On 812 Day, Mayor Awards $500,000 in Grants to 35 Local Organizations

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - August 12, 2026 -What began as a special 812 Day gathering for local nonprofit leaders became a celebration of the organizations making a difference across Evansville.

Today, Mayor Stephanie Terry announced $500,000 in Forward Together GO Grants to 35 Evansville organizations. While attendees knew grant awards would be announced during the event, recipients learned for the first time whether they had been selected and the amount of their award. The funding supports organizations advancing three key community priorities: neighborhood revitalization, youth wellness and literacy.

The third round of Forward Together Grants brings the City's total investment to $1.5 million over the past three years, supporting organizations that are addressing some of Evansville's greatest opportunities, from youth development and affordable housing to neighborhood revitalization, education, public health, arts and culture, and family services.

"812 Day is about celebrating everything that makes Evansville special, and nothing reflects that more than the organizations and people who work every day to make our community stronger," said Mayor Stephanie Terry. "These grants recognize the incredible work already happening across our city while providing resources to help these organizations reach even more people. Together, we're building an Evansville where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

Instead of revealing the awards through a traditional press conference, the City invited nonprofit leaders to experience the news together at a special community event. While attendees knew grants would be announced, recipients learned in real time that they had been selected for a Forward Together GO Grant, and how much they would receive, turning the announcement into a celebration of the organizations making a difference across Evansville.

"We're incredibly grateful to Mayor Terry and the City of Evansville for investing in HOPE's work and helping us strengthen the communities we serve," said Josh Calhoun, Director of HOPE of Evansville. "The Forward Together GO Grant will help us bring new life to the Phoenix Apartments as we work to preserve the property as affordable housing. With landscaping, cleanup, and exterior improvements, we can create a place residents are proud to call home while making a visible difference in the surrounding neighborhood."

The 2026 Forward Together GO Grant recipients are:

• Ark Inc. dba Ark Crisis Children's Center ($10,000)
• Aurora ($20,000)
• Autism Everyone ($15,000)
• Boys & Girls Club of Evansville ($16,500)
• Carver Community Organization ($17,500)
• Community Action Program of Evansville and Vanderburgh County (CAPE) ($20,000)
• D.T.E.A.M. Inc. ($15,000)
• Dream Center Evansville ($20,000)
• ECHO Housing Corporation ($25,000)
• Eight12 Run Club ($5,000)
• Evansville African American Museum ($10,000)
• Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science ($10,000)
• Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation/Foundation ($15,000)
• Greater Hope Christian Church ($10,000)
• Habitat for Humanity of Evansville ($17,400)
• Haitian Center of Evansville ($10,000)
• Holly's House ($16,000)
• HOPE of Evansville ($25,000)
• Hospitality and Outreach for Latin Americans (HOLA) ($12,000)
• Immigrant Welcome & Resource Center ($5,000)
• JD Sheth Foundation ($15,000)
• Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana ($15,200)
• Mother's Holdin It Down Inc. ($15,000)
• Ozanam Family Shelter ($5,800)
• Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging (SWIRCA & More) ($4,000)
• St. Vincent de Paul - Evansville District ($6,500)
• The Potter's Wheel, Inc. ($9,100)
• University of Evansville ($10,000)
• Vanderburgh County CASA ($10,000)
• Vanderburgh County Health Department - Environmental Division ($25,000)
• WNIN Tri-State Public Media ($10,000)
• YMCA of Southwestern Indiana Child Care Services Branch ($18,000)
• Youth First, Inc. ($22,000)
• Youth Resources of Southwestern Indiana ($15,000)
• YWCA of Evansville ($25,000)

Funded through the City's ARPA interest funds, the Forward Together GO Grants support 35 nonprofit organizations addressing critical needs across Evansville, including affordable housing, mental health and addiction services, food assistance, neighborhood revitalization, workforce and youth development, childcare access, resource navigation, and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Organizations were eligible to apply if they were registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a governing board of directors, had maintained continuous nonprofit status for at least the previous three years, and provided direct services to underprivileged or disadvantaged Evansville residents. Applicants could request up to $35,000 in funding for eligible projects and programs.

Learn more about the Forward Together GO Grants.