INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) launched a crowdfunding campaign to expand and upgrade Indy Reads’ public space.
Indianapolis residents will soon have more space for community literacy if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by July 5, 2022. If successful, the project led by Indianapolis-based nonprofit bookstore Indy Reads will receive a matching grant as part of the IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.
“We are thrilled that this project promotes community literacy and a love for reading, as well as provides an accessible and welcoming space for anyone to enjoy,” Crouch said. “Projects like this are at the heart of the CreatINg Places program and we look forward to seeing Indy Reads’ progress.”
Funds from this campaign will be used to make the bookstore and programming space more accessible, including an ADA-compliant front door and public bathrooms, a stage with a sound system for community events, new community murals, and artwork, and technology improvements to assist the organization in providing free literacy programs.
“After nearly 40 years of serving Hoosiers and their families by providing English literacy programming, we are so excited to make our new ‘house’ in Fountain Square a true home,” said Ruba Marshood, Chief Executive Officer for Indy Reads. “When we relocated from the Mass Ave neighborhood during the Covid-19 pandemic, Indy Reads had the opportunity to make our Fountain Square home more accessible and equitable than ever before. We are truly grateful to our community for coming together to make our vision of literacy for all a reality in our improved space.”
The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $6.2 million in public funds and an additional $5.2 million in matching IHCDA funds.
The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.
