United Way of Central Indiana announced Monday it’s awarding $1.2 million in grants to 14 community organizations from the Social Innovation Fund.
The fund, one of five United Way impact initiatives, is designed to support nonprofits that are developing creative solutions to address needs in our communities.
Locally, Merchants Affordable Housing Corporation of Carmel will receive $36,000.
Merchants Affordable Housing Corp. for Tech Equity is a project that will bring together Merchants Affordable Housing Corp. residents from Braeburn Village Apartments on the far eastside with tech educators from Code Black Indy Inc. This partnership will culminate in the provision of comprehensive digital literacy courses for youth and technology certifications for those interested in pursuing a career in technology. The goal of the project is to address both educational attainment and access to opportunity, while also offering resources to meet basic needs. To increase access to community resources, different community organizations will be hosted on site.
With the funds, the organizations plan to combat homelessness; expand a nutrition program for Black people living with HIV; and support women in the welding industry, people affected by addiction and substance use disorder, and new and underrepresented farmers of color – just to name a few.
United Way received 114 letters of interest from organizations seeking grant funding and narrowed the field to 37 applicants, who were then asked to submit full applications. A workgroup composed of 23 people, including community members, United Way staff and board members, reviewed the applications and selected the grantees.
The 14 grant recipients received funding ranging from $25,000 to $143,000, for a total of $1.2 million. Roughly 5,000 people will be assisted because of the funding, United Way estimates.
“We could not be more excited for the impact this will make in the greater Central Indiana community,” said Jonathan Jones, United Way’s senior director of social innovation. “Through investing in new and sustainable initiatives in human services, our communities will be stronger, and our neighbors will be empowered for years to come.”
Here are the rest of the grant recipients for Central Indiana:
- Back on My Feet Indianapolis: $60,000
- Be Nimble Foundation: $118,000
- Brothers United: $95,000
- Centers of Wellness for Urban Women: $45,000
- Fight for Life Foundation: $143,000
- Growing Places Indy: $95,000
- Hope Academy: $25,000
- Indianapolis Legal Aid Society: $50,000
- Latinas Welding Guild Inc.: $143,000
- Overdose Lifeline Inc.: $60,000
- Pathway Resource Center: $143,000
- Project Azul: $85,000
- Sycamore Rehabilitation Services: $102,000