Program Overview
The Indiana Thriving Schools Challenge is a project based learning grants program for all Indiana K-12 schools. Project funding is available to schools in need of financial support, maximizing the opportunity for all schools in our community to participate in tackling sustainability. Selected schools will be eligible for up to $5,000 in funding to implement up to 3 new projects, as well as to improve upon or expand existing projects. The dedicated teachers and staff who champion the implementation of new projects at selected schools will receive a stipend of up to $1,000 with no strings attached.
Projects must be within the 3 Pillars of the ITSC program: School Gardens; Energy & Waste Reduction; Climate & Zero Waste Cafeterias. Funding can also be utilized for sustainability curriculum support for educators.
Priority will be given to projects emphasizing circular economy and civic engagement.
All schools must have students involved with implementation, generally known as a Green Team but can also be but not limited to an afterschool garden club, individual classroom, entire grade or entire school. Youth involvement is mandatory.
To ensure equitable distribution of funds we utilize the following considerations for funding priority: schools within historically underserved communities based on the percentage of students receiving Free and Reduced Meal assistance, demographics of the student body, median household income, proximity to grocery stores and more .
2024 Indianapolis Thriving Schools Challenge grant opportunity coming this Fall.
We strive to center youth voices and knowledge
Students from Purdue Polytechnic High School Schweitzer Center at Englewood cohort of ITSC 2021.
2022 Student Green Team from HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (4 TIME COHORT)
Background
In 2019 Earth Charter Indiana and the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability partnered to initiate the Indianapolis Thriving School Challenge. This program sprang from the city of Indianapolis's THRIVE Program to create more sustainable and resilient communities. Initially, the ITSC program not only distributed funding but certifications for schools starting and continuing to lead the charge in sustainability projects throughout Indianapolis.
Highlights of the ITSC program:
2019: The inaugural year of the Indianapolis Thriving Schools Challenge (ITSC) certified 53 green schools from all corners of Marion County, while granting funding for 31 schools totalling 51 unique sustainability projects.
2020: Earth Charter Indiana took over the program entirely, as well as adopted a two application round approach to enable more schools to participate.
2021: ITSC went statewide becoming the Indiana Thriving School Challenge, with our first school Danville Middle School
2022: ITSC was awarded a USDA NIFA Food and Service Learning Program grant supporting the School Garden Pillar and the implementation of the School Garden Liaison Initiative.