United Way of Central Indiana awards $1.2 million in grants to 33 nonprofits outside its accredited network
United Way of Central Indiana is awarding $1.2 million in grants to 33 nonprofits outside of its accredited partner network, the nonprofit announced Monday.
In all, $500,000 is being awarded from United Way’s Basic Needs Fund to 27 nonprofits, and $700,000 is being awarded from the Family Opportunity Fund to eight nonprofits. Two organizations are receiving grants from both funds.
This is the first time United Way of Central Indiana opened funding of this kind to non-accredited partners.
“Nearly 40% of Central Indiana households are living in, or one emergency away from, poverty,” said Shannon Jenkins, United Way’s vice president of impact. “These grants to non-accredited organizations, guided by United Way’s strategic aim of increasing and diversifying investment in under-resourced areas, will support operations, services and programming – and outcomes supporting more people and families throughout Central Indiana.”
United Way’s Basic Needs Fund focuses on safe and affordable housing, healthy food access, transportation and health services. The Family Opportunity Fund supports integrated programming that serves both youth and adults in the same household, aimed at improving the education, financial stability and well-being of the whole family.
In October, United Way invited nonprofits in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties not currently accredited with United Way to apply for grants.
Two committees composed of United Way staff, board members and volunteers from the community reviewed applications and selected the grant recipients. United Way received 16 applications for Family Opportunity funding and 64 for the Basic Needs Fund.
United Way’s work to award grants to nonprofits outside its accredited network stems from the organization’s new strategic plan, announced in 2023. To strengthen its role as a community partner, United Way wants to ensure it is investing in under-resourced communities disproportionately affected by poverty and reaching those most in need in all seven counties of its service area, across urban, suburban and rural communities.
"We are honored that United Way Central Indiana is entrusting Boone County Mentoring Partnership with this grant to enhance our programming as we continue to focus on growing and improving opportunities for youth through interpersonal connection and resources,” said Matt Wilson, executive director of Boone County Mentoring Partnership. “With this funding BCMP will continue helping youth realize their potential while also addressing growth opportunities for the parents and caregivers who may pursue ways to improve their family's overall livelihood. We recognize that helping parents and caregivers grow and improve their circumstances directly impacts children's hope, potential, perspective and priorities.
“When a child sees their parent or guardian improve their situation, they are more motivated to find ways to improve as well."
These are the Family Opportunity Fund grant recipients, the grant amount and the county in which the organization is headquartered:
Boone County Mentoring Partnership: $80,000 (Boone)
Child Care Answers: $80,000 (Marion)
Coburn Place Safehaven II, Inc.: $80,000 (Marion)
Indiana Latino Institute: $80,000 (Marion)
Latino Youth Collective: $80,000 (Marion)
Positive Character Girls: $80,000 (Marion)
Trinity Free Clinic: $140,000 (Hamilton)
Westminster Neighborhood Services: $80,000 (Marion)
These are the Basic Needs Fund grant recipients, the grant amount and the county in which the organization is headquartered:
accessABILITY Center for Independent Living: $25,000 (Marion)
Ascent 121: $25,000 (Marion)
Beyond Homeless: $20,000 (Putnam)
Brookside Community Development Corporation: $15,000 (Marion)
Centers of Wellness for Urban Women: $15,000 (Marion)
Community Action of Greater Indianapolis: $5,000 (Marion)
Desert Rose Foundation: $20,000 (Morgan)
Dove Recovery House for Women: $25,000 (Marion)
Family Promise of Hamilton County: $20,000 (Hamilton)
Fuller Center for Housing of Putnam County: $25,000 (Putnam)
Grace Care Center: $25,000 (Hamilton)
Habitat for Humanity of Boone County: $10,000 (Boone)
Heart and Soul Clinic: $15,000 (Hamilton)
Hope Healthcare Services: $25,000 (Hendricks)
Isaiah 117 House: $10,000 (Marion)
Janus Development Services: $25,000 (Hamilton)
Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County: $15,000 (Hamilton)
NeuroHope of Indiana: $15,000 (Marion)
New Life Food for Life: $10,000 (Putnam)
Peace Restored: $20,000 (Morgan)
The Caring Center: $15,000 (Boone)
St. Vincent de Paul Indianapolis Council: $25,000 (Marion)
Susters Inc.: $15,000 (Marion)
Talitha Koum Women’s Recovery House: $15,000 (Hancock)
Trans Solutions Research and Resource Center: $15,000 (Marion)
Trinity Free Clinic: $25,000 (Hamilton)
Westminster Neighborhood Services: $25,000 (Marion)