New Grants Will Help Indiana Youth-Serving Organizations Sustain Programs and Build Capacity
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) has awarded 168 grants, which total more than $40 million, to youth-serving organizations across Indiana to help them sustain and strengthen their work with Hoosier youth.
IYI made the grants in connection with Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI), an initiative Lilly Endowment Inc. launched in 2023. The initiative seeks to help youth-serving organizations working throughout the state improve their abilities to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people, ages five through 18.
“Young people thrive when they have access to youth-serving organizations that are consistent, reliable, and equipped to meet their needs,” said Dr. Tami Silverman, President and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute. “These organizations play a vital role in supporting young people across Indiana, yet too often we underinvest in the stability and capacity they need to sustain that work. This grant will help organizations strengthen their foundations, so they can continue providing dependable, high-quality support for kids over time.”
The grants range from $8,435 to $500,000 and will support organizations that provide a broad range of programs and services related to youth development. Offerings include youth employment, college preparation, STEM education, art therapy, health and wellness activities, grief counseling, leadership and character development, foster care support, outdoor education, tutoring, mentoring, and before- and after-school enrichment.
Grantees will use this funding to sustain effective programs and develop capacities such as evaluation, fundraising, marketing, technology, as well as staff and board development. See the grants list here.
Grant-funded projects will work to:
- Support youth through continuation of programming supported by the original SYPI grant in tutoring, mentoring, mental health, behavioral health, after school programming, and youth enrichment and engagement activities
- Strengthen organizational capacity through improved systems, tools, and programs to ensure operational success
- Retain staff through increased opportunities for professional development and salary support
- Build for long-term success through fundraising and program sustainability planning
IYI will walk alongside participating organizations by providing technical assistance and other support through webinars, consulting, convenings, trainings, and office hours.
“When organizations strengthen their capacity, leadership, and long-term resilience, they are better positioned to serve young people today and remain a trusted resource for years to come,” said Silverman.
The funding builds on SYPI grants Lilly Endowment awarded in 2023 which helped youth-serving organizations across Indiana strengthen programs that promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people ages five through 18. Since then, Lilly Endowment has made grants to IYI to provide funds for youth-serving organizations in Indiana through the SYPI initiative. The initiative aligns with IYI’s statewide work to increase the capacity and effectiveness of youth-serving organizations.
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About Indiana Youth Institute
Indiana Youth Institute’s mission is to improve the lives of all Indiana children by strengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities that are focused on kids and youth. IYI is Indiana’s premier source for high-quality data on child well-being and data-informed action to address challenges Hoosier children face. It leads the FIVE by 50 vision as a connector and convenor to ensure that every child will have a network of five caring, supportive adults in their life by the year 2050. Visit iyi.org to learn more.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion.
