Indianapolis-based media company Audiochuck has awarded IYG a $1 million grant that will allow the LGBTQ+ support organization to work toward its “Safer Spaces” campaign. IYG aims to expand into 10 Indiana cities, with the goal that no young LGBTQ+ person in the state is more than an hour away from affirming services.
IYG, formerly known as Indiana Youth Group, is the oldest continually operating organization for LGBTQ+ young adults in North America. CEO Chris Paulsen said the $1 million will go toward serving an ever-increasing number of young people across the state. Right now, IYG has locations in Indianapolis, Evansville, Crawfordsville, Columbus and Northwest Indiana.
This year, Paulsen said the group wants to expand to South Bend and double the size of its Indianapolis facility, a place where young people can show up, be themselves and have access to basic needs such as a hot meal or a shower.
“We are seeing a huge increase in the number of people that are seeking our services, almost 60% last year over the year before, and that continues to climb as Indiana is becoming more and more unwelcoming for young people, especially gender diverse and transgender young people,” they said.
The grant is Audiochuck’s biggest investment of 2025, at a time when federal funding was cut for many organizations with missions related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Paulsen said IYG has lost support from corporate partners, too.
“This will help fill that gap,” Paulsen said. “We’re hoping it will also serve as a beacon to those corporations that it is okay to support groups that are supporting LGBTQ people, both young people and adults. We’re hoping this maybe gives other companies the guts to stand up.”
As demand for IYG’s services increase, Paulsen said they are looking for more volunteers. You can apply online to be a volunteer.
Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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