Grants support historic African American sites

Standiford “Stan” Cox, who died in February 2019, joined Eli Lilly and Co. in 1957 as its first Black chemist and was an advocate for the preservation of African American heritage sites. During his lifetime, he established two funds with Central Indiana Community Foundation, one in his name and one to honor his parents.

The Standiford H. Cox Fund supports the restoration, preservation, operation and ongoing maintenance of African American historic sites in Indiana. The Dovie Stewart Cox & Chester A. Cox Sr. Memorial Fund provides support for Lost Creek Settlement near Terre Haute, one of the state’s earliest settlements of free people of color.

In 2023, the fund awarded $215,000 to 16 projects, including cleaning and repair of 235 African American tombstones at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis and painting the clock tower at New Albany’s Town Clock Church, which once served as an Underground Railroad stop.

Since its inception in 2020, the Standiford H. Cox Fund has made grants to more than 50 projects totaling over $700,000.

In addition to grants for capital improvements, CICF also distributes planning grants on an ongoing basis for architectural or engineering services and supports other projects to document Black heritage in Indiana.

Applications for Cox Funds grants are due by April 1. Groups interested in applying for a grant from the Cox Funds should contact Indiana Landmarks at coxfunds@indianalandmarks.org.

Non-profit organizations with active 501(c)3 status and religious organizations are welcome to apply.