Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) has awarded The Learning Network of
Clinton County a grant totaling $67,500. The funding will help The Learning Network
strengthen programs serving young people in Clinton County and build the
organizational capacity needed to deepen its impact over the next several years.
Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) made the grants in connection with Strengthening Youth
Programs in Indiana (SYPI), an initiative Lilly Endowment Inc. launched in 2023. The
initiative seeks to help youth-serving organizations working throughout the state
improve their abilities to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of
young people, ages five through 18.
With this support, the funds will be used to sustain and strengthen the Summer Kids
Workshops program by supporting qualified instructors, scholarships, transportation,
program operations, technology, fundraising, community outreach, and organizational
capacity. This investment will help SKW maintain accessible, high-quality summer
programming while strengthening the organization’s ability to sustain the program
through local business sponsorships and county support. The work is expected to help
children and families overcome barriers such as childcare and transportation, while
providing young people with hands-on learning opportunities that build new skills,
confidence, social connections, career awareness, and positive educational
experiences during the summer.
“We are grateful for this investment in The Learning Network and in the young people
we serve,” said Melinda Grismer, Director of the Learning Network. “This grant will
allow us to continue providing Summer Kids Workshops in 2027, 2028, and 2029.”
The Learning Network is one of 168 youth-serving organizations awarded SYPI
grants totaling more than $40 million. A full list of grant recipients is available here.
About The Learning Network of Clinton County
The Learning Network’s mission is to provide opportunities for all learners to build
knowledge and lifelong learning skills for workforce development, healthy living and to
enhance the quality of life through education.
About Indiana Youth Institute
Indiana Youth Institute’s mission is to improve the lives of all Indiana children by
strengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities that are
focused on kids and youth. IYI is Indiana’s premier source for high-quality data on child
well-being and data-informed action to address challenges Hoosier children face. It
leads the FIVE by 50 vision as a connector and convenor to ensure that every child
will have a network of five caring, supportive adults in their life by the year 2050. Visit
iyi.org to learn more.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by
J.K. Lilly Sr. and 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.
Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown,
Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it funds programs throughout the United
States, especially in the field of religion.