14 nonprofits receive $1.2 million in grants from United Way of Central Indiana’s Social Innovation Fund

INDIANAPOLIS – United Way of Central Indiana announced today 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.

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's a look at the Social Innovation Fund grantees for 2021-2022, the amount they received and how they plan to use the funds:

Back on My Feet Indianapolis – $60,000

Back on My Feet Indianapolis takes a community-driven approach to combatting homelessness. Back on My Feet volunteers host morning walks/runs three times a week, and through this programming they help clients develop greater confidence and become part of a positive community. By restoring confidence, strength and self-esteem, individuals experiencing homelessness and overcoming addiction are better equipped to tackle the road ahead and move towards employment, secure housing and stable lives. With funding, programming and volunteer opportunities will be expanded. Through expansion they can increase the capacity of their staff and community partnerships.

Be Nimble Foundation – $118,000

Be Nimble Foundation takes a qualitative and quantitative approach to creating diverse and inclusive tech ecosystems, with the goal of closing the wealth gap for Black and Latinx communities through technology. In 2021, Be Nimble launched its most anticipated accelerator, Melon Ghost Kitchen and Food Entrepreneurship Accelerator, a ghost kitchen and virtual restaurant accelerator targeted to Black and Brown chefs. Melon has the goal of creating overhead-free restaurant concepts that are fully digital and built for scale. This is its second Social Innovation grant to support this work.

Brothers United – $95,000

As BU Wellness Network continues to develop programming and support for Black communities, they are seeking additional support to strengthen their comprehensive food and nutrition program specifically for Black people living with HIV and those at high risk of contracting HIV and their families living in Indianapolis. The Eat and Thrive program seeks to increase knowledge about healthy eating and enhance access to healthy food options within the city's food deserts. With funding they will expand Eat and Thrive by forming a community partner healthy eating committee, implementing a mail delivery of Thrive Boxes for participants, using a community kitchen in programming and education. These additional programs will increase knowledge about healthier nutrition options in Indianapolis.

Centers of Wellness for Urban Women – $45,000

Centers of Wellness for Urban Women is a grassroots community-based organization that addresses health disparities affecting African American women in Marion County. They engage urban women in holistic health programs with the goal of empowering them to become advocates for their health and families. For clients, Centers of Wellness for Urban Women tends to be the only resource for organized exercise, health education, culturally sensitive health provider referrals and access to stress-relieving conversations with other women. This outlet for sharing struggles with finances, relationships, micro-aggressions and daily survival has prompted more recognition of the need for mental health services and demand has increased. With funding, the organization will provide support for mental wellness by reducing stigma through engagement and awareness and identifying culturally sensitive providers. Co-pay assistance up to $25.00 per session for up to ten sessions will be available.

Fight for Life Foundation – $143,000

Fight for Life Foundation operates an evidence-based program, Building Dreams, to help students develop the social-emotional skills necessary for success in school and life. Through their proprietary Building Dreams App, they provide a complete system developed from the evidence-based Multi-Tiered System of Supports model. The resource combines social emotional learning curriculum with social emotional behavioral assessments, positive behavioral interventions and supports, data analytics and communication resources. With funding they will partner with the Paramount Health Data Project to help build out their data collection specific to school nurse visits. Fight for Life Foundation and the Paramount Health Data Project share a mission and passion for strong research within educational contexts and better understanding the social determinants of health. This work will allow Fight for Life Foundation to be the first educational SaaS platform in the country to partner with the Paramount Health Data Project and provide families data from the school nurses office in real time.

Growing Places Indy – $95,000

Growing Places Indy seeks support to expand their Urban Farm Incubator Program, Grow Getters, which aims to support new and underrepresented farmers of color in urban areas by providing access to land, mentoring, equipment, job training and business development assistance. The program will be expanded to include training in emerging farming technologies, including hydroponics, the art of gardening without soil. They will create a farm hub, which combines a food hub and co-op for alumni and local farmers who need additional support, with the overall goal to build a robust ecosystem of trained farmers, agricultural leaders, distribution channels and substantial business resources. The Farm Hub and Hydroponics programs will be the first of their kind in Indiana. These programs will reduce barriers for new, beginning and underrepresented farmers by providing them with the necessary preparation and resources to build a sustainable and prosperous urban farm business. This is its second Social Innovation grant to support this work.

