BLOOMINGFOODS POSITIVE CHANGE

Since 1976 Bloomingfoods has endeavored to be a positive force in this community; working to meet the needs of local folks, support local food, and build a healthy local economy. We believe that community-based organizations are vital to the health and wellness of this community, and we want to help them succeed!

In 2016, Bloomingfoods introduced our Positive Change register roundup program as a community-driven fundraising campaign that offers shoppers the opportunity to round their purchase to the nearest dollar, or donate more if they wish. Since its inception, our program has raised more than $950,000!

This year we had a diverse array of local non-profits apply for the 2025 Positive Change program. In order to qualify for a spot on the ballot, organizations were required to:

We give favor to organizations that are Bloomington- or Monroe County-based and support the Bloomington community. Broad areas of support include local, organic and sustainable food efforts, farmland preservation, the environment, and programs that support the education, health, and well-being of the people in our community. 

In 2025, along with providing monetary support through our register roundup program, Bloomingfoods will endeavor to provide further support to chosen organizations through our staff and owner-members. Our support will include:

Owner-members will choose 11 monthly recipients from this list. Organizations are listed in alphabetical order. The election is active from September 25th - October 25th.

Organizations are listed in the order their applications were received.

Special Olympics Indiana Monroe County

SUSTAINABILITY

Special Olympics Monroe County provides year around sports for persons with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics doesn’t charge athletes or their families to participate. We rely on fundraising to pay for uniforms, sporting equipment, facility rental, tournament fees.

Lotus Education and Arts Foundation

EDUCATION, CULTURAL DIVERSITY THROUGH ART AND MUSIC

For over 30 years, Lotus Education and Arts Foundation has lived in the hearts of many people of the Bloomington community for creating joyful memories and moments of transformation through music and art. Lotus presents the longest running World Music & Arts Festival in the Midwest and unique cultural experiential learning programs for youth, families, and the whole community. Lotus funds scholarships and bus transportation for school partners, brings world artists and performers to South Central Indiana communities, and each year builds an infrastructure of festival venues in downtown Bloomington. We will use Positive Change funds to support programming for Lotus Blossoms and Lotus World Music & Art Festival. These events are essential to amplify and foster expression of diverse voices in our community and pursing our mission of celebrating, experiencing, and exploring the world's diversity through music and the arts.

Pantry 279

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH

We would use the funds raised to help us purchase healthy food items, such as meats, pastas, and canned foods. If this is near November, we can use it to help with the Thanksgiving food needs. If in the summer, we can use it to help purchase kid friendly food, such as fruit cups, granola bars, oranges, bananas, etc... As we are currently serving over 9000 people a month, these funds will go a long way in helping us get people good, healthy food items.

Brown County Mountain Biking

ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, TRAIL BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE

Brown County Mountain Biking strives to preserve mountain biking opportunities by building, maintaining, improving, and promoting trail systems in Brown County, Indiana and the surrounding region.

Live Adventurously

ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH

Live Adventurously provides access to outdoor experiences for disadvantaged youth and adults to improve mental, physical and emotional health and wellness. We are fundraising to add a Pump Track in Deer Run Park, just 1/4 mile outside the downtown Nashville area. The Pump Track will be built next to the Skate Park at Deer Run Park, there are several baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball court, canoe/kayak put in and a disc golf course in the Park. We have a quote and approval from the Brown County Parks and Recreation Department Board of Advisors as well as several letters of support from local entities such as the Brown County Hoosier Mountain Bike Association, Brown County Convention Center and Visitors Bureau and more.

Monroe County Humane Association

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, ANIMAL WELFARE

Monroe County Humane Association is deeply committed to animal welfare, striving to create a world where every animal thrives. MCHA primarily focuses on the Monroe County community, offering essential programs such as the Crisis Housing Program, which provides a safe haven for pets caught in the crosshairs of human crises, from domestic violence to housing uncertainties and health emergencies. MCHA also works to reduce the number of pets in shelters through the Spay and Neuter Assistance program and make vaccines accessible through Monthly Mobile Vaccine Clinics. MCHA’s Street Outreach Program ensures veterinary care for pets in difficult circumstances like homelessness, and an Accessible Community Veterinary Clinic served over 9,700 pets in 2023. Additionally, MCHA distributes pet food (31,000 lbs in 2023) and essential supplies to those facing financial hardships, emphasizing their commitment to animal well-being.

