Indy Reads Receives $15,000 Indiana Humanities Operating Support Grant

Indianapolis, IN — (October 27, 2021) Indy Reads has been awarded an Operating Support grant of $15,000 from Indiana Humanities with funds from the American Rescue Plan. 

The grant provides funding to humanities organizations adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Indy Reads is one of the 59 organizations across the state to receive operating support funds. 

The $15,000 grant will be used by Indy Reads to support the hiring and training of new bookstore staff, who plan and implement humanities-based events, including book discussions, author readings, and 2 Gen family literacy programming. 

Over $800,000 in funding, which was administered by Indiana Humanities via Operating Support and Programming/Capacity Building Grants, was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), with funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. Last year, Indiana Humanities provided more than $500,000 in similar grants to humanities organizations as part of CARES Act funding.

“The Indy Reads bookstore is an integral part of the Indianapolis community,” said Ryan King, Indy Reads CEO. “Thanks to this grant from Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities, we’re able to reconnect with our community of customers, supporters, adult education students and their families in our new space.”

The grant supports the safe re-opening of the bookstore on November 5th, enabling the organization to once again host humanities-focused programming and events for the community.

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About Indy Reads

Indy Reads builds literacy, English language skills, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential. For over 30 years, we’ve worked toward a vision of 100% literacy for all. High literacy levels give access to greater developmental, educational, and career opportunities, but current statistics show that 1 in 5 adults in Marion County read at or below a fifth-grade level. Through the Community Classrooms literacy program, Indy Reads helps adult learners increase their literacy and English language proficiency, prepare for their High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma, and our workforce development programs help to improve employment opportunities for adults of all literacy skill levels.

To learn more about Indy Reads visit indyreads.org.

About Indiana Humanities

Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage Hoosiers to think, read and talk. Indiana Humanities is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Lilly Endowment, Inc. 

Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.