Hope Academy – $25,000

As Indiana's only fully accredited, tuition-free, public charter high school for teens in recovery, Hope Academy provides a safe and sober environment for teens who want to be successful academically and in their recovery. Funding will support Hope Academy and IPS in developing a model that connects IPS students with substance use disorder to recovery supports rather than unproductive disciplinary measures such as suspension or expulsion that increase the likelihood the student will not graduate. Funding will also provide 30 teens with comprehensive Guiding Paths to Success programming to support them on their recovery journey, thereby increasing their engagement in academics and ensuring they graduate and are prepared to succeed. The program addresses the social, emotional and psychological needs of teens recovering from substance use disorders through mentoring, life and social skills development, family involvement, and sober, fun activities while providing individual, group and family therapy.

Indianapolis Legal Aid Society – $50,000

Indianapolis Legal Aid Society would like to create a one-stop shop for individuals to address both their legal and social service concerns. The collaboration between social workers and lawyers helps to create a stronger and more powerful support system for individuals seeking to gain economic and social stability. The legal problems low-income people experience revolve around basic needs such as housing, employment and transportation. If these problems are not addressed, this underserved population is at risk for homelessness, unemployment and family instability. Once a client meets with an attorney, they would have the option of meeting with the social worker.

Latinas Welding Guild Inc. – $143,000

Latinas Welding Guild has learned that skills aren't enough to keep a woman employed in the welding industry. Once women welders are trained, certified and hired, they'll likely still experience hostility or discrimination in the workplace. To increase diversity in the welding workforce, Latina’s Welding Guild offers specialized training for women welders and commitment from employers to an inclusive workplace. With additional funding, they will elevate their workforce development model to tackle both ends of welding workplace gender inequity: creating quality welding employees and sustaining safe, equitable and stable workplace environments for all welders. This vision will be accomplished by reorganizing their staffing model, ramping up training programs and facilitating a collaborative Equitable Employer Advisory Coalition.

Merchants Affordable Housing Corp. – $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.

Overdose Lifeline, Inc. – $60,000

Overdose Lifeline, Inc. is dedicated to helping individuals, families and communities affected by the disease of addiction and substance use disorder. With funding, Overdose Lifeline will establish and evaluate a new model of gendered residential recovery services. The Recovery Center will offer community services tailored to women designed to break intergenerational cycles of poverty and substance misuse delivered by multidisciplinary providers in an integrated system of comprehensive recovery support. The Recovery Center will provide a haven where pregnant and parenting women with substance misuse can heal and prepare for a life of self-sufficiency in a gendered community setting.

Pathway Resource Center – $143,000

Pathway's Mission is to provide training and resources to create opportunities that promote resident self-sufficiency while bridging the "digital divide," reducing welfare dependency and crime. Their program, the Micro Transit Model, focuses on reducing the transportation gaps to job sites and food accessibility for residents on the Far Eastside. The mobility request will be provided by Service on Demand Scheduling, five days a week, and provide opportunities for other mobility needs as requested, such as employer sites, employment interviews, grocery stores and food pantries.

Project Azul – $85,000

Project Azul's mission is to provide individuals with the flexible training and financial assistance needed to transition from unemployment or underemployment into full-time positions offering higher wages, access to benefits and a pathway to career advancement. The Manufacturing Workforce Development Training Program will provide people with individualized coaching, employer-demand skills training and job placement. This new program is designed to meet the needs of busy adults. Trainings are short in length, accelerated, and provide a quick turnaround to get into a better job that leads to further career growth.

Sycamore Rehabilitation Services – $102,000

Sycamore Rehabilitation Services/Hendricks County ARC, Inc. is seeking funding for a Work Experience Program that would expand current Vocational Rehabilitation Services for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Under the proposed program, Sycamore Services will provide opportunities for participants to gain skills and training and match them with employment opportunities based on their skills, interests and abilities. The program will expand and create partnerships with local businesses to match individuals with long-term jobs and economic and social stability.

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