Grant will help build capacity to keep pace
with evolving needs of military community
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lilly Endowment Inc. has
approved a $10 million grant to the
American Red Cross to strengthen and expand its Service to the
Armed Forces (SAF) program. This grant will help enhance the
organization's critical support for U.S. military members, veterans
and their families by providing new technology, expanding support
programs and optimizing workforce readiness to meet evolving needs
in an increasingly complex global environment.
The Red Cross has served the military community for more than
140 years, providing a wide range of support to active-duty service
members, veterans and their loved ones. The grant will help ensure
that the Red Cross continues to be there as needs evolve in the
military community.
"Every day, military members and their families face unique
challenges — whether it's receiving an emergency message about a
loved one or transitioning back to civilian life," said
Cliff Holtz, president and CEO of
the American Red Cross. "Lilly Endowment's generous support will
help us strengthen our services and grow our capacity to meet the
increasing needs of military families and veterans. We are deeply
grateful for this commitment to our mission."
The investment will enhance several key areas of the Red Cross
SAF program, including:
- Modernizing technology: Developing a new case
management system to improve the delivery of complex casework
services in Hero Care Centers for active-duty military
members, veterans and their families.
- Optimizing the workforce: Increasing the expeditionary
mobile readiness of the Red Cross workforce to support military
personnel, especially for complex and remote military
operations.
- Diversifying partnerships and expanding programs:
Investing in specialized staff who will work alongside government
agencies and private sector partners to enhance collaboration and
create sustainable funding opportunities.
"The American Red Cross plays a critical role in helping
active-duty military members and their families by supporting them
in times of crisis and in helping them transition to life back home
after their service to the nation has ended," said, N. Clay Robbins, Lilly Endowment's Chairman and
CEO. "We are pleased to be able to help the Red Cross strengthen
its abilities to provide valuable support to military personnel and
veterans and their families to whom we all owe a debt of
gratitude."
Lilly Endowment has a longstanding history of supporting the Red
Cross, dating back to its first grant in 1941. Most recently, Lilly
Endowment made a $5 million grant to
support disaster relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes Helene
and Milton. In 2022, Lilly Endowment provided a $40 million grant to help increase Red Cross
response capacity to more frequent and intense disasters.
About the Lilly Endowment:
Lilly Endowment
Inc. is an Indianapolis-based
private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli
and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical
business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the
financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate
entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and
location. In keeping with its founders' wishes, the Endowment
supports the causes of community development, education and
religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of
religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders'
hometown, Indianapolis, and home
state, Indiana.
About the American Red Cross:
The American
Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of
disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills
that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and
supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red
Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and
the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For
more information, please visit
redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org,
or follow us on social media.
National Headquarters
431 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
redcross.org
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SOURCE American Red Cross
