Building Stronger Families, One Generation at a Time

At Heart of Indiana United Way, we believe lasting change happens when we support the whole family — not just one individual or one challenge. Financial stability, educational success, and family well-being are all connected. That’s why our community impact work takes a multi-generational approach through two initiatives: the THRIVE Network and the Read & Achieve Partnership.

Requests for Funding Proposals are now open for both initiatives.

Why This Matters

Across our region, nearly 46% of households are ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are families who are working hard but still struggle to afford the basics: housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.

Nearly 1 in 5 children in our region lives below the federal poverty level.

When families face financial stress, children often face additional barriers to success in school and life. Research shows that academic performance gaps between students from low- and high-income families tend to appear early and widen over time — in reading proficiency, in attendance, and in outcomes that follow kids well beyond the classroom.

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A Multi-Generational Approach

We know that a child’s success is tied to their family’s stability — and a family’s stability is tied to their children’s success. You can’t fully address one without the other.

That’s why we don’t fund programs that treat adults and children as separate problems to solve. A multi-generational approach means working with the whole family unit at once: supporting parents and caregivers as they build financial stability, while supporting children as they build the skills and support systems they need to succeed in school. Progress in one generation reinforces progress in the next, creating momentum that a single-generation program can’t achieve on its own.

This is the thinking behind the THRIVE Network and the Read & Achieve Partnership. They’re designed to work together — and we’re looking for partners who understand why that matters.

 

All applicant organizations must meet the following:

• Provide service in at least one of the five counties we serve (Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Madison, or Randolph County).
• Be a 501 (c) 3 or fiscally sponsored by one.
• Have a mission focused on helping families living at or below ALICE threshold.*
• Offer programs/activities/services that align with at least one of United Way’s focus areas listed above.

Organization Information

1. Organization name
2. Mailing address
3. Phone number/Email/Website
4. Primary contact name, title, phone, email
5. Total number of people served by your organization in 2026
6. Amount of funding requested

Required Documents

• Agency Budget
• Program Budget
• Financial statement
• Board of Directors list