The Mind Trust awards $350,000 in School-Community Partnership Investments to 29 Indianapolis organizations 

INDIANAPOLIS – (August 8, 2024) –The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, announced $350,000 in School-Community Partnership Investments (SCPI) to 29 Indianapolis nonprofit or community-based organizations. These funds help local organizations provide high-quality programming to students and families at public charter and innovation schools in Indianapolis. 

“This year’s SCPI awards are a testament to the incredible work being done by community organizations in Indianapolis,” said Lauren I. Peterson, Vice President of Community Engagement at The Mind Trust. “By funding 29 diverse initiatives, we are investing in the future of our students and ensuring they have access to enriching opportunities.” 

The Mind Trust’s SCPI awards empower community organizations and schools to partner in creating programs that expand educational opportunities for Indianapolis students and families. Lack of funding is often a barrier to developing and maintaining key partnerships. SCPI funds ensure schools and community organizations can keep working together for Indianapolis students. 

Since its inception in 2019, The Mind Trust’s SCPIs have awarded over $1,015,000 in funding to local non-profit and community organizations, most of which are led by people of color. 

“The range of programs supported by this year’s SCPIs is truly remarkable. From academics and arts to cultural celebrations and social-emotional skills, these awards will create a holistic development environment for our students,” said Shannon Williams, The Mind Trust’s Executive Vice President. “By supporting diverse programs through this year’s SCPIs, we are helping to build a stronger, more inclusive community.”

“We believe in the power of community collaboration to transform education. The SCPI awards are a key part of our strategy to support initiatives that provide meaningful and lasting benefits to our students.” said CEO, Brandon Brown, “We are thrilled to increase this year’s awards both in monetary value and number of recipients. Each of the 29 programs funded this year will play a crucial role in moving us closer to our vision of providing an excellent education for every student in Indianapolis.”

This year’s 29 recipients, who are grouped by the type of programming this funding will support, include:

Community Empowerment and Health

• The Indiana Project – $2,100

Cultural Celebrations and Events

• Indiana Latino Expo – $10,000
• La Plaza, Inc. – $20,000
• Indiana Latino Institute – $10,000
• Asian American Alliance Inc. – $10,000
• Marion County Commission on Youth, Inc. – $20,000
• Mt. Carmel Baptist Church – $5,800
• Madam Walker Legacy Center – $7,500
• Gifted Gowns Inc. – $6,000
• Mujeres Conectadas – $7,000

Student Success Programming

• JEKL Institute Global Steam Equity & Access – $36,000
• GLAM – $10,000
• Girls, Inc. – $35,000
• Y2G – $5,000
• Crossroads of America Council, Boy Scouts of America – $2,500
• Witherspoon Presbyterian Church – $5,000
• Fight for Life Foundation Inc. – $10,000
• Community Assets, Inc. – $5,000
• Project Stepping Stone – $10,000
• The Next Gen Initiative – $20,000
• Power P Bounce – $10,000
• Amazing Grace Autism Behavioral Childcare Learning Center LLC – $2,646.64
• Crossroads of America (Scouting) – $20,000
• Fathers and Families Inc – $17,400
• Indiana Black Expo – $3,000
• Indianapolis Drifters – $6,000
• Phalen Leadership Academy – $25,000
• Paramount Schools of Excellence – $12,000

To learn more about each recipients’ funded initiative and to see past awardees, visit themindtrust.org/school-community-partnership-investments/.