United Way of South Central Indiana Awards 2026 Impact Grants

$250,000 Invested in Ten Nonprofits Strengthening Stability, Health, and Opportunity Across the Region

December 16, 2025: Bloomington, Ind. – United Way of South Central Indiana (UWSCI) today announced the recipients of its 2026 Impact Grants, awarding a total of $250,000 to ten nonprofit organizations serving Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, and Owen counties. Each organization will receive a $25,000 grant to advance long-term stability and opportunity for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and individuals.

ALICE households earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford essentials such as housing, food, childcare, and healthcare. These families are often one unexpected expense away from crisis. UWSCI’s Impact Grants support programs that address these realities head-on by strengthening stability, expanding access to essential services, and increasing pathways to economic mobility.

“This group of nonprofits are doing incredible work to create pathways to stability for families across South Central Indiana,” said Randy Rogers, President & CEO of United Way of South Central Indiana. “These investments strengthen programs that help families access food, housing, healthcare, education, and the supports that make long-term progress possible. We’re proud to stand alongside these agencies as they open doors for more of our neighbors.”

UWSCI works to create lasting change for ALICE families by increasing stability, access, and opportunity. The 2026 Impact Grants support programs that strengthen Financial Security, build a Healthy Community, and expand Youth Opportunity—all essential to disrupting the cycle of instability.  

These funds are flexible and may be used for general operating expenses, reflecting UWSCI’s trust in impact partners to determine how best to use the resources to create the greatest positive change.

“United Way’s investment strategy recognizes that financial security, health, and youth opportunity are deeply interconnected,” said Nick Shafer, Board Chair of United Way of South Central Indiana. “These grants reflect our commitment to meeting families where they are, reducing barriers, and creating clear pathways to long-term stability. We’re grateful for the nonprofit partners who share this vision and are working every day to expand what’s possible for our neighbors.”

2026 Impact Grant Recipients

Each of the following ten agencies will receive a $25,000 Impact Grant:

• Amethyst House: Provides trauma-informed residential and outpatient substance use treatment, supporting clients with therapy, case management, and long-term recovery services.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington – Owen County Club: Offers affordable, high-quality out-of-school programming that supports youth development and helps families maintain employment and stability.
• Catholic Charities: Delivers accessible, evidence-based mental health therapy with an income-based sliding fee scale for individuals and families.
• HealthNet Bloomington Health Center: Provides comprehensive, patient-centered primary and behavioral healthcare—plus enabling services—regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank:  Collects and distributes millions of pounds of food annually through partner agencies and mobile pantries while providing SNAP outreach and hunger-relief education.
• My Sister’s Closet: Empowers women and families through workforce development, financial wellness, and professional clothing services for those facing significant barriers.
• New Hope for Families: Prevents family homelessness through emergency shelter, long-term case management, and high-quality early childhood education.
• Pathways: Provides high-quality early learning and comprehensive family stability supports, including essential resources, coaching, and pathways to economic mobility.
• Planned Parenthood: Offers essential sexual and reproductive healthcare—including contraception, cancer screenings, gender-affirming care, and STI services—to patients regardless of insurance status.
• Team OC Mentoring: Provides trauma-informed youth mentoring, family engagement, and community-building activities that strengthen emotional wellness and resilience.

Grant awardees were selected through a competitive review process that evaluated alignment with UWSCI’s core focus areas, as well as the potential to disrupt the cycle of instability for ALICE families. More than $860,000 in grant requests were received.  

Applications were reviewed and scored by UWSCI’s volunteer Community Impact Committee, who made funding recommendations based on program impact, evidence-based approaches, feasibility, and capacity to create lasting change. Final decisions were approved by the United Way Board of Directors to ensure strategic investment in programs that maximize community impact.

The Impact Grants are part of UWSCI’s broader mission to connect people to possibility by investing in long-term solutions that strengthen financial security, improve health outcomes, and expand opportunity for young people. In addition to grantmaking, UWSCI directly supports initiatives such as the Financial Stability Alliance, Free Community Tax Service, Bank On Bloomington, Truancy Case Management, In-School Youth Mentoring, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

For more information, visit unitedwaysci.org/impactpartners or reach out to Randy Rogers, President & CEO, United Way of South Central Indiana, at randy@unitedwaysci.org or 812-334-8370 x15.

About United Way of South Central Indiana

United Way of South Central Indiana improves lives and futures in our community. We connect people to possibility—supporting youth opportunity, financial security, and healthy communities. By investing in local programs—from healthy food and mental health services to tax assistance and youth mentoring—UWSCI helps families meet today’s needs and build stronger futures. Nearly half of local households are just one emergency away from poverty, and together, we tackle challenges no one can solve alone.