AREA 10 AGENCY ON AGING
EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH
Our Positive Change rewards will directly benefit our Mobile Food Pantry, which delivers supplemental groceries to home-bound individuals, including fresh produce from our Area 10 raised garden. We reach over 300 individuals monthly through this service and serve over 3,000 through all Area 10 services. We also use the support for providing emergency food services, both grocery and home delivered, whenever needed. 

ARTS ALLIANCE OF GREATER BLOOMINGTON

EDUCATION, SUSTAINABILITY
Funds will be used to improve and increase our online Arts Directory, connecting artists of all arts genres with each other and the community.  Funds will also go towards a staff person to help market local Artists and manage our Arts Center.  We are currently an all-volunteer organization which limits our abilities. Funds will go towards helping to maintain our Arts Center which provides space for artists to have performances, classes and a place to display.  Funds will help artists of low income to support themselves and to enrich our community.

BEACON, INC.
FOOD ACCESS, HOUSING
Beacon aids and empowers individuals experiencing extreme poverty, especially hunger and homelessness. Our six programs provide hunger relief, housing, and shelter to thousands of people each year. All Positive Change proceeds will fund Phil's Kitchen, our hunger relief program, which provides breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday to hundreds of people each week. In 2021, Phil's Kitchen served 69,385 meals. With Positive Change's support, Beacon will continue to feed individuals experiencing extreme poverty in our community.

BLOOMINGTON COOPERATIVE LIVING
SUSTAINABILITY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SAFE HOUSING FOR LGBTQ+ PEOPLE
We have never engaged in an eviction proceeding with a resident, instead working to come to democratic and mutually-beneficial decisions about membership. It is commonplace to work with members who are struggling to make payment plans and we often forgive late fees or rent owed when a member is truly unable to pay. The funds from Positive Change would give us the ability to extend these opportunities to more members for longer periods of time, giving members more time to find work or organize their finances so that they can start making regular payments such that they would be able to stay a part of the Bloomington Cooperative Living Membership. This would create stability not only in the lives of the members who would benefit but in our growing community. Limiting turnover and supporting members long-term makes the cooperative stronger and more resilient. 

BLOOMINGTON MEALS ON WHEELS
FOOD ACCESS
Bloomington Meals on Wheels provides medically-tailored meals to Bloomington residents who are unable to prepare nutritious meals due to chronic illness, serious disability, or advanced age. Volunteers deliver two prepared meals, one hot and one cold, over lunchtime each day Monday through Friday. Funds raised will provide meals for 40% of our recipients who cannot afford the $12 per day fee. $10,000 would provide 2,000 meals for your Bloomington neighbors.

BLOOMINGTON WINTER FARMERS' MARKET
AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY
The Bloomington Winter Farmers' Market manages a summer and winter farmers' market, giving our community access to fresh local food year round while supporting local farms and businesses. Positive Change funds will be used to help with the Woolery Farmers' Market, our summer market, SNAP matching program which helps food insecure families gain access to nourishing, fresh, local food. This matching program allows food insecure customers to get double the money they withdraw on their EBT card up to $27 each week. It is an incredible way to bring these families to the farmers' market, give them access to fresh local food, help them connect with the local food community, and educate them about local, seasonal, healthy eating. This program empowers families with the opportunity to make healthy food choices, and develop wonderful, health and community focused weekly routines that will be passed down to their children.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BLOOMINGTON
EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The vision of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington is to provide all youth and teens in Monroe County high quality experiences that lead to fulfilling and meaningful lives. We believe in fostering integrity, citizenship, excellence and teamwork. The funds will be used to help support activities at our clubs and after school programs for youth.

 
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY

SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA
FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH
Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana is a local nonprofit organization that provides FREE cancer support services to anyone impacted by cancer including cancer patients and survivors, their family members, friends, and even caregivers. Our mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community, so that no one faces cancer alone. Our programs provide support in mental health, nutrition and wellness, social connections, information and education, and financial assistance as someone is facing the many challenges posed by cancer. Funds will be used where needed most in 2024, but likely on our Nutrition for Wellness program which provides a monthly live cooking demonstration by a local chef to teach preparation and cooking of a simple, nutritious, and cost-effective meal; and our Patient Assistance Fund which provides grocery and gas gift cards to cancer patients in active treatment who meet income requirements for financial assistance.

CANOPYBLOOMINGTON
EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY
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. We also teach the general public how 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, lush and thriving urban forest.

