Endowment Makes Capacity Building Support Grants to Indianapolis Human and Social Service Organizations

January 12, 2023
Contact: Judith Cebula
317.916.7327 | cebulaj@lei.org

Endowment makes capacity building support grants to Indianapolis human and social service organizations

Indianapolis – Lilly Endowment Inc. has approved $41 million in grants to help 28 human services organizations in Indianapolis strengthen their ability to assist individuals and families in Marion County who are facing a variety of challenges.

The three-year grants will help build operational capacity at 13 neighborhood community centers across the city, two organizations that provide support for immigrants and refugees and 13 organizations that help individuals and families facing issues such as food insecurity, housing instability, domestic violence and substance use disorder. The grants are designed to help organizations pursue their missions more effectively and improve quality of life for the thousands of people they serve in Indianapolis.

“Human and social services organizations play crucial roles in helping individuals and families who face significant financial and personal hardships,” said Ronni Kloth, the Endowment’s vice president for community development. “Indianapolis has a robust network of these organizations dedicated to helping people overcome challenges and begin to build satisfying and self-sufficient lives. These agencies help Indianapolis be a more compassionate and caring city, and we hope these grants help strengthen their ability to meet the increased demand for their critical services.”

The amounts of the grants – which vary depending on the annual operating budget of each organization, the number of individuals they serve and other factors – range from $200,000 to $4.5 million. Funds will be used during a three-year period. Recipients will use grant funds to extend their operating hours to provide greater flexibility and accessibility to clients, expand their programs, and add staff in critical areas, among other activities.

The Endowment has a history of supporting human and social services organizations working in Indianapolis. These efforts have included recent grants to such organizations to help them develop strategic approaches to their long-term financial stability and grants to help the organizations weather the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, through its initiative, Enhancing Opportunity in Indianapolis, the Endowment has funded highly collaborative strategies and programs to help residents living in or near poverty make progress toward achieving lasting economic self-sufficiency.

The following organizations, all based in Indianapolis, are receiving special capacity building support grants:

Community Centers

Christamore House | $1 million
Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE) | $1.4 million
Concord Center Association (Concord Neighborhood Center) | $1 million
Edna Martin Christian Center | $1.8 million
Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center at Crooked Creek | $1.3 million
Flanner House | $1.4 million
Hawthorne Social Services Association (Hawthorne Community Center) | $1 million
John H. Boner Community Center (John Boner Neighborhood Centers) | $4.5 million
La Plaza | $1 million
Martin Luther King Multi-Service Center (MLK Center) | $1 million
Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center | $1.1 million
Shepherd Community Center | $1,636,000
Southeast Community Services | $1.3 million

Immigration and Refugee Services

Exodus Refugee Immigration | $1.2 million
Immigrant Welcome Center | $200,000

Domestic Violence, Hunger Relief, Homelessness Prevention and Intervention

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion, and it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.