00p.
Nonprofit Excellence
As part of our grant cycle processes, we evaluate the unique needs of each nonprofit organization to determine if, when, where, and how customized capacity building opportunities and resources can be developed.
Christ-Centered Living
Is your primary interest to transform the community with the life-changing love of Christ?
Next CCL grant cycle opening January 2025
Healthy Eating & Active Living
Is your primary interest to promote a lifestyle of health?
The HEAL Grant Cycle is closed as of January 31.
Early Learning
Is your primary interest to prepare children birth to age 8 for a lifetime of learning?
The Early Learning Grant Cycle is closed as of January 31.