COMMUNITY AIDS ACTION GROUP

OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA
PUBLIC HEALTH
The Community AIDS Action Group (CAAG) of South Central Indiana is a coalition of member agencies and individuals working to end the HIV epidemic. Since 1999, CAAG has provided HIV education and prevention outreach throughout South Central Indiana. CAAG also supports people living with HIV through direct financial assistance for meals, housing, and other necessities. In 2022, over $5,700 was distributed to clients living in Bloomington and Terre Haute areas. Funding from Bloomingfoods will help expand CAAG’s programming by bringing together community members and organizations to help decrease the transmission and impact of HIV in our community. 

COMMUNITY KITCHEN OF MONROE COUNTY, INC.
FOOD ACCESS
Community Kitchen is the largest provider of free meals in Monroe County. We provide dinner services to anyone in need, no questions asked, from two permanent locations and various mobile site six days/week. In addition, we have programs targeted to provide food to children, seniors and the chronically ill, where they are. In 2022, we provided 298,151 meals; 62% of the people we served were children while 15% were seniors and 14% were unhoused. 

CONSERVATION LAW CENTER
AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY
We are lawyers, advocates, and educators who care deeply about the natural world and people’s relationship to it. We work to protect and improve the health, diversity, beauty, and resilience of the planet and defend our shared natural heritage. CLC provides legal support to other conservation nonprofits and works with clients on a wide range of transactional, policy, and litigation matters pertaining to regional, national, and international conservation issues. CLC has particular interest and expertise in issues related to natural habitat protection, conservation easements, the Public Trust doctrine, endangered species protection, and the protection of freshwater ecosystems (especially in the Great Lakes region). While we focus on land, water, and species, climate change is a factor in nearly all the issues we address.

COURAGE TO CHANGE SOBER LIVING
PUBLIC HEALTH, SERVICES TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM SUBSTANCE MISUSE DISORDER
Courage to Change Sober Living provides safe, low barrier, affordable staff and peer supported transitional housing to those suffering from substance misuse disorder in Monroe County.  Funds will be used to support our two women's and two men's residences by supporting our house/case managers and by providing rent scholarships to those entering our program from prison or jail who lack the funds to pay the first months rent at our residences. 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE INSTITUTE
EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY
Bloomingfoods Positive Change revenue would support ERI's climate-action work with McKinney Climate Fellows and the Resilience Cohort. The funding would help cover Bloomington-based MCF scholarships and program costs, and Resilience Cohort expenses. Climate Action Planning changes lives by initiating systemic changes in city-wide systems to have enormous impacts on carbon emissions, air and water quality, climate change, environmental and agricultural health, and quality of life. Bloomingfoods members can help Bloomington and Monroe County take action on climate change in a meaningful way by supporting ERI's small team of experts and our 30-40 McKinney Climate Fellows, who often go on to stay in Indiana with green jobs after graduation. Together we can address the climate crisis and make Bloomington a healthy and vibrant place to live for many generations to come!

FOUNDATION MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS
Funds will be used to support the Food Assistance program.  The food assistance program supports students who do not have funds in their lunch account.  Last year the program helped more than 2000 children during the school year. 

FRIENDS OF BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK
EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH
Friends of Brown County State Park supports interpretation and programming in the park. Our current projects include the restoration of the historical Peachtree Shelter (a Civilian Conservation Corps building on Trail 10), and repair of tennis courts with the addition of outdoor pickle ball courts. 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

OF MONROE COUNTY
EDUCATION, SUSTAINABILITY, AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP 
For 35 years, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County (HFHMC) has been committed to building and sustaining affordable homeownership opportunities for local families and individuals. All families in the program qualify based on a need for housing; ability to pay back an affordable mortgage; and a willingness to partner with the organization by volunteering at least 250 hours of sweat equity through homeowner readiness classes, volunteering at the Habitat ReStore, and building their neighbors' and their own homes. Since 1988, HFHMC has built 227 homes, housing nearly 840 individuals, including 475 children. HFHMC is currently building homes in its third neighborhood, Osage Place, and the funds raised through the Positive Change program will be used to purchase the materials needed to build a future home in the neighborhood.

