Charities

Dayspring provides homeless families and their children with the tools and resources to live a healthier, independent way of life. Dayspring is an emergency shelter for homeless families, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Families seeking assistance at our emergency shelter are typically at a crisis stage and require the compassionate care and support of our case management team. While the bare necessities of food, clothing & shelter are of critical importance, Dayspring’s experienced case managers work with each family to develop a plan to help them address the underlying issues of their homelessness. When families are stabilized and ready to leave the emergency shelter facility, Dayspring services continue through the Follow-up Case Management Program.

Extra Life is a DIY fundraising program where gamers raise money for their local children's hospital by hosting their own gaming marathons, tabletop events, live streams, and content creation campaigns on their own terms and timeline.

Peyton Manning Children's Hospital in Indianapolis is a full-service pediatric hospital dedicated to the needs of children and families. When you choose Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, your child’s care is comprehensive and connected across care teams – from 24/7 pediatric emergency care and trauma care to primary care, mental health care and specialty care.

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana was established in 1980. As the largest food bank in Indiana, we source, store, and distribute nutritious food at scale, providing nearly half of all charitable food distributed in Indiana.

Starlight Children’s Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on bringing comfort, play, and joy to seriously ill and hospitalized children through programs such as character-themed hospital gowns, toy deliveries, and gaming; in 2024, Starlight says it reached more than 3 million pediatric patients and families at 824 hospitals and medical facilities across the United States. Within the Ghostbusters world, Starlight functions as a key official charity partner through Sony Pictures’ Ghostbusters Give Back initiative: the official Ghostbusters site lists Starlight as the pre-approved charity for groups that do not already have a cause, and says Sony Pictures will match contributions up to $150,000 with donations to Starlight to create official Ghostbusters-themed hospital gowns. The partnership has grown out of years of Ghostbusters fan-community fundraising, with Starlight noting that more than 20 Ghostbusters fan groups helped raise over $70,000 for programs including the special Ghostbusters-themed Starlight Gown.

About the AFSP Indiana Chapter The grassroots work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide. The Indiana Chapter was chartered in 2008. As a part of AFSP’s growing nationwide network of chapters, we bring together people from all backgrounds who want to prevent suicide in our communities. Families and friends who have lost someone to suicide, vulnerable individuals, mental health professionals, clergy, educators, students, community/business leaders, and many others energize our chapter.

Special Olympics Indiana energizes athletes by organizing 10 dynamic Areas, each led by dedicated volunteers to support County Programs and host exciting regional competitions. Athletes thrive in vibrant community events, competing in various meets to earn their place in state-level championships.

IYG creates safer spaces to foster community and provides programming that empowers LGBTQ+ young people and magnifies their voices.

Child Advocates serves Indiana children and youth who are in the child welfare system because they experienced abuse and/or neglect in their home. We provide free legal services, including the only program in the state that provides attorneys, for older children, who stand up for their rights in court. We also serve children, across our state, who face life traumas or challenges that can impact their success in school. Our Educational Liaisons help address their social, emotional, and academic needs to help them thrive. We champion justice, opportunity, and well-being for these vulnerable children. Our goal is to help build a better future for every child. We make a commitment to address their needs, stand up for their rights, and work tirelessly to keep them safe and secure. We are also a welcoming agency for the LGBTQ+ community.

Speedway Animal Rescue (SAR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, foster-based rescue dedicated to making the 4.77-square-mile town of Speedway, Indiana, a no-kill community. By partnering exclusively with the Town of Speedway, SAR diverts unclaimed stray animals from traditional shelters by placing them into loving foster homes until they are adopted.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis believes every young person deserves to live a life filled with hope and opportunity. Because we care about our young people, we provide a safe, educational and positive atmosphere where they can prosper and reach their full potential.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County is one of very few open-admission, truly no kill shelters in the country. We believe every animal deserves a chance to live, love and be loved regardless of age, breed, special medical needs, or disabilities. Our mission is to save lives, educate communities, and complete families. Because of our remarkable team, and supporters like you, we are building a brighter future for both Hamilton County and Hoosier animals.

The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are the only organization working to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

The Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership, Inc. was established in 1998 by a group of Indianapolis citizens concerned about the continuing high rate of euthanasia in our city. ARPO seeks to unite animal-related businesses and organizations in central Indiana for the purpose of promoting responsible pet ownership and decreasing the number of companion animals surrendered to shelters. ARPO is funded solely by donations and is staffed entirely by volunteers. We do not have a shelter, so all of our adoptable animals are housed in temporary foster homes until loving permanent homes are found. If you would like more information on becoming a foster parent, please contact us.

Our mission is to provide stress-free living for homeless animals until adopted, and if unable to be adopted they may live a comfortable life at our sanctuary. We connect people with animals, whether it be through adoption, education, or as a part of our therapy programs.

The Indiana State Fair Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. It primarily focuses on raising funds for youth agricultural development (such as 4-H and FFA), hosting community events like the annual Harvest Dinner, and operating an Employee Assistance Fund.

Indiana Wish inspires hope and creates joy for Indiana children and their families by granting wishes to children ages 3-18 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.