Cancer Support Community (South Central Indiana)

FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH

Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana provides free cancer support services and resources to anyone impacted by cancer. Funds from Bloomingfoods Positive Change program would be used to purchase food gift cards for cancer patients and hold nutrition classes focusing on how to prepare and cook nutritious, simple meals at home. Last year, CSC distributed $5100 in grocery gift cards to cancer patients during their active treatment cycle, and held 9 live cooking demonstrations in partnership with local chefs. Between these two programs, 51 households received $100 for groceries, and 134 people learned how to prepare and cook nutritious meals using local ingredients at home. Cancer rates and expenses are increasing, and with inflation on the rise now more than ever, these programs are needed in our community.

Highland Park Elementary PTO

EDUCATION

The Highland Park Elementary PTO works to support students in our Title 1 school by fostering collaboration between parents and the school, supporting education efforts and enhancing the overall well-being of students and families. We play a vital role in supporting our community by: organizing fundraisers that generate funds for school programs, classroom supplies and extracurricular activities like the Garden Club, Drama Club, and Robotics Club; organizing teacher appreciation events to express gratitude to and acknowledge the hard work of teachers and staff; hosting family-friendly events that engage students and their families, such as our annual Culture Fest, book fairs, and an end-of-year celebration; and contributing to school improvement projects such as playground and Nature Center upgrades and classroom enhancements.

Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center

EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we will use the funds raised to better support the community with our services. Your donation will help us maintain our facility and expand our services for those in need. The children we serve, and their families, are not charged for any services received at Susie's Place.

Stone Belt Arc

EDUCATION

It is Stone Belt's mission to prepare, empower, and support people with developmental disabilities and their families to participate fully in the life of the community. Originating in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1959, Stone Belt arose from the vision of nine families seeking inclusive opportunities for their children with disabilities. Stone Belt serves over 1,200 individuals across Monroe, Bartholomew, and Lawrence counties today. With support from the Bloomingfoods Positive Change Fund, Stone Belt aims to enrich Pre-Employment Transition Services for high school students with developmental disabilities. This funding will enable the expansion of tailored vocational training by acquiring specialized curriculum and program supplies fostering skill development and job readiness. Ultimately, this investment will empower individuals with developmental disabilities to attain greater independence and meaningful employment within our community.

The Jewish Theatre Bloomington

EDUCATION

Jewish Theatre Bloomington (JTB) aims to educate in all productions, choosing works that focus on the experience of the Jewish minority and the reality of that identity in a modern world. We offer post performance artist talkbacks with audiences to engage in reflection, dialogue and continued education. We invite audiences to engage further with difficult production topics like gun control, dementia, LGBTQ+, racial and cultural diversity issues in our community conversations. JTB will use funds for our productions that support this mission. Jewish Theatre of Bloomington, the only Jewish Theatre in Indiana, is a global phenomenon.

Indiana Forest Alliance

ENVIRONMENT

Indiana Forest Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving and restoring Indiana's hardwood forest ecosystem. IFA will put the funds generated from the Positive Change program towards conducting critical scientific research in our forests, monitoring endangered and threatened species and the health of our forests, as well as towards occupying the halls of the statehouse fighting environmentally harmful legislation and advocating for good legislation, funding our urban forest program, working to get legislation passed through Congress to expand Indiana's only wilderness (the Charles Deam Wilderness), and funding awareness and educational programs.

Tandem Community Birth Center and Postpartum House, Inc.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Funds will be used to support our postpartum doula equity program. This program allows us to send postpartum doulas into client homes for low or no cost services. Our clients call this program life-changing and life-saving. It reduces the impact of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders on our clients' lives and gives them a strong support network they can rely on. When parents are supported, families and communities thrive.

