Launch – Down Payment Assistance

Are you a bank, credit union, insurance company or community development financial institution who is a member of FHLBank Indianapolis? Learn about our down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers here.

Launch – Down Payment Assistance is an annual program to offered to financial institutions who are members of FHLBank Indianapolis. The program provides assistance of up to $20,000 for down payment, closing and housing counseling costs, and buyer-broker's fee to first-time homebuyer households at or below 80% AMI.

Please note: FHLBank Indianapolis does not work directly with households. See the list below for participating members.

Participating Members

Homeownership Initiatives .GIVES

Participating members who have access to the .GIVES system can now log in right here. Participating members who do not currently have access to the .GIVES system must request access via the .GIVES registration form located below under "Launch essentials."

Log in to .GIVES

2026 Round

The 2026 round opens April 14. Member financial institution staff should view the program kickoff webinar for an overview of the upcoming round, including funding amounts, requirements and deadlines. 

The 2026 Launch program training is now available. Click here for the slide deck and see the recording below. 

Launch essentials

• How do first time homebuyers qualify for and access Launch funds?

  FHLBank Indianapolis does not work directly with households. Launch is offered to homebuyers through participating financial institutions that are members of FHLBank Indianapolis. You must work with a participating financial institution to apply for Launch funds.

  Basic eligibility requirements are listed below. To learn more, reach out to a participating member financial institution:

  • Be a first-time homebuyer and apply for first mortgage financing with a participating FHLBank Indianapolis member.
  • Provide the executed purchase contract for the property.
  • Provide evidence of household income.
  • Complete pre-purchase homebuyer education.
  • Contribute a minimum $500 toward the purchase transaction.
• How do FHLBank Indianapolis members access Launch funds?

  Member financial institutions must submit the Homeownership Initiatives Master Agreement and Member Registration forms linked here.

  Homeownership Initiatives Master Agreement

  FHLBank Indianapolis Member Registration

• Launch guidelines and forms
  • The Launch Guidebook is available in the Homeownership Initiatives .GIVES portal under "Resources"
  • The Real Estate Retention Agreement is available in the Homeownership Initiatives .GIVES portal under "Resources"
  • Income Calculation Workbook
• Launch informational materials

  Launch marketing flyer - English

  Launch marketing flyer - Español

  Note: You are able to insert your own institution's logo on the front and back side by opening the file in Adobe Acrobat and clicking the "insert image" placeholder. If you choose not to insert an image, this placeholder will not print. 

• Launch payoff forms

  Launch Payoff Workbook

• Launch training and .GIVES resources

  FHLBI .GIVES user guide

  Launch application submission guide for FHLBI.GIVES

  Launch Post-closing requirements and process guide

  FHLBI.GIVES adjustment requirements and process guide