The Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment has announced $12.5 million in support of three legal aid organizations serving Indiana residents.

Recipients include Indiana Legal Services, Inc. ($7.5 million), Indianapolis Legal Aid Society ($2.5 million), and Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic ($2.5 million). The organizations will dedicate most of the funds to permanently restricted endowments that support long-term financial sustainability efforts. In addition, a portion of the funding will be used for special projects that bolster financial sustainability, including strengthening staff development, improving fundraising capacity, and upgrading technology.

Since 2015, the endowment has grants totaling $461.5 million to help address the long-term sustainability plans of a variety of charitable organizations in central Indiana since 2015.

“These grants are designed to help the organizations build long-term financial strength so they can better weather unexpected funding challenges as they continue to provide vital legal assistance to Indiana residents,” said Lilly Endowment vice president for community development Ronni Kloth. “The grants are not intended to fund ongoing operating support, which organizations must have to meet the day-to-day needs of the people they serve. In fact, we hope these grants can inspire others to invest in the important work of these legal aid organizations.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/MilanEXPO)