Artists for Climate Awareness

EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY

We are artists working in the community to increase awareness and spur action and communication about climate and environment. We work in partnership with value-aligned nonprofit organizations and artists. Funds will be used to facilitate climate-art workshops and educational events for underserved and marginalized populations. This includes seniors, people of color, low-income individuals, and children in our community who may otherwise not have an opportunity to be exposed to art and information about how climate change impacts the world they are inheriting, and what personal actions they can take to make a better future.

Bloomington Developmental Learning Center

EDUCATION

At BDLC, we pride ourselves on offering a nutritious, plant based menu that supports healthy lifestyles and sustainable learning. Proceeds from Bloomingfoods Positive Change would be used to expand our gardening projects for our students. Our Pre-K classrooms actively engage in cultivating fruits and vegetables, fostering a hands-on learning experience in agriculture and nutrition. With additional funding, we aim to construct a new gardening shed to further facilitate these initiatives. Moreover, investing in a compost system will not only enrich our garden's soil but also provide invaluable lessons on organic gardening and the farm-to-table food production process, completing the circle of experiential learning at BDLC.

Farm to Family Fund, Inc.

AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

The Farm to Family Fund purchases unsold fresh, local and sustainably grown food at half price from farmers at the close of both Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market and Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market. This food is donated to Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, Pantry 279, Community Kitchen of Monroe County, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and The Rise at Middle Way House. For eleven years our all-volunteer organization has made a significant financial impact on the bottom line of local farmers while making local, fresh, healthy food available to hundreds of food insecure people in Bloomington and the surrounding area. In our fiscal year ending April 30, we donated over $356,000 worth of farm produce and directly paid farmers $178,000! Positive Change funds will help us to increase our impact on Bloomington’s local food economy.

Environmental Resilience Institute

EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY

Indiana must take action on climate change, and due to a lack of sufficient action or environmentally forward policy at the state level, communities are taking it into their own hands before it's too late. To that end, the IU Environmental Resilience Institute helps communities advance projects that will make Hoosiers more resilient to climate change. Our work with students, communities, and organizations is filling a critical need for expert-level support of climate action in Indiana while training the next generation of sustainability leaders to tackle one of the biggest issues facing humanity. Each summer, ERI's McKinney Climate Fellows are trained in sustainability careers and work full time with Bloomington nonprofits on projects that are advancing our city's ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and withstand the changes that are already coming. This diverse group of fellows is paid equitably, and they live in the community to be able to understand Bloomington's needs and make the biggest impact. Positive Change support would pay for these student scholarships; 100% of the proceeds will go to students working in Bloomington.

Spencer Pride, Inc.

EDUCATION, SUSTAINABILITY, AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP

At Spencer Pride, our mission is to improve the quality of life for rural LGBTQ+ people in South Central Indiana by:
  • fostering allyship and understanding through education and advocacy,
  • creating safe spaces that support both physical and mental well-being, and
  • addressing social inequities that stem from the unique intersectionality of queer and rural identities

We plan to use these funds to support our operating costs at the center and to continue to cover our free programming.

Bloomington Community Orchard

AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

The Bloomington Community Orchard's mission is to "dream, build, and share an orchard community" while inspiring communities to cultivate thriving systems of sharing and growing food for all to enjoy. We offer weekly opportunities for community members of all experience-levels to help us cultivate the flagship Orchard site, while developing their own hands-on orcharding skills to share with others. We also host "free to the community" classes and workshops (while compensating local educators to team them), to remove any financial barriers from residents taking a more proactive approach to participating in the local food system. If selected as a Positive Change recipient, as an all-volunteer nonprofit, we would invest the community's donations in more free classes and resources to help grow the community's knowledge and harvests, together.

The League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County

EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, WOMEN'S HEALTH AND VOTER ACCESS

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages informed and active participation in government and works to increase the understanding of major public policies. The funds will be used to support our outreach through printed materials, social media, podcasts, and other voter education materials.

Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS

We plan to split the funds between two essential needs for our students - the food assistance program and mental health supports. Food assistance helps pay for lunches for students who do not have funds in their lunch account. The Mental Health assistance helps provide training and materials for faculty to help identify when a child is experiencing anxiety and behavioral issues. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among adolescents in Indiana, according to the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide. That same group reports that 22% of high school-age girls and 12% of high school-age boys seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.

The alarming rise in mental health crises is further complicated by a lack of access to quality care. A systemic goal is to help fund in-school therapy services for some students.

Compass Early Learning Center (Monroe County United Ministries)

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS

Compass Early Learning Center offers early education and care to children ages 1-5, prioritizing the needs of children from low-income working families in Monroe County. Many Compass families face food insecurity and struggle to access nutritious and affordable food. To support them, we provide free morning snacks and lunch for all 94 children enrolled at Compass. By alleviating this daily expense, families can pay for other basic needs and focus on economic mobility out of poverty. All Positive Change proceeds will fund our morning snack program, which helps Compass children focus until lunchtime and enhances their emotional regulation by reducing hunger-related symptoms.

WFHB Bloomington Community Radio

AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

WFHB is your community radio station in Bloomington. WFHB exists to provide an open forum for the exchange and discussion of ideas and issues, and to celebrate and increase the local cultural diversity. WFHB envisions a sustainable, diverse, participatory multimedia service that contributes to an entertained, informed, and empowered community. Funds from the Bloomingfoods Positive Change Program will directly support WFHB's ability to continue serving this community, and support efforts the station is making towards ensuring its sustainability.

New Leaf New Life

TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CURRENTLY OR FORMERLY INCARCERATED

New Leaf supports individuals who are currently or formerly incarcerated. Our values are transformative justice, collaboration, and advocacy. Funds will be used to support the work we do at our transition center including providing clothing, shoes, backpacks, reentry support, mentorship, bus tickets, birth certificates, referrals to other social service agencies, housing and employment referrals.

Courage to Change Sober Living

CTC PROVIDES SAFE, AFFORDABLE, LOW BARRIER STAFF AND PEER SUPPORT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN MONROE COUNTY

Courage to Change Sober Living provides safe, low barrier, affordable staff and peer supported transitional housing to those with substance use disorders in Monroe County. We have 6 sober living residences for men and women in Monroe County. The funds will be used to provide rental assistance scholarships for those in our program who come to us with little or no monies to pay for their first two weeks of rent before finding employment.

Hoosier Trails Council (Scouting America)

EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

We deliver well-rounded programming to help youth develop into ethical, contributing members of society. Teaching them life skills, survival skills, how to care for the environment and the world around them, make lifelong friendships, care for others, and make strong moral decisions. One of our current biggest programs is an afterschool STEM program that we run in partnership with already established afterschool programs (YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, etc.) We provide a program aide to teach, and all materials and curriculum, while also paying registration fees for all kids in the Scouting program so they can participate in traditional Scouting, if they so wish, at no cost to their families.

Bloomington Refugee Support Network

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, WELCOMING THE STRANGER

If we were to be the recipient of Positive Change, the money would be used to enhance the lives of asylum seekers and refugees in our community. The Refugee Support Network is an all-volunteer group of folks committed to welcoming the stranger and helping them acclimate to life in the U.S. We exist solely on donations and grants. The money we receive is used to help our clients meet their financial obligations of rent, utilities, internet access, medical needs and transportation, including the purchase of bicycles, both new and used.

WildCare Inc.
EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY

Each year, more than 1,000 injured and infant wildlife come through WildCare Inc.’s doors and benefit from the on- and off-site rehabilitation care provided by our licensed animal care team. Additionally, WildCare provides educational opportunities in the South Central Indiana region, including events at WonderLab, Meadowood Retirement Community, WildCamp, and the Indiana Master Naturalist Program, alongside year-round, hands-on animal-care learning and teaching opportunities for area high-school and university students through internships and volunteer positions. We receive no federal or state funding and rely almost entirely on the generosity of our community to make possible our critical work of rehabilitating and caring for Indiana native wildlife. Positive Change funds will be utilized to continue providing high-quality and consistent care for the animals in our rehabilitative care, which are brought to us by concerned citizens in Bloomington, Monroe County, and surrounding areas. The average cost of weekly care for each animal in rehabilitation is $65. In 2023, we handled 1,313 intakes during the calendar year. As of the end of June 2024, nearly 600 animals had been entrusted with our care.

