Lilly Endowment Inc. awards $2.1 million in grant funding to Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS  |  January 17, 2023

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Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a $2.1 million grant to Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana to support capacity-building efforts during the next three years.

The grant is one of 28 grants totaling $41 million that are designed to help human services organizations and community centers in central Indiana enhance their ability to meet the needs of the individuals and families who they serve.

Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana (VOAOHIN) will use the grant for program expansion, staff recruitment and retention strategies, and expanding hours to increase access to services.


“We are grateful to Lilly Endowment for its generous investment to help more individuals, veterans, and families recover and heal, with a goal of making the Hoosier community even stronger.”


John R. von Arx III
President & CEO
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana

VOAOHIN serves individuals and families overcoming personal crisis and its work includes substance use disorder treatment for men, women, women with dependent children, and women who are pregnant; support for individuals transitioning out of the criminal justice system; and support for veterans and their families who are homeless or are at-risk of becoming homeless. VOAOHIN’s mission is to transform lives and help people reach their full potential by offering hope and restoring dignity.

“Indianapolis has a robust network of organizations dedicated to helping people overcome challenges and begin to build satisfying and self-sufficient lives. These agencies help Indianapolis be a more compassionate and caring city, and we hope these grants help strengthen their ability to meet the demand for their critical services.”

Ronni Kloth
Vice President, Community Development
Lilly Endowment Inc.


Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain 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 its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion, and it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest, established comprehensive human services organizations with 16,000 mission-driven professionals, dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, the faith-based nonprofit has programs in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and serves more than 1.5 million people a year.

At Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, we are dedicated to helping people achieve well-being by offering hope, restoring dignity, and transforming lives, to ensure communities thrive. For over 125 years, we have been uplifting individuals, families, and communities including veterans, homeless individuals and families, men and women returning home after incarceration, and those recovering and healing from addiction. Our work touches the mind, body, heart – and ultimately the spirit – of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. To learn more about our work, visit www.voaohin.org.