INDIANAPOLIS — A coalition of community funders, led by United Way of Central Indiana, announced today a $16.5 million Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund to support human services organizations and the individuals and families they serve who are affected directly and indirectly by COVID-19 coronavirus.
The Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund will be launched with a $15 million donation from Lilly Endowment Inc., and $500,000 contributions from each of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company Foundation and United Way of Central Indiana. Central Indiana Community Foundation and Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust will also participate. United Way will seek donations from other organizations and individuals in the weeks ahead. Grants will be distributed to human service organizations in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties best positioned to meet the emerging needs resulting from this crisis.
The launch of this fund builds on the experience of the Community Economic Relief Fund established by funders following the Great Recession in 2008. That fund provided similar support for organizations and individuals during the economic recovery.
“This coronavirus is not just a health crisis. It is also an economic one – the depth and magnitude of which is uncertain,” said Ann Murtlow, president and CEO, United Way of Central Indiana. “The speed with which the virus has spread and the measures necessary to slow its spread and protect global, national and local health continue to significantly disrupt our way of life. This requires us to act swiftly and strategically, with collective input from our funders and partners as we prepare for the short-term and long-term impact to Hoosiers in Central Indiana. We are so grateful to them and acknowledge that this couldn’t be done without them.”
United Way and other funders are working with a broad network of direct service organizations to identify critical needs and resource gaps and the best approach to disseminating the emergency funds with the appropriate sense of urgency. Given the evolving nature of this situation, the fund will be designed to be flexible and to get proceeds to organizations serving those in need in the weeks ahead with minimal bureaucracy.
United Way has established an opportunity for individuals to donate via text or online. Text HELP2020 to 91999 or visit COVID19CERF.ORG to make a contribution.