HOOSIER YOUTH PHILHARMONIC
MUSIC EDUCATION
The money from these funds will be used to provide travel support for state and national competitions and to support other activities that the orchestra director and students identify over the course of the year. These may include the purchase of instruments and music, as well as scholarships to camps and additional travel funds for students that need assistance with these items.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

MONROE COUNTY
EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, WOMENS HEALTH AND VOTER ACCESS
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages informed and active Participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy. The funds will be used to support our outreach through printed materials, social media, Podcasts and  other Voter Education materials

LIMESTONE MEDIA
AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY
Limestone Post is an independent, nonprofit magazine that publishes in-depth articles that feed our readers with knowledge from the arts and outdoors to sustainability and social justice. Our content is created by local writers, photographers, illustrators, designers, and videographers; therefore, funds from Bloomingfoods Positive Change will help to pay a fair fee to these contributors so they can inform readers about pressing issues in the community. Funds would also assist our working volunteer board to develop and implement a 3 year strategic plan, continue to support our free events calendar, and market our magazine to more readers. 

LOTUS EDUCATION & ARTS FOUNDATION
EDUCATION
For the past 30 years, our mission has been and remains to create opportunities to experience, celebrate, and explore the diversity of the world’s cultures, through music and the arts. We are a small core staff with a Board of Directors that is representative of our city, and an Advisory Board comprised of dedicated community members who believe in our mission. These funds will go towards our free community programming, which occurs throughout the year.

MIDDLE WAY HOUSE
EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Middle Way House is a social services organization that has existed in the Bloomington Community for over 50 years supporting all Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our comprehensive services include Prevention Programs, Crisis Intervention, Legal Advocacy, Emergency Shelter, Childcare and Youth Programs, Support Groups, and Transitional Housing (The RISE!). Funds will be used to support these programs in terms of operation costs that directly effect the delivery of our services.

MIDWEST PAGES TO PRISONERS PROJECT
EDUCATION
MWPP is a local, all-volunteer, non-hierarchical, collectively-run books to prisoners project that sends free books, zines, and resource guides to prisoners locked up in 9 states, including Indiana.  Volunteers read letters from prisoners and write a personal response letter back along with 3-4 books from our donated library that match the person's reading request. Funds will be used to support the cost of postage to mail packages of books and to purchase necessary supplies such as postage stamps, packing tape, special request books, and printer ink. 

MONROE COUNTY UNITED MINISTRIES

EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC MOBILITY 
Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty through intergenerational programming that provides basic and financial needs assistance, self-sufficiency coaching, and affordable high-quality early learning.  Our Self-Sufficiency Center addresses the most urgent and basic needs first through access to food, cleaning, and hygiene products. Clients can then enroll in our economic mobility mentorship Your Path program that helps set short and long-term goals for their family. Caregiver’s employment opportunities are supported through access to high-quality early learning at our Compass Early Learning Center where we reduce education inequities for low-income children while preparing them for kindergarten. Funding from Bloomingfoods Positive Change would be intentionally invested into each community member’s unique path to self-sufficiency to help end generational poverty in Bloomington.  

MOTHER HUBBARD'S CUPBOARD

AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY
Funds from Bloomingfoods Positive Change will be used to support MHC’s low-barrier, client-choice food pantry, which provides access to healthy food in ways that cultivate dignity, self-sufficiency, and community. MHC’s pantry supports 10,000 visits per month, providing community members with free access to a variety of foods, with an emphasis on fresh produce donated by and purchased from local growers.

NEW HOPE FAMILY SHELTER
FOOD ACCESS, EMERGENCY SHELTER
New Hope for Families is a community leader in social services for families in crisis.  It administers a dynamic emergency shelter program, keeping families together and equipping them to progress into stable housing, and offers a vibrant, high quality early learning program that gives children the good start they deserve and nurtures advantages that last a lifetime.

Funds received from Bloomingfoods' Positive Change program will help provide meals and nutritious snacks for 48 children birth to age 5 in our early learning program, and will also support New Hope’s acclaimed "Plot to Tot” education program. "Plot to Tot” encourages young children to develop positive attitudes toward healthy foods, through age-appropriate gardening experiences, a network of local growers, and menus emphasizing fresh fruits and vegetables.

NEW LEAF, NEW LIFE
PUBLIC HEALTH
New Leaf, New Life provides services to individuals that are currently/recently incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail to aid in their reentry back into our community. This includes support with obtaining employment, housing, treatment, and living essentials. Funding will be used to assist individuals with housing, clothing & shoes for employment, and other necessary items like hygiene & office supplies.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION FOUNDATION
OF MONROE COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH
The Monroe County Parks and Recreation Foundation would utilize Positive Change funds to support Bug Fest, an annual educational event that provides the Monroe County community an opportunity learn about insects and their relationship with the environment. Bug Fest is a free event that is also utilized as a food drive for Hoosier Hills Food Bank. We encourage participants to donate food in lieu of the event being free. 
  

