INDIANAPOLIS -- A number of Marion County school corporations have received grant funding from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation aimed at increasing college enrollment.
According to the foundation's website, the College Matters program, an $14 million grantmaking initiative through the foundation, began in December 2023. The program's aim is to reverse the decline in college enrollment in Marion County.
School corporations in Marion County were invited to apply for $20,000 planning grants to create four-year plans to increase college enrollment. The grantees then submitted proposals for additional grants to implement their respective plans.
The following school corporations were given funds by the foundation in September to begin implementing their plans:
- Franklin Township Community School Corporation - $1.5 million
- Indianapolis Public Schools - $1.5 million
- MSD of Warren Township - $1.47 milloin
- MSD of Wayne Township - $1.5 million
- Victory College Prep - $1.5 million
Officials said on the website that the school corporations will begin to implement their plans this year and are expected to continue the efforts through the 2027-28 school year. A portion of the funding is expected to be used by the school corporations to develop long-term sustainability plans.
Through the College Matters program, other Marion County public schools, along with community organizations, have received grants to support students to complete the state's new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, mandate.
The foundation awarded $3.25 million in grants to 37 Marion County high schools within 17 school corporations, as well as other entities, to help them meet the FAFSA mandate:
- Beech Grove City Schools - $160,000
- Christel House Indianapolis - $160,000
- Goodwill Foundation of Central and Southern Indiana - $200,000
- Herron Classical Schools - $200,000
- Indianapolis Public Schools - $240,000
- Irvington Community Schools - $145,500
- KIPP Indy Public Schools - $150,000
- MSD of Decatur Township - $200,000
- MSD of Lawrence Township - $240,000
- MSD of Pike Township - $200,000
- MSD of Warren Township - $240,000
- MSD of Washington Township - $177,750
- MSD of Wayne Township - $240,000
- Perry Township Schools - $240,000
- Phalen Leadership Academies - $150,000
- Purdue Polytechnic High School - $160,000
- Victory College Prep - $150,000
Officials said the amount of grant funding was awarded based on a school's organization type and total enrollment of high school seniors.
Four Marion County community organizations also received grants totaling $1.35 million over three years to support students in exploring, enrolling in and financing college. Those organizations include:
- Center for Leadership Development - $300,000
- Indiana Black Expo - $300,000
- Indiana Latino Institute - $450,000
- Indianapolis Urban League - $300,000