Misty Eyes Animal Center rehabilitates and re-homes dogs and cats. In addition to adoption the organization offers community outreach and youth outreach programs. These programs teach responsible pet ownership and kindness toward all living things. Many of these programs are designed to help those in underserved areas. The organization is 100% volunteer run. They are in the process of building a four building campus and are currently on phase two of four. If you would like to help please visit their website.

Indy Neighborhood Cats is a 501c3 nonprofit organization which is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Trap- Neuter-Return (TNR) is the only non-lethal three-step method to reduce the number of free roaming cats both immediately and in the long term. To put it simply, it is the gold standard. One of the cornerstones of Indianapolis is a deep-rooted responsibility for civic engagement and service. Our organization seeks to build a lasting and thriving TNR program that recruits and guides the citizens of our city to work together and manage the cat population, much like the well-known Neighborhood Watch program. Along with our TNR Program, Indy Neighborhood Cats is in the field providing ongoing colony care support such as warm winter shelters, food, Spay/Neuter resources and medical care to cats living outdoors in Indianapolis. Our organization’s board members have over 50 years of collective animal welfare and program management experience. We are working on a strategic plan with Indianapolis Animal Care Services to identify the areas of our city with the highest number of kitten and cat surrenders in our cities most vulnerable neighborhoods. We, as a conscientious organization, believe that all community cats deserve care, compassion and protection for their entire lives. Fundamentally, we seek to improve their quality of life through our humane education, advocacy and outreach to all communities in Indianapolis.

Ghostbusters: Texas Rangers Division (GBTRD) is the first official Ghostbusters 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, dedicated to public service and community enrichment. We leverage the universal appeal of the Ghostbusters franchise to deliver memorable, family-friendly entertainment, primarily through costumed appearances at events and fundraisers. Our mission is centered on engaging the community, making a positive local impact, and supporting various charitable beneficiaries across North Texas. We are dedicated to "Bustin' Ghosts & Making A Difference" for our neighbors.

Voices Against Cancer is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for pediatrics, pediatric cancer, and pediatric cancer research. Children are our future, and the future is worth fighting for. Almost 50 children are diagnosed with cancer EVERY day in the U.S., with survival rates differing for different types of childhood cancers – but overall, childhood cancer remains the most common cause of death by disease among children in the U.S. Even though the most common types of childhood cancers are leukemias and brain/central nervous system cancers, there are more then 12 major types of childhood cancers and over 100 subtypes. Sadly, current statistics show that 1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. will not survive. With only about 4% of all federal funding for cancer research going to projects involving children’s cancers, it is up to us to make a difference and to help #GiveKidsAVoice. Childhood cancer also impacts the entire family – the child going through treatment, the siblings who support and also need support as they are at risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties, and the parents who will sometimes lose up to 50% of their annual household income as a result of childhood cancer treatment-related work disruptions or having to quit their job to care for their child. One of the major goals of childhood cancer research is to deal with side-effects of cancer treatment which can range widely from minor to severe, and they are dependent on a child’s specific treatments. Because kids are still growing and developing during cancer treatment, and these treatments are so harsh, many survivors face late-effects years or even decades after treatment is over. Better treatment, better protocols, and better options are needed today. The majority of the funding that we use to support pediatrics, pediatric cancer, and pediatric cancer research comes from our Annual Voices Against Cancer’s 605 Pop Culture Con. The 605 Pop Culture Con includes a host of AMAZING TALENT who have epically rallied together to battle this horrible disease. These celebrities have been the defining voices and faces of generations, representing many different genres and franchises. In addition to iconic voice and screen actors, there will also be famed authors, numerous costumed performers for photo opportunities, original artwork from ridiculously talented artists, one-of-a kind silent auction items, and vendors selling very cool items for you to get signed or to augment your prized collections! The local Sioux Empire St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving Event will also be going on at the same time as another show of support for children battling cancer.

Mission Statement Sioux Empire TNR provides compassionate, community-driven solutions to cat overpopulation. Through TNR, adoptions, education and outreach, our mission is to promote feline welfare for all cats including community and owned cats. Vision Statement A Sioux Empire where rescues, shelters, government officials and compassionate community members work together to ensure all cats live healthy and happy lives. Values Statement Compassion — Every cat — feral, community or owned — is a life worth protecting. Community — We can’t do this alone, and we don’t try to. We build coalitions because lasting change takes all of us. Education — An informed community is our most powerful tool. We share knowledge freely so more people can be part of the solution. Integrity — As a 100% volunteer-run organization, we honor and value every donation and every life entrusted to our care.

The 605 Community Impact Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities across South Dakota through charitable outreach, public events, education, arts and cultural programming, and immersive community experiences that bring people together. We support local initiatives focused on community well-being, including food insecurity, family support, youth engagement, health and hygiene access, and other community needs. Through fundraising, volunteerism, entertainment, pop culture, and creative public outreach, we create meaningful local impact while building stronger community connections. By combining creativity, storytelling, performance art, and interactive experiences, we educate, inspire, entertain, and give back to the communities we serve. it serves.