The Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative (IAAQLI) is inviting proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations to support and grow Black-owned businesses in Marion County, Indiana. This funding opportunity is aimed at strengthening the Black business ecosystem in Indianapolis by providing support to both start-up ventures and mature businesses.
The initiative is being led by the Indianapolis Urban League in partnership with the National Urban League, the African American Coalition of Indianapolis, and several other community and institutional partners. The goal is to foster economic empowerment, long-term sustainability, and generational wealth within the Black community.
This grant opportunity features a dual-track structure. One track focuses on creating a loan fund for mature Black-owned businesses with strong potential for expansion, job creation, and revenues exceeding $250,000 annually. These businesses may be eligible for loans up to $50,000. The second track supports start-ups through low-interest microloans or grants of up to $5,000 for businesses that show potential to reach $100,000 in annual revenue.
Mature businesses may also receive grant-funded technical assistance, infrastructure support, and strategic investments to scale their operations. Applicants may request up to $300,000 in funding for a two-year grant period. A portion of the funds—between 10–20%—can be used for administrative or overhead expenses.
For start-up support, at least 90% of awarded funds must go directly to loan issuance. For mature business growth, funds must be used for activities such as technical assistance, scaling business operations, or infrastructure improvements.
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities, including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, workforce development agencies, healthcare providers, and community-based groups. Priority will be given to African American-led organizations that are actively serving Black communities in Marion County.
Applicants can apply alone or as part of a collaboration. If submitting a joint proposal, letters of support or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must outline each partner’s role, experience, and contributions. While partner organizations do not have to be African American-led or nonprofits, preference is given to those based in Indiana, especially in Indianapolis.
Applicants should include a plan with clear milestones, outcome tracking, and collaborative team structures. Strong emphasis is placed on cross-sector collaboration and program evaluation.
Additional eligibility requirements include at least three years of operational history, a minimum of $250,000 in annual revenue from the most recent fiscal year, and a proven track record as a previous IAAQLI grant recipient with capacity to manage growth-focused initiatives. The deadline to apply is August 11, 2025.
For more information, visit IAAQLI.
