Innovation

Update

May 20, 2025

Last year the Meridian Foundation honored six more nonprofits as Arago Honor recipients for innovation. This group of nonprofits share $122,000 in varying amounts. The small award program has been shining a light on levels of disruptive innovation since it began in 2021 and now has recognized 32 nonprofits.

In 2025 we are planning to repeat our innovation discovery process using a simpler short inquiry form as a first step, to lessen the burden on applying nonprofits and the foundation. This new short inquiry form for self-applying innovative nonprofits will begin the same due diligence process used in previous years by the Meridian Foundation.

There is no deadline for submitting the short inquiry form as we are using a ”rolling” application process. We would like to receive all short inquiry forms (on Google drive) prior to September 15. Access to the short inquiry form posting is on the Apply Now tab above. A pdf to view the questions before applying is here. Additional information has been updated on this website on the Basic Concepts, Innovation and Process tabs to reflect the new first step.

After submitting the short inquiry form, innovating nonprofits will be invited to go further in the discovery process for an Arago Honor Award by the Meridian Foundation.

The 2025 process will include: a site visit; completing a longer application (also on Google drive); more reviews by volunteer readers using a standard form; four or less project-specific questions sent to the innovating nonprofit, plus validating financial data; and a celebratory zoom call confirming selection and funding amount. Announcement of the innovating cohort will continue as in previous years, as will the case study documenting best practices.

Please send an email to indymeridianfoundation@gmail.com if you have specific questions. We look forward to finding new creative and innovative solutions solving community issues in 2025!