Hoosier Hills Food Bank
FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH

We will utilize funding to help with food purchases, transportation, and working with local farmers and vendors to purchase food.

Monroe County History Center, Inc.
AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS

With 8,000 feet of gallery space, genealogy library, museum store and community education rooms, the Monroe County History Center is Monroe County's storyteller. In these times, we place special emphasis on telling EVERYONE'S story, and have developed special emphases around Black History, serving children and youth, the LGBTQ+ community and people living with dementia. Positive Change funds will help underwrite the cost of these initiatives, including collections, conservation and education - the necessary gamut of activities.

Lake Monroe Water Fund
AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

The Lake Monroe Water Fund - one of approximately 50 water funds worldwide sparked by the Nature Conservancy and the first in Indiana - works on tangible projects throughout the 400 square miles of land upstream of Lake Monroe to help preserve it as Bloomington's sole drinking water source. The Water Fund focuses on projects that use sustainable, nature-based solutions to improve water quality. Our key objectives include reducing erosion, sediment, and nutrient pollution from faulty septic systems and manure/fertilizer runoff. In 2023, we planted 900 native shrubs and trees, installed 600 willow tree starts, supported septic system maintenance for 41 households, and provided over 500 free soil tests. Through the Positive Change program, your support will help us continue these kinds of impactful conservation projects for a Clean Water Future.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (South Central Indiana)

EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central Indiana facilitates transformative mentorship relationships between adult volunteers and children aged 6-18 through community-based and site-based programs. Our organization focuses on fostering educational success, promoting positive decision-making, and empowering youth to achieve their full potential. Funds raised will directly support the recruitment, screening, training, and ongoing support of volunteer mentors, as well as the implementation of enriching activities and resources for our matches. Contributions will ensure that every child in our program receives the guidance and support needed to thrive in our community, building stronger, more resilient communities across South Central Indiana.

Women Writing for (a) Change - Bloomington

EDUCATION

The Writing for a Change Foundation provides opportunities for individuals to craft more conscious lives through the art of writing and the practices of community. Monies raised through Positive Change will support and expand our community outreach. Currently, we offer learning opportunities via writing circles to incarcerated women and men at the Monroe County Corrections Center, Girl Scouts and Girls Inc., Stone Belt clients and staff, Middle Way House staff, and Marlin Elementary School and the Academy students. We would like to grow our outreach to include writing circle at more local schools and after school programming, as well as circles for women and men in recovery, the growing Spanish speaking population, and people recently released from jail and prison.

The Writers Guild at Bloomington
EDUCATION, SUPPORT OF THE ARTS, COMMUNITY BUILDING, SUPPORTING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Writers Guild at Bloomington is an association of writers, with a membership of over 400, committed to mutual support and the professional development of their craft. Its mission is to foster interaction among writers as well as other artists, educators, and the Monroe County public, thereby enhancing the vibrancy of the arts and the writing community in the greater Bloomington area. Funds from the Positive Change Program would go towards honoraria for local writers and musicians who are featured at our three free reading series each month (one for poetry, one for prose, one for spoken word). In addition, this award would allow for more collaboration and partnerships within the community and would help support our venues, including The Juniper Art Gallery, Monroe County History Center, and the Backspace Gallery.

The Bloomington High School South Band (Boosters)

EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT

The primary mission of the BHSS Band Boosters is to champion the education and well-being of every student in our high school band program. To uphold our commitment to inclusivity and eliminate financial barriers, we will allocate donated funds specifically to provide scholarships for students in need. We are dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to fully engage in the Band program at South, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Our pledge is to create a supportive environment where financial constraints never hinder a student’s participation and growth within the band.

