INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development are offering a new grant funding opportunity, the Quick Impact Placebased Grant Program (QUIP).

This matching program is open to community groups, local units of government and schools.

Funding of between $2,500 and $5,000 is available, with a 50-percent match required of cash or in-kind services.

“We recognize this is a fast turnaround, but have great faith these grants could provide the quick wins for communities to build upon or spark the initial conversations for local transformation and growth,” said IOTD Executive Director Mark Newman.

Examples of eligible projects include an “art alley,” a project to showcase community identity, enhancement of existing or underutilized public assets into a new or usable space, interactive life-sized games or game sheds for public use, public gathering spots, transformation of vacant storefronts or unique signage or identifiers.

“There are many eligible projects,” the press release says. “These dollars should be used to create a small change that spurs conversation and community engagement. The space should in some way be transformed for the better.”

Ineligible projects include administrative fees, demolition, events, food and drinks, alcohol, gaming and gambling, one-time use activities and products, greenery, public restrooms, salaries, spaces that are not open to the public, a small funding portion for a much larger project (example: request for $5,000 of a $75,000 project would be ineligible), taxes and WiFi.

Applications must be received in the OCRA office by 4 p.m. Friday, April 21. For more information, visit in.gov/ocra/quipgrant.htm.