(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indy has awarded $4.3 million in crime prevention grants, the first round of a planned $45 million over three years.
The grants target neighborhood-level organizations on the theory they know their communities best. The next round of grants later this year will include direct violence interruption programs, but this round is focused on underlying issues, from mental health to youth mentoring.
The Elevation Grants have expanded fivefold over last year, using money from President Biden’s pandemic relief package.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett says police can’t solve the city’s gun violence problems by themselves, but need community allies to strengthen neighborhoods at the ground level.
31 groups received grants in this round, ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. 20 of those groups are first-time recipients. Applications for the next round are due August 1.
