Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund
With hardship, there is always hope.
The Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund was launched on March 13, 2020, to help ensure individuals, children and families in need are supported during this pandemic. United Way of Central Indiana and a coalition of partners are working with the human services sector to identify these immediate needs and make emergency funds available to organizations working directly with vulnerable populations.
Funding Partners
The Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF) is a community fund established by 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 to support human services organizations and the individuals and families they serve who are affected directly and indirectly by the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis.
United Way of Central Indiana is administering C-CERF and is bringing its substantial expertise to this effort. Thank you to all those who made a gift to help our neighbors in this time of uncertainty and unprecedented need.
Announcements & Updates:
- On June 30, the Task Force announced a fourth and final round of funding to non-profits located in Marion County. 48 organizations will receive grants totaling more than $3.9 million, specifically focused on helping those struggling with mental health caused by isolation and stress; food access for individuals with lost income; and other underserved populations with special focus on the African American community.
- On May 12, the Task Force announced a third wave of grants to 56 organizations in Marion County focused on providing basic needs including shelter, food, utility assistance, childcare, transportation, and legal services (for eviction and unemployment insurance appeals), with a specific emphasis on organizations assisting communities of color, refugees and immigrants, and LGBTQ+ communities. Click here to see where C-CERF has delivered more than $15.8 million to 100 of our Central Indiana non-profit partners.
- On April 7, the Task Force of the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund announced a second wave of grants to 32 human service organizations in the six-county region.
- Lilly Endowment grants more funding to United Way. On April 1, Lilly Endowment announced $33.5 million in new grants to United Ways all across the state to help communities respond to the COVID-19 crisis. In that amount, $3.5 million was granted to United Way of Central Indiana to specifically support community-based organizations serving the basic needs of residents in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks and Morgan counties.
- United Way is #INthistogether. United Way of Central Indiana is proud to stand with Governor Holcomb and a distinguished roster of corporate partners, nonprofit organizations and individuals for the recently announced #INthistogether statewide campaign to focus on the importance of social distancing. To participate, go to INthistogetherCampaign.com and click the contact under Get IN Touch to join the coalition of community partners.
- The Task Force of the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund announced a first wave of grants to 46 human service organizations in the six-county region on March 24, 2020.
- As of today, nearly $24 million has been donated to the Fund. 100% of all donations to the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund’s website are granted directly to organizations who are serving those in need due to the pandemic.
Want to volunteer?
We are working with community-based organizations on appropriate volunteer opportunities that would be essential to serving the community. If you’re interested in volunteering, click here.
Need Help?
If you reside in Central Indiana and need help, you can call 2-1-1 to get connected to services. For faster service, visit IN211.org.
The Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund founding partners are 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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers on the COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund and about how you can get involved and support those impacted by COVID-19 in Central Indiana.
About the Fund:
The Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund was launched on March 13, 2020, to support human services organizations and the individuals and families they serve who are affected directly and indirectly by COVID-19.
The coronavirus is not just a health crisis. It’s an economic crisis, and the depth and magnitude of its spread is uncertain. At United Way of Central Indiana, we are committed to keeping you up-to-date on the unprecedented effort to help our most vulnerable populations during this crisis.
Access up-to-date information representing each of United Way’s six-county service areas below:
For more information on COVID-19 updates at the Governor’s Office, visit the website for the State of Indiana.
For more information about FSSA guidance for various programs and stakeholders regarding COVID-19, please visit their website.
For updates and more information on COVID-19 at the global and national level, refer to Center for Disease Control or the World Health Organization.