Fulton County Youth Center to receive Indiana Youth Institute grant

Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) has awarded 168 grants, which total more than $40 million, to youth-serving organizations across Indiana to help them sustain and strengthen their work with Hoosier youth. 

IYI made the grants in connection with Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI), an initiative Lilly Endowment Inc. launched in 2023. The initiative seeks to help youth-serving organizations working throughout the state improve their abilities to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people, ages five through 18.  

Among the grant recipients is the Fulton County Youth Center receiving $50,000.

“Young people thrive when they have access to youth-serving organizations that are consistent, reliable, and equipped to meet their needs,” said Dr. Tami Silverman, President and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute. “These organizations play a vital role in supporting young people across Indiana, yet too often we underinvest in the stability and capacity they need to sustain that work. This grant will help organizations strengthen their foundations, so they can continue providing dependable, high-quality support for kids over time.” 

The grants range from $8,435 to $500,000 and will support organizations that provide a broad range of programs and services related to youth development. Offerings include youth employment, college preparation, STEM education, art therapy, health and wellness activities, grief counseling, leadership and character development, foster care support, outdoor education, tutoring, mentoring, and before- and after-school enrichment. 

Grantees will use this funding to sustain effective programs and develop capacities such as evaluation, fundraising, marketing, technology, as well as staff and board development. See the grants list here. 

Grant-funded projects will work to: 

Support youth through continuation of programming supported by the original SYPI grant in tutoring, mentoring, mental health, behavioral health, after school programming, and youth enrichment and engagement activities 

Strengthen organizational capacity through improved systems, tools, and programs to ensure operational success 

Retain staff through increased opportunities for professional development and salary support 

Build for long-term success through fundraising and program sustainability planning 

IYI will walk alongside participating organizations by providing technical assistance and other support through webinars, consulting, convenings, trainings, and office hours.  

“When organizations strengthen their capacity, leadership, and long-term resilience, they are better positioned to serve young people today and remain a trusted resource for years to come,” said Silverman. 

The funding builds on SYPI grants Lilly Endowment awarded in 2023 which helped youth-serving organizations across Indiana strengthen programs that promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people ages five through 18. Since then, Lilly Endowment has made grants to IYI to provide funds for youth-serving organizations in Indiana through the SYPI initiative. The initiative aligns with IYI’s statewide work to increase the capacity and effectiveness of youth-serving organizations.