Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana receives $7.5 million Lilly Endowment sustainability grant
INDIANAPOLIS (June 23, 2022)
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana (VOAOHIN) announces today it has been awarded a $7.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. VOAOHIN is one of eight organizations to be awarded funds through the latest round of Lilly Endowment financial sustainability grants, which total $34 million.
Funds are designed to help human services organizations that serve residents in central Indiana, so organizations can enhance their long-term impact by building stronger financial futures. VOAOHIN will use the funds for strategic initiatives including enhancing technology and building endowment.
"We are honored by this rare opportunity to receive long-term funding that will allow us to intentionally strengthen our financial sustainability plans for the future and help even more Hoosier neighbors in need. On behalf of the people we serve, we will build a stronger financial future that will have long-lasting impact for years to come. This is truly a game-changer for our organization and our community,"
John R. von Arx III
President & CEO
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana
“The grant is designed to help VOAOHIN build long-term financial strength and resiliency so that it can better weather unexpected and adverse funding changes,” says Ronni Kloth, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for community development. “The grant is not intended to fund ongoing operating support essential to meet the day-to-day needs of the people VOAINOH serves. In fact, we hope the grant helps to attract additional support for this important work.”
This is the sixth group of grants Lilly Endowment has made since 2015 to support the long-term sustainability plans for charitable organizations based in central Indiana. Through this effort, Lilly Endowment has made grants totaling $417 million to 70 organizations.
About Volunteers of America Ohio & 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.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly Sr. 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 the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. In keeping with the wishes of its founders, it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.