Mayor Joe Hogsett, The Indianapolis Foundation Announce Second Round Elevation Grant Recipients

Grant program aims to address root causes of violent crime and empower neighborhoods.

Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett and The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), announced the second round of funding awarded by the Elevation Grant Program. Previously known as the Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program, this initiative has committed to investing $45 million in neighborhoods over the next three years to address root causes of violent crime in Indianapolis.

This second round—the final round for the year—has awarded over $8.6 million, prioritizing organizations that have clearly demonstrated immediate intentionality around violence reduction using evidence-based violence reduction programming or strategies. This round is focused on supporting the areas of thriving neighborhoods, empowered youth, restoration & resilience, and intervention & violence reduction.

Mayor Joe Hogsett

“After the first full year of a new three-year anti-violence strategy, Indianapolis is already seeing significant declines in gun violence,” Mayor Hogsett said. “The five-fold increase to the Elevation Grant Program represents an important part of that strategy, boosting community organizations that make direct, meaningful impact for residents at the grassroots level. This next round of grantees will further accelerate progress in neighborhoods across Marion County.”

Second-round recipients of Elevation Grants include:

Chin Community of Indiana
Chin Community of Indiana, led by members of the Chin community, currently serves the entire Chin community of Indiana by meeting the basic social needs through workforce development, training and employment; integration into society by learning the English language, public safety and health education; assistance with medical, social, food, translation, basic living skills. This program will provide culturally relevant outreach and supportive services to Chin families impacted by domestic violence on the south side.

Project Free University (CAFE serving as a fiscal agent)
Project Free University is a grassroots, BIPOC-led organization focused on increasing financial literacy and developing and supporting young entrepreneurs on the Far East Side. With this grant, 30 youth will complete PFU’s Financially Lit curriculum and then be paired with mentors to keep them on track as they pursue their financial, employment and entrepreneurial goals.

Soul Food Project
Soul Food Project is a growing grassroots, BIPOC-led organization that works to build a just and equitable food system in the Northeast corridor by increasing access to local food, offering hands-on education, and providing a creative space for artists. With this grant, Soul Food Project will host monthly events focused on building community, teaching residents how to farm, and expanding social capital. The organization plans to hire neighborhood residents to carry out this work.

See the full list of recipients below

Funding for the 2022 grant program was passed unanimously by the City-County Council last year. Powered by American Rescue Plan funding for pandemic relief, the Elevation Grant Program will invest nearly five times more in crime reduction efforts than in previous years.

This year’s Elevation Grant Program funds have been distributed through two rounds—each focused on addressing root causes of violent crime. The first round, awarded in July, provided $5.5 million in grants to grassroots organizations focused on thriving neighborhoods, empowering youth, and restoration and resilience through mental wellness.

Pamela Ross

“We go directly to Indianapolis residents for counsel,” said Pam Ross, vice president of community leadership and equitable initiatives for The Indianapolis Foundation. “Our goal is to uplift and empower the people who know Indianapolis neighborhoods the best and direct funding to their priorities and areas of need.”

The grant program plans to continue to focus part of its investment pipeline on grassroots organizations, prioritizing those led by residents of the communities they serve. The program defines a grassroots organization as a resident-led organization/entity operating under community values, shared power and decision-making, and supported by an organizational budget of up to $250,000.

To learn more about the Elevation Grant Program and funding eligibility, visit ElevationGrant.org.

Recipients of the Elevation Grant Program: Round Two

ABOUT THE INDIANAPOLIS FOUNDATION

The Indianapolis Foundation, founded in 1916, is a public charity and an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). As Indiana’s oldest and largest community foundation, The Indianapolis Foundation aims to mobilize people, ideas and investments to make this a community where all individuals have equitable opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter place, race or identity. It awards nearly $7 million to support current and future community needs and is governed by a board of six publicly appointed directors. Learn more about The Indianapolis Foundation.

ABOUT MAYOR HOGSETT’S VIOLENCE REDUCTION PLAN

Mayor Hogsett announced a comprehensive violence reduction plan in fall 2021, powered by $150 million in American Rescue Plan funds unanimously approved by the City-County Council. The plan emphasizes law enforcement investments, including $9 million in modern policing technology, 100 new IMPD officer positions, and up to 40 IMPD civilian positions to cover non-emergencies. It also addresses root causes of violence through $45 million for grassroots violence prevention organizations, 50 peacemakers to engage with those at risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of gun violence, $30 million for mental health resources, and more.