June 21, 2024
Contact: Judith Cebula
317.916.7327 | cebulaj@lei.org

Grants Will Support Efforts to Address Gun Violence in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS – Lilly Endowment Inc. has approved grants to help 18 Indianapolis organizations in their efforts to reduce gun violence in the city. Ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, the grants are designed to help a variety of groups that include community centers, workforce development organizations, faith-based groups, and youth-serving organizations as they work to curb the number of incidents of gun violence in their respective Indianapolis communities.

These grants total $4.6 million and will fund efforts during the next two years that will focus on violence intervention.  Program approaches are varied and include outreach to individuals who have been affected by gun violence and/or others who are at high risk for becoming involved with gun violence.  The organizations plan to use the grants to strengthen mentoring, mental health counseling, job training, mediation and reconciliation and other programs, as well as efforts to provide a range of support for individuals during and after incarceration.

In 2022, the Endowment made pilot grants totaling $3 million to 13 of the 18 organizations receiving funds. Encouraged by their commitment and dedication, the Endowment will continue to help support those efforts and will support violence intervention programs for youth at five additional organizations.  These grants also will fund efforts to support the mental health, wellness and morale of staff and front-line workers who are engaged in violence intervention activities.

“Violence intervention programs play an important role in helping to ensure that Indianapolis is a safe, livable and caring community for all its residents,” said Ronni Kloth, the Endowment’s vice president for community development. “We are pleased to support the efforts of organizations dedicated to working to reduce violence in neighborhoods across Indianapolis.”

The following organizations are receiving grants (* denotes a new organization in this grantmaking program):

Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis *  |  $400,000
Brookside Community Development Corporation  |  $225,000
Community Action of Greater Indianapolis  |  $275,000
Eclectic Soul Voices Corporation  |  $225,000
Edna Martin Christian Center  |  $325,000
Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church  |  $100,000
Eskenazi Health Foundation  |  $500,000
Evolve International  |  $100,000
Flanner House of Indianapolis  |  $200,000
Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition  |  $250,000
Martin Luther King Multi-Service Center (MLK Center) *  |  $300,000
New Breed of Youth Mentoring Program *  |  $100,000
New Direction Christian Church  |  $100,000
Pathway to the Future Learning Center *  |  $150,000
Public Advocates In Community Re Entry  |  $500,000
Reach for Youth *  |  $200,000
Stop the Violence Indianapolis  |  $250,000
Workforce Inc. (RecycleForce)  |  $400,000

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and 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 the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion.