2026 Vi Walker Neighborhood Grant Program Recipients

The Neighborhood Grant Program honors the legacy of Vi Walker, a dedicated Meridian-Kessler resident, business owner, and passionate community advocate. Your support of the Home Tour—whether by attending, volunteering, donating, or sponsoring—helps keep the Vi Walker Neighborhood Grant Program thriving! We received 17 grant applications for 2026, totaling $72,417 in requests.

We are proud to fund these 2026 Vi Walker Neighborhood Grant Program Recipients:

• AYS was awarded $5,000 for Scholarships. This grant will provide direct scholarship support to families in need. This will allow approximately 40 – 75 school age children to participate in AYS at CFI #70 and #84 and Butler Lab School #55 and #60.
• Can Lady was awarded $3,000 for Recycle Bins and Vehicle Maintenance. The Can Lady Project has been based in Meridian Kessler since its inception over 10 years ago. Its’ mission is to collect and recycle aluminum cans from residents and businesses in the neighborhood and beyond and convert the scrap value into funding for classroom supplies, teacher grants, and student enrichment programs.
• Freewheelin’ Community Bikes was awarded $3,150 for Earn-a-Bike Supplies. Funds will be used to underwrite the cost of important supply items – Student Tool Kits, Mobile Tool Carts (instruction benches), and bicycle helmet safety equipment for youth participants in need.
• Horizons at St. Richards was awarded $4,150 for their Swim and Water Safety Program, which is a highly unique element of Horizons, a six-week summer program for low-income youth from PreK to eighth grade, with most Horizons students attending IPS schools including 43, 70, and 84.
• Immaculate Heart of Mary was awarded $1,250 for Solar Panels on the school roof which will generate clean energy for over two decades. Annual utility savings are expected to start at $5000, and will go towards outreach ministry projects, including Boulevard Place Food Pantry. IHM teachers plan to incorporate the environmental and STEM aspects of the panels into the curriculum. IHM will also serve as a resource to area churches, schools, businesses, and residents interested in solar panels and promote the concept of clean energy.
• Indy Art Center was awarded $2,000 for the ArtReach Program at Coburn Place. ArtReach youth participate in weekly 1.5-hour lesson plans or workshops facilitated by professional teaching artists during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Approximately 30 youth will benefit from art education workshops this year.
• I Support the Girls was awarded $5,000 for a Peri/Menopause Initiative. Funding will provide up to 100 women experiencing peri/menopause with supply kits. This initiative will serve as a “pilot” for making these kits and supplies more broadly available in the community, with plans to collect data to support future funding requests that would allow continuation and/or expansion of this project.
• Mid-North Food Pantry was awarded 5,000 for Healthy Protein Choices. The pantry operates as a low-barrier, choice pantry that allows neighbors to select the foods that best meet their family’s needs. Protein is consistently the most requested item at the pantry, yet it is also one of the most expensive food categories to purchase and provide. The grant funding allows for one protein choice for approximately 2,500 shoppers, which represents about one month of pantry visits.
• Riviera Club Foundation was awarded $650 for Gardening Supplies. In 2025, the Riviera Garden Group provided 902 pounds of fresh produce to Boulevard Place Food Pantry from the community garden on the Club’s campus. Summer programming includes students from Coburn Place, SHEroes and Freewheelin’ Community Bikes.
• School 55 was awarded $2,600 for Kids Dance Outreach. KDO serves an average of 200 students and works alongside teachers to bring joy and confidence through movement. These 8-week sessions are coveted as a privilege of the 3rd grade class, bringing together classroom communities and instilling persistence and excellence in students.
• School 55 PTO was awarded $1,500 for Art Supplies to support arts-integrated curriculum. Funding will be used to purchase art supplies used for identity panels, arts integration, and project-based learning across all classrooms.
• Tabernacle Presbyterian Church was awarded $1670 for Tide Pods, Ponchos and Umbrellas for the Blessing Table, which offers personal hygiene items during their Open Door Café. There is no cost, and each person can go through the table to select the items they may need.
• Womack Memorial CME Church was awarded $5,030 for a Basketball Program for youth in the neighborhood. The goal is to provide structure, exercise, skill building, socialization, and development of leadership skills within a safe and secure environment.