INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Lilly Endowment Inc. is providing $25 million to support the Indiana Natural Disaster Fund, expanding the group’s ability to fund yearslong disaster recovery across the state.

The endowment based in Indianapolis is one of the world’s largest private philanthropic foundations. Members of the Lilly family — J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr. — created the endowment in 1937.

As a comparison, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has distributed more than $38.5 million in combined individual and public assistance to Hoosiers after the severe storms and flooding that began on Aug. 11, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said Tuesday.

A news release issued Tuesday from Indiana United Ways said the $25 million from Lilly Endowment will help communities move from immediate response into the much longer work of rebuilding after severe storms and flooding hit the state in mid-August.

The United Ways’ Indiana Natural Disaster Fund, established after widespread flooding in 2008, helps member United Ways respond to emergencies. After a disaster happens, the fund can help cover needs such as safe shelter, food, medicine, and transportation. During yearslong recovery, it can fill gaps that remain after insurance and government assistance are exhausted.

The fund also supports coordinated planning through a review committee that includes experts from the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The committee recently approved $1.2 million to be shared among the Heart of Indiana United Way based in Muncie, United Way of Franklin & Ripley Counties based in Brookville, United Way of Whitewater Valley based in Richmond, and United Way of Northwest Indiana based in Valparaiso.

Indiana United Ways is also working with Airbnb.org to provide free temporary housing for people displaced by the Aug. 11 storms and flooding. Stays are funded by Airbnb.org, with referrals made through local United Ways, the American Red Cross, or the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. This partnership allows for quick connections to free housing while residents start to rebuild.

People needing immediate help should reach out to the American Red Cross at 800-733-2767, or call Indiana 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or texting IN211HELP to 898-211.

INDIANAPOLIS — Two Hoosier Lottery tickets worth more than $1.5 million combined are waiting to be claimed, including a CA$H 5 jackpot ticket worth nearly $1.5 million.

A CA$H 5 ticket purchased in Bloomington matched all five winning numbers in Friday night’s jackpot drawing, making it worth $1,479,552, according to the Hoosier Lottery.

The winning ticket was purchased at Big Red Liquors #5, 1255 S. College Mall Road, Bloomington.

The winning CA$H 5 numbers for Friday, Sept. 4, were 11, 22, 29, 42 and 43.

Lottery officials are also looking for the holder of a $50,000 Powerball Double Play ticket sold in Indianapolis.

The ticket, purchased at Village Pantry 5618, 9525 Corporation Drive, matched four of the five winning numbers plus the Powerball in Monday night’s Double Play drawing.

The winning Double Play numbers for Monday, Sept. 7, were 20, 26, 49, 56 and 65, with a Powerball of 5.

The Hoosier Lottery is urging players to carefully check their tickets. Winners are advised to keep their tickets in a secure location and consider meeting with a financial advisor before claiming their prizes.

Ticket holders can contact Hoosier Lottery customer service at 1-800-955-6886 for specific instructions on how to claim their prizes.

Players can also use the free Hoosier Lottery mobile app to check their tickets.

Five local small business owners received the award from Mirror Indy and the Indy Chamber. 

The award is designed to give Indianapolis small businesses greater visibility while helping entrepreneurs tell their stories. Rockland Page, the owner of ROCKaBLOCK, says the recognition has already generated phone calls, media attention, and connections with other chambers and organizations throughout Indianapolis. 

Since moving his business to Indianapolis in 2024, Page says he has been focused heavily on becoming part of the local business community. Through involvement with the Indy Chamber, the Black Chamber, and entrepreneurial programs such as GrowthX and G-Beta, Page says he has gained an enormous amount of knowledge. He describes the experience as feeling like participating in an MBA program. 

Page says after almost 20 years away from Indianapolis, returning home initially made him feel like he was an outsider. He says reconnecting with the community has helped change a lot. He believes Indianapolis is large enough to provide opportunity while remaining small and relationship-driven, meaning how entrepreneurs treat people and build connections can have a major impact on their businesses.  

In addition to a retail storefront, Page uses his retail space as an opportunity to bring those together for concerts, comedy shows, and a partnership with SoFar Sounds. He says he sees these events as an important way to activate the space, introduce people to the business, and strengthen its presence in downtown Indianapolis. 

Page says when he reflects on the progress he has made, despite the challenges of entrepreneurship, he compares the experience to being “in the middle of the river of the challenges.” He says it can be difficult to recognize how far you’ve actually traveled. Looking back over the past two years, however, he can see significant progress, new connections, and growing recognition for his work.