By Juli Metzger—
MUNCIE, IN—More than $1 million was awarded this week to four area youth-serving organizations to help them sustain and strengthen programs serving children and young adults.
The Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) awarded the funding through the second round of Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana, an initiative launched by Lilly Endowment Inc. in 2023.
Local recipients are:
- Huffer Memorial Children’s Center – $438,550.
- Motivate Our Minds – $144,000
- Project Leadership – $270,000
- Youth Opportunity Center – $174,000
Together, the four organizations received $1,026,550.
The grants reflect the broad range of services local organizations provide to support youth development and well-being. Their work spans early childhood care and afterschool programming, academic support, post-secondary attainment and work-based credentials, as well as residential and behavioral services for children who have experienced severe trauma.
Statewide, IYI awarded 168 grants totaling more than $40 million during this second round of funding.
For Project Leadership, the grant will help the organization look beyond its day-to-day programming and invest in its long-term sustainability.
“Our leadership has its eye on the future and how we, as an organization, can increase our organization’s resiliency,” said Project Leadership President and CEO Tammy Pearson. “We will use these dollars across three years to fulfill priorities in a 10-year strategic plan that we recently completed.”
Project Leadership works with students as they prepare for education and careers beyond high school.
“Our work puts students at the center, helping them make career choices, become workplace ready and identify the credentials they need to succeed,” Pearson said.
At Huffer Memorial Children’s Center, the funding will support efforts that include a Youth Center launched in 2024. The center serves about 80 children ages 5 to 12 through afterschool programming.
“The generous grant from IYI and Lilly helps make all this possible,” said Huffer Executive Director Erica Serf. “The impact on our families is significant. It strengthens our students in school and at home.”
A full list of grant recipients is here.
Juli Metzger is a former newspaper editor and publisher and journalism educator. She is immediate past chair for Indiana Youth Institute and is Chair of the Project Leadership Board of Directors.
