As shown on the ALICE and Poverty in Central Indiana dashboard, people across our region are in, or are one emergency away from, poverty. Though the challenges people face may differ by race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or even the place they call home, everyone deserves the resources and support they need to improve their wellbeing. With this in mind, United Way uses equity as a lens to shape our actions, including investing in organizations across our region that address needs for people facing historic and systemic barriers.

United Way also recognizes that systems and structures disproportionally impact communities of color in Central Indiana. Supporting community organizations and leaders of color can be a step toward correcting a legacy of racist, systemic underfunding and inadequate support by the public and private sectors. United Way is expanding its grantmaking to serve more diverse populations, strengthening the pipeline of leaders of color in the human services sector, and helping to remove obstacles for people of color to attain the quality of life everyone deserves.

Investments shown on this dashboard include funds from the COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF), a collaborative effort by community funders to support human services organizations in Central Indiana affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Founding partners and C-CERF Task Force members include Lilly Endowment Inc., Central Indiana Community Foundation (through the Glick Fund and Indianapolis Foundation), Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Richard M Fairbanks Foundation and United Way of Central Indiana.

The snapshot below contains information about ways United Way – in collaboration with its partners – is addressing equity through our actions in Central Indiana.