BACI Awarded $64,000 in grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
INDIANAPOLIS, November 12, 2020 — The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) has received a $64,000 grant through the Youth Program Resilience Fund of Lilly Endowment Inc.
BACI will use the grant for COVID-19 related expenses including: supplies and equipment for cleaning and personal protection, technology for virtual learning, consultants to assist with the needs of the program and staff, as well as general operations impacted by the pandemic. With this support, BACI will be able to continue its commitment to building a thriving, integrated and self-sustaining community and can continue assisting the Burmese youths enrolled in the Upward College Program with their college readiness and future success.
“We are grateful for the important support we have been receiving from Lilly Endowment, especially the YPRF grant, which will help us maintain vital assistance to many youths in the safest environment possible during these unprecedented times”, said Elaisa Vahnie, Executive Director of BACI. “Collaboratively working with our partners, we remain committed to assisting Burmese and newcomers in Central Indiana as they are becoming economically self-sufficient, integrated, and productive citizens of the society.”
The BACI summer survey found that the college going rate among Burmese-Americans has increased to 91.3 percent this year from 69 percent in 2015, while the population has maintained 97 percent college persistence in the past several years.
The grant to BACI is one of 297 grants that Lilly Endowment has made through the Youth Program Resilience Fund to help youth-serving organizations across Indiana adapt their work to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants from this fund are part of more than $170 million in grants Lilly Endowment has made to help organizations serve individuals and communities amid the pandemic.
About 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.
About BACI
The Burmese American Community Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides educational and vocational support to the Burmese community in greater Indianapolis. The BACI supports community members regionally, nationally, and globally through strategic partnerships and advocacy. Since its inception, the BACI has assisted over 10,000+ individuals through its direct service provisions.
