Indianapolis Urban League announces grants for Black quality of life initiative

Money for organizations engaged in quality of life improvements for Black people in Marion County has been awarded.

In 2020 after a summer of social justice protests, The Indianapolis Urban League announced a $100 million gift to the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative. It seeks to make significant investments in employment, health, education, business opportunity, and housing.

Indianapolis Urban League president Tony Mason said the first round of more than $21 million in grants is targeted.

“To Black-led, Black-serving community organizations to address critical needs and solutions facing African Americans in the community,” Mason said.

This first round of money will reach 52 local and nonprofit organizations. The funding was given to the National Urban League by the Lilly Endowment and a second round of grants will open later this year.

The announcement comes after extensive community engagement and input to assess need and opportunity. Mason said it has been a process.

“We’re thankful that you’ve joined us and that you’ve been patient with us through this journey so far,” Mason said. “We know that our work is just beginning.”

The initiative aims to address years of historic, place based inequity for Black residents in Indianapolis.

Grants in the first round of funding are to the following organizations:

Category: Technical Skill Development & Employability
Flanner House of Indianapolis $250,000
Martin University $250,000
Community Alliance of the Far East Side (CAFÉ) $250,000
Edna Martin Christian Center (EMCC) $250,000
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) $250,000
Fathers and Families Resource Research Center, Inc. $250,000
Ivy Tech Foundation $250,000

Category:  Health & Wellness: Food Justice and Quality Options
Center of Wellness for Urban Women $285,276
Felege Hiywot Center, Inc. $300,000
Flanner House of Indianapolis $300,000
Kheprw Institute $300,000

Business & Entrepreneurship:  Capacity Building
Indiana Black Expo $300,000
Indy Black Chamber of Commerce $500,000
Kheprw Institute $500,000
She Event Indy, Co. $250,000
Northwest Vision Development Center $150,000

Business & Entrepreneurship:  Equity
Edna Martin Christian Center $500,000
GangGang $333,800
Indiana Black Expo $200,000
Indy Black Chamber of Commerce $500,000
Flagship Enterprise Capital $500,000
Intend Indiana $500,000

Education:  Professional Development
Children’s Policy & Law Initiative of Indiana $300,000
Indiana Council on Educating Students of Color $382,206
Indiana Black Expo $  50,000
Eclectic Soul VOICES Corporation $170,100
Teach Plus Incorporated $400,000

Education:  Professional Development & Recruitment/Retaining Teachers & Early Childhood
A Learning Bee STEM PreK Academy $200,000
Judah Ministries $400,000
New Beginnings of Indianapolis $236,379
SBC Development Corporation/Purpose of Life Academy $400,000

Education:  Professional Development & Recruitment/Retaining Teachers
Educate ME Foundation, INC. $399,211
MSD of Washington Township Schools $230,000
MelanatED Leaders $  60,000

Education:  Recruitment and Retaining Teachers of Color
Indiana Black Expo $200,000
Teach for America Indianapolis $  40,000
Indiana University Foundation $400,000

Education:  Early Childhood Education
Martin University $400,000

Housing and Homeownership & Economic Mobility
Community Action of Greater Indianapolis $500,000
NeighborLink Indianapolis Foundation, Inc. $500,000
United Northeast Community Development Corporation $500,000

Housing and Homeownership: Racial Equity & Housing Development
Eastern Star Church Jewel Human Services Corporation $1,000,000
BUILD (Believers United in Local Development) CBDO $   752,000
Westside Community Development Corporation $   850,000
Martindale Brightwood Community Development
Corporation $   800,000
Intend Indiana $   126,600
United Northeast Community Development Corporation $   500,000
Flanner House of Indianapolis $1,000,000
IFF $1,000,000
Kheprw Institute $1,000,000
Pathway Resource Center, Inc. $1,000,000
Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership $1,000,000