Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund grants $4,550,000 to 32 organizations in Central Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS – Today, the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund(C-CERF) made unrestricted grants totaling $4,550,000 to 32 community organizations in Boone, Hancock, Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties. Combined with the first round of grants made on March 24, C-CERF has distributed more than $11.8 million to 74 organizations in Central Indiana to date. C-CERF is an economic relief fund launched with significant, initial investments from founding partners Lilly Endowment Inc., Central Indiana Community Foundation (through the Glick Fund and The Indianapolis Foundation), Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, and United Way of Central Indiana. Since its establishment, it has grown to over $22 million with additional donations from the public. The C-CERF Task Force, which includes leaders from the funding partners, focused this round of grants on specific issues emerging as critical in the COVID-19 crisis. Those needs include:

an increased need for mental health services;

support and shelter for children in the child welfare system;

support for people with disabilities and their caregivers;

increased support for underserved communities, including LGBTQ, refugees and communities of color;

and continued critical assistance to food relief organizations.

 “Almost every hour, we’re seeing how the pandemic is disrupting more lives in significant ways,” said Ann D. Murtlow, president and CEO of United Way, which is administering C-CERF. “In this phase of grants, we’ve identified special needs for investment from C-CERF and community organizations that are ready to deploy funds to meet the needs of those they serve. These crucial needs include emergency shelter for children whose parents have been hospitalized and have nowhere to go and organizations that provide in-home caregivers for the disabled and elderly who simply can’t survive without them.” C-CERF Recipients and GrantsArc of Greater Boone County - $30,000Bosma Enterprises - $100,000Boys and Girls Club of Boone County - $20,000Children’s Bureau - $300,000DAMAR Services - $200,000Damien Center - $100,000Dove Recovery Center- $50,000Easterseals Crossroads - $100,000Exodus Refugee - $100,000Families First Indiana, Inc. - $250,000Foster Success - $50,000Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana - $750,000Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County - $50,000Groundwork Indy - $15,000Hancock County Food Pantry - $15,000Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition - $15,000Indiana Youth Group - $50,000Janus Developmental Services - $20,000Kheprw Institute - $75,000Lutheran Child and Family Services - $150,000Midwest Food Bank - $500,000New Hope of Indiana - $200,000Noble - $100,000Outreach - $50,000Progress House - $50,000Reach for Youth - $50,000Second Helpings - $750,000Sycamore Rehabilitation Services Hendricks County - $50,000Tangram - $200,000The Villages - $100,000Visually Impaired Preschool Services Indiana - $25,000Wellspring - $35,000 Next week, the C-CERF Task Force expects to invite nonprofit organizations to submit applications for future grant funding. More information will be available on or after April 13. To learn more or to donate to the C-CERF, text HELP2020 to 91999 or visit www.covid-19cerf.org. 100 percent of donations to the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund’s website will go directly to the organizations that are serving those in need due to the pandemic. 

### About the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF)In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a coalition of community funders launched an initial $16.5 million Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF) to support human services organizations in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, and Morgan counties during the crisis. This fund is governed by the C-CERF Task Force, which includes leaders from the founding partners: Lilly Endowment Inc., Central Indiana Community Foundation (through the Glick Fund and The Indianapolis Foundation), Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, and United Way of Central Indiana. For information and updates on C-CERF, visit www.covid19cerf.org. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jessica DiSanto | United Way of Central Indiana