Heart of Indiana United Way (HIUW) proudly announced the awarding of significant grant funding, totaling over 1.4 million for the next two years at the annual Grants and Gratitude event held on June 11 at Ivy Tech in Muncie. This year’s grants were distributed among 47 organizations across five counties, supporting initiatives in Community Resilience, Read & Achieve, and the THRIVE Network to bolster local communities in Madison, Delaware, Henry, Randolph, and Fayette counties.
The event not only recognized the new grant recipients but also honored four outstanding organizations and individuals whose extraordinary support during last year’s campaign significantly advanced HIUW’s mission.
The awards presented were:
• CenterPoint Energy Foundation – Spirit of United Way Award
• Karen Tuttle, First Merchants Bank – United Way Workplace MVP
• Unified Group Services – Changemaker Award
• George and Frances Ball Foundation – Community Builders Award
“These remarkable individuals and organizations have gone above and beyond in their commitment to our community. Their dedication is a shining example of how collective efforts can create substantial change,” said Jenni Marsh, CEO and President of Heart of Indiana United Way.
Grants totaling $276,000 will support 27 organizations under Community Resilience; $223,000 will enhance efforts of 11 organizations in Read & Achieve; and $201,000 will assist 9 organizations in the THRIVE Network. Notably, 15 new organizations received funding this year, reflecting the success of efforts to make the grant process more accessible and equitable.
Jenni Marsh added, “We are directing these funds to where they are most needed and where they will have the greatest impact. Our goal is not just to aid but to transform, ensuring every individual in our communities has the opportunity to thrive.”
Beyond the two-year grants, HIUW has actively implemented several grant-funded programs targeting specific needs to support children and families locally. Initiatives include Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Operation Weatherization, Talking is Teaching, Book Giveaways, Literacy Paths in local parks, Covering Kids and Families for healthcare enrollment, and others.
The event also marked the inaugural awards from the Equity Advancement Fund, a collaborative effort with the Community Foundations of Delaware, Henry, Randolph, Madison, and South Madison, distributing five $2,000 grants to foster equity within the community in the first quarter of 2024.
Adding to the impact, HIUW has successfully led the efforts for four of our counties to receive Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funding from FEMA, contributing an additional $107,840.00 to the total invested in HIUW’s five counties this year.
Community Resilience 2-year Grant Recipients:
• 8Twelve Coalition
• A Better Way
• Alternatives
• Anderson Housing Authority
• Christian Ministries
• Delaware County CASA
• Fayette County Community Voices
• Firefly
• Habitat for Humanity Madison County
• Home Savers
• House of Ruth
• Little Red Door
• Madison County CASA
• Meals on Wheels
• Muncie Mission
• Muncie OUTreach
• Negasi Gardens
• Open Door
• Outfitters
• Recovery Café Muncie
• Salvation Army
• Second Harvest
• St. Vincent de Paul
• The Gathering of the Queens
• The Shelter
• Urban Light
• Whitely Community Council
Read & Achieve 2-year Grant Recipients:
• Ball State Muncie P3
• Bev’s Kindergarten Prep
• Boys and Girls Club
• Huffer Memorial Children’s Center
• Motivate our Minds
• Muncie BY5
• Precious Hearts
• Randolph County YMCA
• Ross Community Center
• South Meridian Church
• United Day Care Center
THRIVE Network 2-year Grant Recipients:
• Anderson Impact Center
• EcoRehab
• Grace Horizon
• MONEY Ministries
• Operation Love
• PathStone Corporation
• Project Leadership
• The Journey Home
• YWCA
Equity Advancement Fund First Quarter 2024 Grant Recipients:
• Anderson Education Foundation
• Brothers2Brothers
• InerG Impact
• Lightkeepers of Henry County
• Madison Co SURE
For further details, please visit www.heartofindiana.org.