Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett and the Indianapolis Foundation, a member of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) philanthropic collaborative, have announced 72 grants totaling more than $12.1 million in support of neighborhood development, empowered youth and young adults, restoration and resilience, and justice-involved support and intervention.

The fourth round of funding from the Elevation Grant Program—a $150 million anti-violence effort launched in 2021—included support for efforts to address violent crime. To that end, it uses the Indianapolis Foundation’s equity framework and gives priority to organizations clearly demonstrating immediate intentionality around root causes of violence. It also supports programs using evidence-based violence reduction programming or promising strategies that simultaneously elevate the assets, aspirations, hope, and safety of neighborhoods impacted by violence. The latest recipients include George Washington HUB Club, Project Will, Sea Scope, and Keys2Work.

“Through the Elevation Grant Program, Indianapolis has awarded a total of $25,657,912.65 across 159 grants. Significantly, over 60 percent of these grantees are BIPOC-led, exemplifying a commitment to creating more equitable opportunities and supporting efforts to build community,” said Indianapolis Foundation vice president of community leadership and equitable initiatives Pamela Ross. “This investment demonstrates a powerful shift in the dynamics of influence, placing resources and decision making into the hands of historically underrepresented communities.”

“Since [2021], we have recorded a significant decline in violence in our community,” said Hogsett. “The groups empowered through this grant program represent a critical piece of that promising trend, and I’m excited to see how the newest recipients further our progress.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Sean Pavone)