Auburn youth organization crowdfunding for accessible water fountains
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A community organization led by high school students hopes to raise $17,500 to upgrade the water fountains at parks in Auburn. If the project meets its goal, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will match it, totaling $35,000 toward the initiative.
The crowdfunding project is part of the CreatINg Places program, where the IHCDA uses grants to double successful fundraising campaigns’ total cash raised. The program will provide up to $50,000 in grant matches to nonprofits and local governments pursuing projects costing at least $10,000.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the state’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, gave her support for the program, saying water fountains are crucial to local communities.
Junior Auburn Main Street, the youth arm of Auburn Mainstreet, plan to add new and upgrade water fountains in local parks to be ADA accessible, according to its campaign site. New stations would feature water bottle refill fountains as well. They hope to add 10 new fountains to seven parks.
If the group surpasses $35,000, the remaining money will go to improving hand washing and drying stations as well as adding mirrors.
“The Auburn Community Water Station’s project was started by a passionate group of high school students desiring to make a lasting difference and do something to improve the lives for all of Auburn’s citizens,” said Austin Macy, Junior Auburn Mainstreet Chair, in a news release. “This project gives us the opportunity to see that goal through by improving the quality and quantity of water access across our wonderful city of Auburn!”
Auburn Mainstreet are a community organization looking to build up and improve the infrastructure and resource of their city. The organization said on its campaign page how parks are a community gathering place and this improvement would benefit a significant number of locals. They also said it would provide a public service through ensuring residents have access to clean water without needing to pay.
About $3,600 has been contributed toward the $17,500 goal so far. Organizers have until 7 p.m. June 22 to hit their mark or they won’t collect any funds from the campaign push.
Since 2016, the IHCDA said projects through the CreatINg Places program have raised over $7.8 million in public funds with $6.6 million matched by the agency.