The SIA Foundation awarded nearly $90,000 in capital grants to 11 Indiana charitable organizations at a ceremony held at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. today. Representing the Winter 2017 grant cycle, this marks the largest grant dollars’ distribution to-date for the Foundation. Recipients represented Allen, Hamilton, Jefferson, Marion, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Porter, and Vigo counties. Since its establishment in 1997, the SIA Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million to fund the needs of Hoosiers.
The SIA Foundation awards grants twice annually to nonprofit organizations seeking capital funding in arts and culture, health and welfare or education programs. Information on the SIA Foundation and the grant application process can be found at http://www.siafoundation.org/.
Capital grant recipient organizations for the Winter 2017 grant cycle are:
Boys & Girls Club of Montgomery County - Montgomery County - $10,000 – Education
The organization will purchase Stem Kits, a 3D printer, Lego Robotic Kits and computers to provide unique opportunities to advance STEM knowledge and increase interest in STEM-related careers for their after-school and summer learning programs.
Battle Ground Middle School - Tippecanoe County - $6,223.90 – Education
The school will purchase two 3D printers and supplies needed to enhance their Engineering Technology curriculum.
Lide White Memorial Boys & Girls Club Family & Community Center – Jefferson County - $5,000 – Health & Welfare
This organization will be developing a sensory center where children can go to calm down or channel their boundless energy into activities that will give them the sensory input needed. This will allow children to function better in a typical environment and learn invaluable coping skills for the rest of their life.
Taltree Arboretum & Gardens Foundation, Inc. – Porter County – $3,500 – Education
The funds will be used to transform the current Children’s Adventure Garden into an accessible garden for those with mobility impairments, including a new garden bed that is raised and can be touched by those in wheel chairs.
Boys & Girls Clubs in Indiana, Inc. – Marion County - $10,000 – Health & Welfare
This organization will purchase equipment needed to expand the supper and snack program in ten Boys and Girls Clubs. The refrigerators, freezers and food organization items will allow them to have complete meals for those who visit the clubs.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Vigo County - $9,998 – Education
Rose-Hulman will be creating an outdoor classroom to develop a sustainable makerspace for students and community members. The initiative, led by the Home for Environmentally Responsible Engineering (HERE) program, will allow the opportunity to use the outdoor teaching space for STEAM programs for an existing free after school program for disadvantage neighborhoods in Terre Haute.
NICHES Land Trust – Tippecanoe County - $8,500 – Education
The funds will be used to create an Outdoor Classroom and Natural Playground to be used for NICHES Junior Ranger Program. When the program is not utilizing this space, it will serve as a space that allows families to interact and play in a way that will allow for unstructured play to help kids make a true connection with the natural world.
Lafayette Family YMCA - Tippecanoe County - $10,000 – Education
Grant funds will be used to purchase CATCH Kids Club kits. These kits incorporate nutrition and physical activity lessons that teach children how to make healthy food choices and increase their physical activity. These kits will be going in to 7 after school programs through the community.
Conner Prairie Museum, Inc. – Hamilton County - $6,312 – Arts & Culture
This grant will allow the organization to add a foot-operated handwashing sink for families’ convenience after visiting the animal encounters exhibit. This allows for safer families and animals.
The League for the Blind & Disabled - Allen County - $10,000 – Health & Welfare
Grant funds will be used to purchase two new Phoenix Braille printers. These printers will allow those who are blind or have other visual impairments the ability to read essential documents including bills & financial statements for utilities & financial institutions, create braille business cards, and healthcare documents.
Bauer Family Resources - Tippecanoe County - $10,000 – Education
The funds from this grant will go toward purchasing the materials and installation of a natural playscape for Head Start children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.This play space will provide a unique learning experience, both physically and mentally, that nurture children’s imagination, perception, creativity, sensory integration, and self-esteem.