FEMA Disaster Relief Grant for Indiana Nonprofits: What You Need to Know Now

Dani Arthur
4 hours ago
6 min read

If your nonprofit is trying to figure out whether the FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program is open yet for the flooding that hit Indiana early this month, here's the short answer: not yet — but it is moving fast, and right now is the smartest time to prepare.

Here's what's happened, what disaster relief funding is available today, and exactly how to position your organization so you're ready to move the moment the FEMA grant opens.

What's Happened So Far

The timeline has moved quickly:

August 11, 2026 — Severe storms, a derecho, tornadoes, and flooding struck central and southern Indiana. At least 1,000 people have been displaced from their homes, as well as hundreds of buildings destroyed.
August 13, 2026 — Governor Mike Braun issued a statewide disaster declaration, pushing this grant opportunity forward.
August 15, 2026 — President Donald Trump approved a Federal Emergency Declaration for 53 counties. This is narrower than a Major Disaster Declaration: it lets FEMA support immediate response work such as shelters, evacuations, water rescues, but it does not open the Public Assistance reimbursement grant on its own.
August 17, 2026 — Indiana opened the State Disaster Relief Fund for individuals, offering emergency grants of up to $5,000 for essentials like clothing and uninsured medical devices. Governor Braun also announced the state was preparing to formally request a Major Disaster Declaration within the next 24–48 hours, with full damage assessments expected to take another 7–10 days.
As of August 21, 2026, That Major Disaster Declaration request is still in process. No approval has been confirmed yet, however with it being on the horizon it is time to get prepared.

What This Means for the FEMA Public Assistance Grant

The FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program is the reimbursement grant that helps governments and eligible nonprofits recover the cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairing or replacing disaster-damaged facilities. This is an amazing opportunity that takes the added stress off churches and nonprofits that are trying to recover after the flooding. This grant requires a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance, with specific counties formally designated as eligible.

That step hasn't happened yet for the August 2026 flooding, which means:

Applications are not open yet. Governments and nonprofits currently cannot submit Public Assistance applications for the August 2026 flooding until the designation comes through.
A separate, earlier disaster is still active. If your organization was affected by the March 30–April 9, 2025 storms and flooding (federally designated DR-4882-IN), that's a different, already-declared disaster. Nonprofits and local governments in the declared 25 counties can still pursue the existing PA process. That declaration does not cover the new August flooding.

What State Disaster Relief Aid IS Available Right Now

While the Major Disaster Declaration moves through the pipeline, a few resources are already active:

State Disaster Relief Fund (individuals only) — This provides emergency grants up to $5,000 for essentials like clothing and uninsured medical devices. Apply here. This fund covers individuals and families, not organizations.
211 — Hoosiers can call 211 to report needs and get connected with available resources in their area.
Once a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance is granted, eligible governments and nonprofits in newly designated counties will follow the standard PA process: submitting a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) through FEMA's Grants Portal, then project applications.

How to Apply Once the Public Assistance Grant Opens

When the declaration comes through and your county is designated, here's the process:

Contact your County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) first. They coordinate with IDHS and FEMA and are your fastest source of local, up-to-date information.
Create an account in FEMA's Grants Portal (grantee.fema.gov) and submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to establish eligibility.
Submit your project application(s) once eligibility is confirmed, detailing the damage, the work needed, and supporting documentation you have collected.
Go through review. FEMA and IDHS check for completeness, eligibility, and compliance. This includes environmental and historic preservation reviews for work like ground disturbance or building modifications. Projects under $131,000 are handled directly with FEMA; projects of $131,000 or more also go through IDHS Public Assistance review before funds are obligated.
Sign a funding agreement covering the terms, conditions, and reporting requirements.
Document everything as work is completed, tracking actual costs and coordinating with IDHS to formally close out the project.

Remember: this is a reimbursement grant. Your organization pays for eligible work upfront, then submits documented costs for reimbursement. On average, this is a 75% federal / 25% applicant cost-share split.

What to Watch Out For

County designation matters, a lot. Being one of the 53 counties under the current Emergency Declaration does not guarantee your county will be designated for Public Assistance later. Designation depends on documented damage meeting FEMA's thresholds. Always confirm eligibility once the declaration is announced, don't assume it.

Don't confuse this with individual assistance. If people in your community are personally affected as homeowners, renters, or through uninsured losses, that's the separate Individual Assistance / State Disaster Relief Fund track, not the Public Assistance grant your organization applies for.
This is reimbursement, not upfront funding. Your organization needs to pay for eligible work first and document it thoroughly before FEMA reimburses its share. Plan your cash flow accordingly and document all of your receipts. Given that roughly 75% of eligible nonprofits lack the liquidity to front reimbursable costs, it’s important to recognize that alternative avenues—such as Dominion—can help organizations cover expenses before grant funds arrive.
Nonprofits have a specific eligibility bar. You'll need a current IRS determination letter showing 501(c), (d), or (e) status, or state documentation substantiating nonprofit status. Have this ready now.
The clock may move fast once it starts. Based on the state's own timeline, a Major Disaster Declaration could arrive within the next couple of weeks. Organizations with documentation ready can move immediately while others may lose valuable time.

How to Prepare Your Nonprofit Now Before the Disaster Relief Grant Opens

You don't have to wait for the official announcement to get ready. Do this today:

Document the damage immediately. Take dated photos and video of every affected building, piece of equipment, and area of your property, even if you're not sure you'll qualify. Keeping a detailed record helps strengthen your application and presents your need to the funder. It is best to do this now as documentation only gets harder as cleanup begins.
Track every dollar spent on emergency response and cleanup. All receipts for debris removal, emergency repairs, protective measures, contractor invoices, and staff or volunteer overtime. Costs from the start of the incident period may be reimbursable, but only if documented.
Organize your nonprofit status documentation. Locate your current IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (or applicable 501(c), (d), or (e) status) now and request a copy from the IRS or your state registry if you can't find it.
Register for a FEMA Grants Portal account now. You don't need an active declaration to create one, so it’s best to get this administrative step out of the way early to prevent any hiccups when it is time to submit your application.
Build your relationship with your County EMA. They're the connective tissue between your organization, IDHS, and FEMA. Reach out now and ask to be kept informed.
Assign an internal point person. PA applications require sustained follow-through: documentation, information requests, and tracking a project to close out. Decide now who owns this.
Watch for the announcement, then move fast. Monitor the IDHS Disaster Declarations page or call IDHS at 317-232-2222. The moment your county is designated, be ready to submit your Request for Public Assistance without delay.

The Bottom Line

In just over a week, the August 2026 flooding has already moved through a statewide declaration, a federal Emergency Declaration, and an open State Disaster Relief Fund for individuals. A request for a Major Disaster Declaration is in motion, and a decision could come within the next couple of weeks.

The FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program isn't open yet for this event, but the nonprofits that spend this waiting period documenting damage, tracking costs, and getting their paperwork in order will be the ones ready to act the moment it is.

Exousia is always here to help. Getting grant-ready can feel like a lot to manage on top of everything else your organization is juggling right now, and you don't have to do it alone. From organizing documentation and tracking eligible costs to navigating the Request for Public Assistance and writing strong, fundable project applications, Exousia’s grant writing professionals can walk alongside your nonprofit at every step of the process.

Reach out to jasminesettle@exousiagroup.com or call 270-604-7162 and set a meeting with one of our professionals today so we can help you get positioned to act the moment the grant opens.