BACI Awarded $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. To Support Community Development

November 20, 2023
Contact: Lian Sang
317.502-2128 | info@thebaci.org

BACI Awarded $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. To Support Community Development

INDIANAPOLIS, November 20, 2023 — The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) has received a $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help strengthen its immigrant programs and services and support self-sufficiency and economic mobility.

With a vision of education for all, a stronger community, and a mission to build a thriving, self-sufficient, sustainable, and integrated community through advocacy, education, and employment, BACI has been delivering its innovative and comprehensive services inclusively to the Burmese and other newcomer communities in Central Indiana.

This grant will help further BACI’s mission of focusing on community development, economic mobility of individuals and families by strengthening the institute’s Employment, Microenterprise Development, and Certification Programs which include providing career pathways and professional development mentorship services, technical assistance to small business start-ups, helping members of the community securing gainful employment, promoting entrepreneurship and financial self-sufficiency whereby contributing to the economic development. Financial aid in the form of scholarships will be available to adults and youths who attend and complete certification programs.

“The successes and positive impact we are seeing today in our shared community and in our city is a testament to the collaborative partnerships we have forged with comprehensive partners”, said Elaisa Vahnie, Executive Director of BACI. “We are excited about this grant and grateful for Lilly Endowment’s support and leadership as we continue to put our effort to assist members of our community in becoming economically self-sufficient, integrated, productive and contributing citizens of the society.”

Burmese American Community Institute is one of 19 organizations that has received the grants designed to help organizations adapt their programs as they respond to the growing number of immigrants in Indianapolis. During the last decade, the foreign-born population of Indianapolis has grown by 30 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Census data.

“A growing number of immigrants seek to make Indianapolis their home,” said Ronni Kloth, the Endowment’s vice president for community development.  “We are pleased to support these organizations as they build their capacity to help our city continue to be a place that is welcoming and livable for all its residents.”

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private 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, it 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. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

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