United Way of Central Indiana Announces First Round of Basic Needs Fund Grant Recipients

$4 million in total granted to 47 community-based organizations to address housing, food, health and transportation access for thousands of struggling households United Way of Central Indiana today announced the first round of grant recipients of the Basic Needs Fund. More than 237,000 central Indiana households  are either living in poverty or are struggling to make ends meet. The Basic Needs Fund is one of three new United Way of Central Indiana impact initiatives announced earlier this year that will address poverty in our region by partnering with community-based organizations who align with the goals and metrics of the fund, which include housing, food , health, and transportation. Sixty-six organizations applied for grants from the Basic Needs Fund. A 12-member work group made up of United Way board members, staff and community volunteers recommended 47 organizations within United Way’s six-county region for funding. United Way’s Executive Committee of the Board approved $4 million in unrestricted grants from the Basic Needs Fund to these 47 organizations, ranging from $15,000 to $250,000, with the average grant award totaling $85,000. “The Basic Needs Fund gives community-based organizations an opportunity to use funds to achieve targeted outcomes ,” said Nate Lichti, senior director of the Basic Needs Fund. “The goal is to stabilize families in crisis, maintain services for our most vulnerable neighbors, and provide a hand up to those individuals ready and able to thrive, and not just survive.” Recipients are expected to regularly report and update United Way of Central Indiana on progress toward meeting the goals of the fund to achieve maximum impact for the individuals and families they serve. In turn, the Basic Needs Fund grants will generate emergency supports, create stabilizing services, and strengthen the safety net for an estimated 90,000 struggling individuals and families across Central Indiana who need improved access to food, housing, transportation and healthcare. 2019-2020 BASIC NEEDS FUND GRANTEES – ROUND ONEAlternatives IncorporatedAYS, Inc.Boone County Senior Services, Inc.Boys & Girls Club of NoblesvilleBoys & Girls Clubs of Hancock CountyBoys & Girls Clubs of IndianapolisCatholic Charities IndianapolisChildren's Bureau, Inc.Christamore House Family and Community CenterCommunity Alliance of the Far Eastside, Inc. (CAFE)Concord Neighborhood CenterThe Damien Center, Inc.Easterseals CrossroadsEdna Martin Christian Center, Inc.Families FirstFathers and Families CenterFay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center at Crooked CreekFlanner House of Indianapolis, Inc.Goodwill of Central & Southern IndianaHancock County Senior ServicesHendricks County Senior ServicesHorizon HouseHVAF of Indiana, Inc.Indiana Legal Services, Inc.Indiana Youth Group (IYG)Indianapolis Urban LeagueJohn H. Boner Community CenterThe Julian Center, Inc.La PlazaLittle Red Door Cancer AgencyLutheran Child & Family ServicesThe Martin Center-Sickle Cell InitiativeMartin Luther King Community CenterMary Rigg Neighborhood CenterMeals on Wheels of Hancock CountyNeighborhood Christian Legal ClinicNoblePACE, Inc. (Public Advocates in Community Re-Entry)PrimeLife EnrichmentReach for Youth, Inc.The Salvation ArmySecond Helpings, Inc.Sheltering WingsSt. Mary's Child CenterThe VillagesVolunteers of America Ohio & IndianaWellSpring Center Impact Fund Investments – What's NextImpact Funds comprise $8.5 million of United Way’s investments to community-based organizations this fiscal year. This is in addition to the $8.2 million in operating funds that all 84 community-based organizations accredited by United Way will receive over the next year. All accredited community-based organizations are eligible for a second round of grants this fall from the Basic Needs Fund. Later this 2019-20 fiscal year, United Way will grant funding from the Family Opportunity Fund and the Social Innovation Fund.United Way Community Investments for 2019-2020For the 2019-2020 fiscal year, United Way plans to invest more than $52 million in the community, which include unrestricted grants to community-based organizations and donor designations to nonprofits. Also included are programmatic investments in the Centers for Working Families, the Indy Preschool Scholarship Program, and targeted homelessness initiatives as well as grants from the Energy Assistance Program, the Winter Assistance Fund, the Capital Projects Fund and the Facilities Maintenance Fund.