Community Champions Fund – Is the monies raised from 100 Men Who Cook. Through quarterly grants to not-for-profits, civic, business, and government organizations, Community Champions provides financial support to organizations in east central Indiana for programming, services, and activities that support the prevention of violence as well as the protection and care of victims of violence. It is through these efforts those in need benefit from innovative solutions, otherwise unavailable in our community, designed to make our community a safer place to live, work, & play.
The Mission – The Community Champion’s mission is to improve the lives of the most vulnerable citizens of our community. In our core cause area of supporting the prevention of violence as well as the protection and care of victims of violence, we aim to accelerate progress, accountability, and discovery, while also reducing the social stigma that sometimes keeps these issues in the shadows. We will take a people-centric approach on all projects to break traditional barriers and build a better future for all high-risk people, because we know that the greater the support, the more empowered people feel to take control of their present and future. We will support those efforts that most contribute to the reduction of violence and all those circumstances that promote to it. We will use our best judgement in the support of programs and initiatives using four key strategies:
1) Funding the most promising work;
2) Convening grantees, partners and other leaders to collaborate and share best practices for improved outcomes;
3) Initiating new directions and innovative projects to accelerate progress
4) Educating the general public and key audiences to drive and change behavior to fulfill this vision.
→ Funding Priorities:
m Prevention of violence
n Preventing school violence
n Protection and care of victims of violence
m Food insecurities
m Education
n Early childhood development programs
n Literacy programs for youth and adults
n Academic achievement, tutoring and mentoring
n Cultural education and diversity awareness programs
m Community Development
n Race Relations
n Educational workshops on community peace building
→ Restrictions (what we do not fund):
m Multiple request per grantee per calendar year (exceptions rare)
m Sponsorships, fundraisers, telethons, marathons, benefits, and banquets
m Individuals