LUM receives $375,000 grant

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) is getting some extra help to complete its new youth center.

In a press conference Tuesday morning at the future site of LUM's new Youth Program Center, LUM announced the Kresge foundation, a private philanthropic foundation of Troy, Michigan, has awarded a challenge grant totaling $375,000.

LUM can only obtain the money if it reaches its campaign goal of collecting $2.8 million. LUM Executive Director Joe Micon said another $900,000 needs to be raised before LUM can receive the grant.

"These grants are only awarded to organizations upon the successful completion of their campaigns. In this case, Lafayette Urban Ministry's $2.8 million campaign for the Future. Right now, Lafayette Urban Ministry has raised just over $1.9 million and so we have about another $900,000 to raise before the end of 2010. When we raise that amount, then the Kresge foundation will send their $375,000," said Micon.

Micon said donations are welcomed to raise the needed $900,000.

"The community can be really excited because their dollars will go further, they will stretch farther. They will be leveraged to bring new dollars, significant new dollars to our community. It's a real great incentive for individuals who perhaps have been thinking about donating to Lafayette Urban Ministry's campaign," said Micon.

Micon said the LUM Youth Program Center is expected to be complete on April 15, 2010.

"The Lafayette Urban Ministry 'Campaign for the Future' will fund 12 new programs at the Lafayette Urban Ministry and it will also do some significant upgrades and expansion of our facility. Right now we're standing in what will soon be the new Lafayette Urban Ministry youth program center and this space will be composed of several new classrooms, after school program space, and some summer program space as well."

Anyone interested in pledging money to LUM can visit www.lafayetteurbanministry.org or call 765-423-2691.