Lilly Endowment Boosts Nonprofits to The Tune of $80M

Indianapolis-based Lutheran Child and Family Services has been awarded $7.5 million from Lilly Endowment.

Ten central Indiana nonprofits will share in $80 million in grants from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. The recipients, including Bosma Enterprises, Children’s Bureau Inc. and others, work with Hoosiers with disabilities or are focused on helping vulnerable children or youths. The grant, which range from $2.5 million to $10 million, will allow organizations to establish their own endowment or boost an existing one.

Vice President for Community Development Ace Yakey says "the staff and leadership of these agencies work every day to help children, adults and families who are among the most vulnerable residents in central Indiana. These grants don’t take the place of ongoing support for day-to-day operations. Instead, the funds will help the agencies build financial infrastructures that will position them better to weather financial challenges and serve more people more effectively."

Some of the nonprofits will use part of the funding on efforts including technology upgrades and improving employee recruitment and retention. Lilly Endowment says the grants are in line with commitments with organizations like United Way of Central Indiana to partner with charitable organizations helping people with disabilities and vulnerable young people.

Since 2015, Lilly Endowment has committed $280 million toward central Indiana charities’ long-term sustainability plans, including $100 million for 14 arts and cultural organizations in 2015 and $100 million for 15 low-income population-focused human services organizations in 2016.

This year’s recipients include:

• Indianapolis-based Bosma Enterprises Inc. – $5 million
• Indianapolis-based Children’s Bureau Inc. – $10 million
• Indianapolis-based Damar Services Inc. – $10 million
• Indianapolis-based Easterseals Crossroads – $10 million
• Indianapolis-based Hear Indiana – $2.5 million
• Indianapolis-based Lutheran Child and Family Services – $7.5 million
• Indianapolis-based Noble – $10 million
• Danville-based Sycamore Services Inc. – $7.5 million
• Indianapolis-based Tangram Inc. – $7.5 million
• Villages of Indiana, which has offices in Indianapolis and Bloomington – $10 million

Tangram says the $7.5 million it has been awarded is the largest-ever grant it has received. Chief Executive Officer Angie Tyler says "this grant will empower Tangram to build capacity and strengthen our infrastructure so that we can confidently move forward with our mission of creating extraordinary lives for people with disabilities and persist in the face of unexpected financial challenges. We are excited by the possibilities represented by this grant and extend our most sincere thanks to Lilly Endowment."