Press Release
C-CERF second round directed to critical needs emerging from the COVID-19 crisis
Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund grants $4,550,000 to 32 organizations in Central Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS – (April 7, 2020) Today, the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF) made unrestricted grants totaling $4,550,000 to 32 community organizations in Boone, Hancock, Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties. Combined with the first round of grants made on March 24, C-CERF has distributed more than $11.8 million to 74 organizations in Central Indiana to date.
C-CERF is an economic relief fund launched with significant, initial investments from founding partners Lilly Endowment Inc., Central Indiana Community Foundation (through the Glick Fund and The Indianapolis Foundation), Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, and United Way of Central Indiana. Since its establishment, it has grown to over $22 million with additional donations from the public.
The C-CERF Task Force, which includes leaders from the funding partners, focused this round of grants on specific issues emerging as critical in the COVID-19 crisis. Those needs include:
- an increased need for mental health services;
- support and shelter for children in the child welfare system;
- support for people with disabilities and their caregivers;
- increased support for underserved communities, including LGBTQ, refugees and communities of color;
- and continued critical assistance to food relief organizations.
“Almost every hour, we’re seeing how the pandemic is disrupting more lives in significant ways,” said Ann D. Murtlow, president and CEO of United Way, which is administering C-CERF. “In this phase of grants, we’ve identified special needs for investment from C-CERF and community organizations that are ready to deploy funds to meet the needs of those they serve. These crucial needs include emergency shelter for children whose parents have been hospitalized and have nowhere to go and organizations that provide in-home caregivers for the disabled and elderly who simply can’t survive without them.”
C-CERF Recipients and Grants
| Arc of Greater Boone County $30,000 |
Bosma Enterprises $100,000 |
Boys and Girls Club of Boone County $20,000 |
| Children’s Bureau $300,000 |
DAMAR Services $200,000 |
Damien Center $100,000 |
| Dove Recovery Center $50,000 |
Easterseals Crossroads $100,000 |
Exodus Refugee $100,000 |
| Families First Indiana, Inc. $250,000 |
Foster Success $50,000 |
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana $750,000 |
| Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County $50,000 |
Groundwork Indy $15,000 |
Hancock County Food Pantry $15,000 |
| Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition $15,000 |
Indiana Youth Group $50,000 |
Janus Developmental Services $20,000 |
| Kheprw Institute $75,000 |
Lutheran Child and Family Services $150,000 |
Midwest Food Bank $500,000 |
| New Hope of Indiana $200,000 |
Noble $100,000 |
Outreach $50,000 |
| Progress House $50,000 |
Reach for Youth $50,000 |
Second Helpings $750,000 |
| Sycamore Rehabilitation Services Hendricks County $50,000 |
Tangram $200,000 |
The Villages $100,000 |
| Visually Impaired Preschool Services Indiana $25,000 |
Wellspring $35,000 |
Next week, the C-CERF Task Force expects to invite nonprofit organizations to submit applications for future grant funding. More information will be available on or after April 13.
To learn more or to donate to the C-CERF, text HELP2020 to 91999 or visit www.covid-19cerf.org. One hundred percent of donations to the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund’s website will go directly to the organizations that are serving those in need due to the pandemic.
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About the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a coalition of community funders launched an initial $16.5 million Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF) to support human services organizations in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, and Morgan counties during the crisis. This fund is governed by the C-CERF Task Force, which includes leaders from the founding partners: Lilly Endowment Inc., Central Indiana Community Foundation (through the Glick Fund and The Indianapolis Foundation), Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and United Way of Central Indiana. For information and updates on C-CERF, visit www.covid19cerf.org.
Media Contacts
| Teri Walker | Jessica DiSanto |
| Manager of Communications and External Relations | Director of Communications |
| Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust | United Way of Central Indiana |
| twalker@ninapulliamtrust.org | jessica.disanto@uwci.org |
| AZ: 480-887-0083 | IN: 317-231-9207 | IN: 317-292-5608 |