Friends of Lake Monroe

AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

Friends of Lake Monroe was founded in 2016 to protect and enhance Lake Monroe and its watershed. Lake Monroe is the sole source of drinking water for Bloomington and Monroe County. The Bloomingfoods roundup dollars will help us educate the public about the top threats to Lake Monroe (sediment, nutrients, and bacteria); increase the use of conservation practices on farms and forestland in the watershed; and encourage regular septic system maintenance to avoid septic overflow. Together we can improve the quality of water in Lake Monroe and reduce the frequency of harmful algal blooms, protecting our source of drinking water for years to come.

Windfall Dancers, Inc.
EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, ARTS & CULTURE

Windfall is a 501.c.3 nonprofit dance organization. As such, we rely on funding from donors and grants, in addition to fees from class enrollments and ticket sales. Currently, we are undergoing major structural repairs to our roof to ensure that our space remains safe and usable for our community for many years to come and that we can increase our energy efficiency to become more environmentally sustainable. Funds from the Bloomingfoods Positive Change program will be used towards these goals, in addition to helping offset operating costs during our period of construction. This will allow us to continue delivering our mission to the greater Bloomington community.

Limestone Post Magazine

AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

Limestone Post Magazine is a digital publication dedicated to providing high quality reporting on topics that matter, created by a diverse group of freelance contributors. Limestone Post partners with other organizations in order to share expertise and resources. In 2024, Limestone Post contributors have received numerous awards for their reporting, including 1st Place in the “Best in Indiana” Journalism Awards by the Society of Professional Journalists for these articles: “One Emergency from Catastrophe: Who Struggles with Food Insecurity?” by Christina Avery and Haley Miller for Coverage of Social Justice Issues; “Deep Dive: Struggling with Housing Supply, Stability and Subsidies,” by Steve Hinnefeld for Non-Deadline Story or Series; and “The Power Struggle in Indiana’s Changing Energy Landscape,” by Rebecca Hill for Medical or Science Reporting. Limestone Media’s Board believes that excellent, committed news reporting provides the checks and balances needed between citizens and those in power. With more funding, we can create more content that has an even greater impact on our community to be informed and engaged together.

Mobility Aids Lending Library

ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

Mobility Aids Lending Library (MALL) provides free medical and mobility devices, including canes, walkers, scooters, and wheelchairs, to people who need them. MALL’s mission of repurposing donated mobility aids offers an environmentally friendly alternative to discarding functional medical equipment. The funds raised through Bloomingfoods' Positive Change program would be used for refurbishing mobility aids and covering our operational needs such as rental fees for office space. As experienced mobility aid users who live with disabilities ourselves, we provide compassionate peer support to match equipment with people who might otherwise be unable to obtain it due to time or financial constraints, insurance limitations, or other factors. We are a volunteer run community organization founded in 2022, and have since actively provided services to a wide and ever-growing population of Monroe County residents as word about our organizations circulates.

Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc.

RENT AND BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE

Exodus Refugee Immigration is dedicated to the protection of human rights by serving the resettlement needs of refugees and other displaced people fleeing persecution, injustice, and war by welcoming them to Indiana. Funding will assist the Exodus’s Emergency Assistance Program to provide housing assistance and associated basic needs, such as food, clothing, medicine, etc. for newly arriving refugees. This funding is particularly critical, given rapidly rising rental costs, a lack of rental availability in the Bloomington area, and the arrival of clients with little to no notice to the agency. In 2023, Exodus’s Bloomington clients paid an average of $979 for a one-bedroom unit, $1,125 for a two-bedroom unit, and $1,500 to $1,800+ for three- and four-bedroom units. Bloomington’s fair market rate area is more expensive than 83% of the state (https://www.rentdata.org/bloomington-in-hud-metro-fmr-area/2023).

Grant funding will allow recipients of emergency assistance to achieve a measure of security and focus on larger self-sufficiency goals, such as obtaining employment, learning English, addressing medical concerns, or enrolling in higher education.

Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington: Center for Community-Engaged Dissemination and Implementation Research

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH

The mission of the Center for Community-Engaged Dissemination and Implementation Research's (CCEDIR) is to foster meaningful community-academic engagement to improve health. CCEDIR, through the School of Public Health, works with City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and IU Health to provide the Get Onboard Active Living program, a free family wellness education and coaching program to youth (7-17) and parents in Bloomington. Families who sign up will attend interactive weekly sessions where they will learn about nutrition, physical activity, and strategies for healthy behavior change as they participate in group discussions, taste tests, community field trips, activities, and games that allow them to practice the information and skills they are learning and participate in physical activity together as a family. Families also receive individualized support and coaching from GOAL staff in setting and checking weekly health goals and can earn prizes for their attendance and goal achievement. The program is offered three to four times per year, and up to 15-20 families can enroll in each cohort depending on staff and building capacity.

WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology
EDUCATION

WonderLab would like to use Positive Change funds for our First Time Parent (FTP) Membership initiative. Providing year-round educational experiences for children - birth through 3 years old - is of critical importance to the community. Research in early childhood education suggests children’s experiences starting from birth can have a significant impact on their later learning, building important skillsets, and creating positive attitudes about learning. WonderLab addresses the need for quality early learning opportunities through a First Time Parent Membership - a free membership for first-time parents until their child reaches 18 months of age.

WonderLab is the only location in our region that provides STEM-focused experiences, informed by research, for young children and their caregivers; is financially accessible; and is open to the public six days a week, year-round. With external funding support, the First Time Parent membership program can move from being solely supported by WonderLab reserves to a more financially sustainable position. Bloomingfoods Positive Change could completely fund almost three months of new First Time Parent members at WonderLab.

Sojourn House

PUBLIC HEALTH

Sojourn House champions women in and around Monroe County who have been trafficked and exploited. Positive Change funds will be used to supplement two areas:
1. Outreach: expansion of services will include evidence-based programs for survivor clients who are incarcerated.
2. Therapeutic resources: furthering our passion to provide holistic healing opportunities to survivors through well-established community-based therapies including, but not limited to equine, art, and music.

Monroe County – Identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MC-IRIS)

AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY

MC-IRIS is a coalition of Monroe County volunteers working to reduce the environmental and economic impact of invasive plant and animal species in our county through education and action. Funds raised through the Positive Change program will be used to expand the MC-IRIS Reduce Invasive Species (RIS) program by providing small grants to homeowners to help fund the removal of invasive plants. The current RIS program offers free trees or bushes in exchange for the removal of an invasive one. See https://www.mc-iris.org/reduce-invasive-species-challenge.html for further information on the RIS program.

Friends of the Library

EDUCATION, COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Friends of the Library is the foundation that raises funding for 90% of the Library's programming. We cannot keep the Library a vibrant and free community resource without your help!

CanopyBloomington

EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, ARTS & CULTURE

Trees cool the city, mitigate flooding, block noise, slow traffic, increase business in our local stores, provide spaces for recreation and social connection, and even create jobs. Yet our city’s trees are vanishing at an alarming rate. In response, CanopyBloomington does mass tree plantings—completely free of charge—for our most vulnerable neighbors who bear the greatest burdens of climate change. Canopy also teaches the general public how to plant and care for their own trees as a way to prepare for our shared future. Funds raised by Positive Change will support CanopyBloomington’s mission—cultivating a community-powered, equitable, and thriving urban forest.

SCCAP Thriving Connections

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH

Thriving Connections provides support by making the personal and community connections that are important for successful life change. Our close community of low-income families, service learners, volunteers, and community members grow and learn from one another through shared meals, personal development workshops, and community service. We would love to have Bloomingfoods support to fund our mini-grants program, in which we allow our participants to apply for emergency funding. This funding may be to solve a transportation issue that prevents someone from getting to work and it may be a health need that is causing a family to make tough financial decisions. We work with our families to solve the problems we can with existing resources, but sometimes emergency funds are needed.

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