PEOPLE & ANIMAL LEARNING SERVICES (PALS)
EDUCATION, THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, REC. ACTIVITIES, DISABILITIES SERVICES
PALS programs are designed to inspire emotional, cognitive, social , and physical growth through engaging activities with horses. Our adaptive riding and ground lessons are for children and adults with physical, developmental, learning, or emotional differences. We also partner with local organizations and offer special programs to groups including seniors, youth in at-risk situations, veterans, and individuals on their journey to addiction recovery. 

PEAK SANCTUARY
EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY
PEAK Sanctuary provides lifelong sanctuary for turkeys, goats, cows, chickens and pigs rescued from animal agriculture. We provide educational programs; our Sanctuary is a haven for all with a focus on social justice. In the summer of 2023 we celebrated our 10th anniversary as a nonprofit! If selected as a Positive Change Program recipient, funds would support our animal rights, food justice and environmental stewardship education programs, along with the lifelong care of the residents who call PEAK home.

SPENCER PRIDE, INC.
EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
At Spencer Pride, our mission is to develop community, promote wellness, and provide education. Through our community center and the array of services we provide, we are creating a thriving and inclusive community where all members can flourish. Donated funds will be used to strengthen and expand our extensive health and wellness programs, our mental health and community building program for youth, and our supportive services for the broader community.

SYCAMORE LAND TRUST
ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY
Sycamore Land Trust was founded in 1990 to preserve the beauty, health, and diversity of southern Indiana’s natural landscape through strategic land conservation and environmental education. We preserve 10,418 acres on over 141 permanently protected properties, restoring declining habitats like wetlands and native wildflower meadows to support rare and endangered species. We maintain over 30 miles of free hiking trails on 13 public preserves and our Environmental Education Program connects thousands of people of all ages and abilities to nature through guided hikes and free outdoor nature programming for local schools and community organizations. A donation to Sycamore will help create a future in which southern Indiana has diverse and abundant habitats for native plants and animals, clean air and water, working lands that are productive and sustainable, and people who embrace the connection between a healthy environment and our quality of life.

 
TANDEM COMMUNITY BIRTH CENTER AND POSTPARTUM HOUSE, INC
PUBLIC HEALTH
We are building our region's first community birth center.  This is a massive undertaking.  It will feature 2 birth suites for birth complete with birth tubs available for laboring and/or birthing in.  We are excited to offer a safe and accessible midwifery-led birth option for families in out community. The funds generated by Positive Change will help us launch our birth services in our new birth center.

TEMPLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
EDUCATION
Located in the heart of Bloomington next to Bryan Park, Templeton is home to more than 500 students PreK-6th grade. We are unique in a number of ways. We are the district’s only Random Acts of Kindness School. Our instructional model includes multiage classrooms, inclusionary practices for English Language Learners, and we aim to create lifelong learners prepared to thrive in a global society. Funds will be used to support  the teachers, students, and families of Templeton. Being a Title I school over 40% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch. 

THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING

(NEIGHBORHOOD PLANTING PROJECT, BLOOMINGTON BIKE PROJECT, SOLAR FOR ALL)
AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD ACCESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY
Through diverse efforts, such as the Neighborhood Planting Project, Indiana Solar for All and the Bloomington Community Bike Project, the Center for Sustainable Living decreases the community’s reliance on fossil fuels and makes food sustainability, green energy, green transportation, and self-sufficiency attainable for all, regardless of race, class, or sexual orientation.

Each of these projects works to provide sustainable lifestyle options for people with limited income: by providing free, sustainable transportation (through the Earn-a-Bike program), free food-bearing native plants for their yards (71,000 since 2017), and free installation of solar power on their homes (8-12 households per year). The CSL is the non-profit umbrella that supports these projects and many others. If selected as a Positive Change recipient, the funds would be directed to these three projects, who currently have the greatest need for funding.

WONDERLAB MUSEUM

OF SCIENCE, HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY
WonderLab strives to build curious and creative problem solvers, inspired by the wonder of science, who will shape a brighter future for themselves, our community, and our world. Through hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) experiences, visitors of all ages can learn about and interact with the world around them. Funds raised by Positive Change will go towards WonderLab’s Connecting to the Community (C2C) fund, which ensures that everyone - regardless of income or socioeconomic status - has access to science education. C2C provides discounted admission and WonderCamp scholarships for families with low incomes, and free visits for service organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brother Big Sisters, Head Start, CASA, New Hope for Families, and many more. After an unprecedented increase in demand for discounted admission and camp scholarships over the past year, support for WonderLab’s C2C fund is needed more than ever.