Indianapolis, Indiana – The Wellness Council of Indiana (WCI), an affiliate of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, has received a $25,000 grant from the Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation (BFO) to expand its work promoting health and well-being throughout Indiana communities.
The funding will directly support WCI’s Indiana Healthy Communities initiative — a program that encourages county-level collaboration to address key public health issues. By focusing on mental health, chronic disease prevention, and economic wellness, the program brings together employers, nonprofits, and local leaders to foster healthier and more vibrant communities.
This grant comes as part of BFO’s very first funding cycle, during which it awarded more than $172,000 to 11 different organizations. Each group is working to advance health and wellness outcomes across BFO’s eight-county service region: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties.
WCI Executive Director Ashley O’Rourke expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership and the broader mission at hand.
“We’re excited to continue helping employers in southern Indiana as they strive to improve the collective health of their workforces,” shares WCI Executive Director Ashley O’Rourke. “The BFO is a great addition to Indiana’s wellness community and is already making a major impact.”
The Indiana Healthy Communities program has been a growing effort in recent years, with multiple counties participating in initiatives ranging from employee wellness challenges to community-wide efforts aimed at increasing access to mental health resources. The program works by aligning stakeholders — from local governments and businesses to healthcare providers and educators — to set health improvement goals and track progress over time.
Christian Blome, president of the BFO Foundation, emphasized the strong alignment between the two organizations’ missions.
“We are thrilled to support the Wellness Council of Indiana and its impactful umbrella Healthy Communities program,” says Christian Blome, BFO president. “The organization’s commitment to improving health outcomes and addressing disparities in our communities aligns with our mission to create lasting, positive change.”
With the grant now in place, WCI plans to continue expanding its reach in southern Indiana, ensuring that more counties have the tools and support needed to tackle health disparities and improve quality of life.
To learn more about WCI’s Indiana Healthy Communities program and how it helps drive economic vitality through wellness, visit https://www.wellnessindiana.org/programs/indiana-healthy-communities.
