INDIANAPOLIS — Applications are being taken for a grant program that will award a total of $1 million to Marion County community organizations working to address disparities in health and economic wellbeing that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is part of new efforts to address racial inequities in COVID-19 response and recovery, including the first mobile vaccine clinics for the county.
Community-based organizations are invited to submit applications for projects promoting the wellness and recovery among the minority communities that have been hardest hit by the virus and its economic impacts. Projects that are eligible for funding may include, but are not limited to, campaigns to increase education about COVID-19 and the available vaccines, mental health services such as counseling or community discussions, outreach activities to disseminate or gather information, and wrap-around services to support recovery from the financial or health impacts of the pandemic.
Applications are due by April 30, with awards to be announced May 14. To apply, community-based organizations can visit marionhealth.org/communityrecoverygrant to fill out a simple online form that outlines details such as the COVID-19-related need, key activities planned to address that need, and how the requested funds will be used. Directions for other ways to submit an application can also be found on the website.
The average COVID Community Recovery Grant award is expected to be $25,000, but mini-grants as low as $2,500 will also be available for smaller projects. Priority shall be given to applications submitted by community-based organizations which are representative of the population to be served by the project.