The Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment has announced grants totaling more than $2.1 million for summer youth programs and capital projects, including $1.4 million in support of the Summer Youth Program Fund.

The fund, a joint initiative of eleven area funders, provides grants in support of summer activities designed to boost young people's academic performance while helping them develop new skills and perspectives. In 2012, it has awarded a total of $2.3 million for 176 summer programs in Marion County, including classes in calculus, art, critical thinking, photography, reading, public speaking, computer math, editing, maps, music, painting, geography, drama, gardening, science, vocabulary, U.S. history, writing, math, spelling, insect identification, and rocket science.

The endowment also announced grants totaling more than $450,000 to twenty-two summer program grantees for modest capital projects such as facility renovations, computer equipment, and the purchase of vans and mini-buses to transport program participants. In addition, the Marion County Commission on Youth received $212,715 to fund adult and youth staff training, Web site management, evaluation, and end-of-summer educational awards.

For a list of summer youth program grantees, visit the Lilly Endowment Web site.