$50,000 goal to receive a matching grant through IHCDA’s CreatINg Places initiative

ANDERSON, Ind. (Feb. 13, 2025) – Anderson will soon improve access to food with a new community kitchen if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by April 14, 2025. If successful, the project, led by Bloom Madison County, will receive a matching grant as part of IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.

“This campaign is an incredible opportunity to invest in our local food system while empowering our community," said Anna Ulam, Co-Director of Bloom Madison County. "Growing is having the audacity to hope - together, we can transform this space into a hub for education, creativity and connection, planting the seeds for a stronger, more resilient Anderson."

Funds from this campaign will be used to transform unused space into a community kitchen and classroom providing opportunities to community members to better understand food and food systems. Bloom Madison County will improve the space with new lighting, windows, electrical upgrades, a new stove, ice machine, double oven, seating, landscaping, a garden and a mural.

"Creativity is at the heart of what we do, and this campaign is about creating a space where food and art can come together to inspire growth," said Olivia Willard, Co-Director of Bloom Madison County. "By building this community kitchen and classroom, we're cultivating not just better access to food, but opportunities for creativity, collaboration and connection that will enrich Anderson for years to come."

Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $12 million in public funds and an additional $10 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.