Waterford Upstart is a free virtual program to help low-income kids prepare for kindergarten by providing them with a computer and internet access to receive at-home instruction in reading, science and math.

Low reading scores have impacted some Indiana students long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now an initiative from Hoosiers Read aims to reach kids at an earlier age by giving free monthly books to kids up to five years old in order to improve literacy across all 92 counties in the state.

Many say grassroots nonprofit groups can reach those in need faster and more successfully, but achieving sustainability can be a challenge.

Grants are now available for local initiatives that connect Indianapolis residents with long-term food and nutrition resources.

A report has found that more than half of Indianas nonprofit groups that provide services to those in need have cut back on their programs or reduced their capacity in recent months due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the report, between revenue declines and fundraiser cancellations, about 60% of not-for-profits have suspended or ended programs, such as summer camps, after-school programs, mentorships and volunteer programs.

The Shalom Community Center of Bloomington will hold its second annual Solidarity Sleepout on Friday.

A new $20 million Youth Program Resilience Fund will help nonprofits that serve youth in Indiana. The Lilly Endowment created the fund and the Indiana Youth Institute will help facilitate the grants.

The partnership will support local nonprofit organizations with $2 million in federal funding to purchase personal protective equipment and other safety supplies.

A group of Indianapolis nonprofits on Indianapolis' southside says the impact of the pandemic is still an issue for food insecurity in central Indiana.

Indiana's environmental organizations are struggling to stay afloat as the coronavirus pandemic has halted spring events that usually attract members and donors, which are crucial for their operations.