Hope, Rush County among grant recipients to combat isolation and loneliness

This pilot program aims to combat isolation and loneliness by funding projects that enhance social connections within communities, with a focus on Hoosiers living in rural areas.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced 10 communities and organizations will be awarded funding through the Building Socially Connected Communities program.

This pilot program aims to combat isolation and loneliness by funding projects that enhance social connections within communities, with a focus on Hoosiers living in rural areas.

“It is so fitting that the Building Socially Connected Communities awardees are announced today on World Mental Health Day,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Loneliness is an epidemic within Indiana’s existing battle with mental illness and addiction, and I celebrate OCRA’s commitment to combat that in rural Indiana.” 

Communities and organizations receiving Building Socially Connected Communities grant funding include:

    Town of Vernon is awarded $50,000

    Town of Hope is awarded $44,285

    Rush County Economic and Community Development Corporation is awarded $27,000

    Merom Camp and Retreat Center, is awarded $24,500

    Brown County Art Gallery Foundation is awarded $20,000

    Owen County Community Foundation is awarded $14,000

    Orange County Community Gardens is awarded $9,215

    Thriving Grant County, INC. is awarded $5,000

    Traditional Arts Today is awarded $5,000

    North Daviess Spanish 4 is awarded $1,000

Of the 10 communities funded this round, the average population size is 2,757 residents. The largest community awarded is Rushville, with a population of 6,135, and the smallest community is Merom, with 206 residents.

 “This pilot round of the Building Socially Connected Communities program had a total available funding of $200,000, and we saw a request of more than $800,000 through the application process,” said OCRA Executive Director Duke Bennett. “This kind of demand is very encouraging to see and truly emphasizes the need for a program helping enhance social connection in our rural communities.”

Throughout the implementation of these projects, awardees will participate in a community of practice, allowing them to share insights, strategies and best practices to maximize the impact of their initiatives. In July 2026, a virtual town hall will be held for awardees to present their projects and discuss the impacts they are observing.

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