FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mairin McCarthy, 317-359-5467 x 456, prcommunications@lutheranfamily.org
Lutheran Child & Family Services Receives $450,000 to Fund its INSPIRE/IIY 2- Generation Program and Build Organizational Capacity
Indianapolis, Ind. – Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) has awarded Lutheran Child & Family Services (LCFS) a grant totaling $450,000. Funding will help LCFS strengthen programs serving young people and families in Marion County and build the organizational capacity needed to deepen its impact over the next several years.
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.
With this support, Lutheran Child & Family Services will continue to strengthen the INSPIRE and Inspiring Indianapolis Youth (IIY) programs by providing comprehensive services for parents and children, including education, employment, financial, health, and youth enrichment supports. The work is expected to help families achieve greater stability, improve academic and economic outcomes, strengthen relationships, and create lasting opportunities for long-term success.
“We are grateful for this investment in INSPIRE and IIY and among the young people we serve,” said Sven Schumacher, Executive Director of Lutheran Child & Family Services. “This grant will allow us to strengthen the systems, programs, and partnerships that help youth thrive.”
Lutheran Child & Family Services is one of 168 youth-serving organizations awarded SYPI grants totaling more than $40 million. A full list of grant recipients is available here.
###
About Indiana Youth Institute
Indiana Youth Institute’s mission is to improve the lives of all Indiana children by strengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities that are focused on kids and youth. IYI is Indiana’s premier source for high-quality data on child well-being and data-informed action to address challenges Hoosier children face. It leads the FIVE by 50 vision as a connector and convenor to ensure that every child will have a network of five caring, supportive adults in their life by the year 2050. Visit iyi.org to learn more.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain in the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion.
About Lutheran Child & Family Services
Since 1883, Lutheran Child & Family Services of Indiana/Kentucky has supported children, youth and families experiencing trauma, instability and hardship. LCFS provides behavioral health, residential, housing, family, and community-based services designed to promote healing, stability, and long-term independence.
LCFS's mission is “Engaging and Empowering Families and Community with Love, Compassion, Faith, and Support.”
