Bethany Provides Funding to Local Nonprofits

Bethany Theological Seminary has made grants totaling $19,500 to Wayne County non-profit organizations that are closely aligned with its mission. The organizations selected receive funding support for at-risk and marginalized individuals. Many are faith-based organizations that address racial and economic inequality or focus on education. Several of the funded groups host Bethany students as volunteers as part of the BOLD program. BOLD (which stands for Build, Organize, Love, and Dare) is a service-based opportunity for exceptional residential students who want to put their education and faith into practice while working on graduate degrees. 

Bethany provided grants to the following organizations:

Amigos — $1,750

Amigos is a non-profit organization that empowers the local Latinx community to be active members of the community through learning, cooperation, and encouraging respect across cultures. During the 2025-26 academic year, BOLD student Aubrey De Veny Incorvaia volunteered on Monday nights helping with the English Language program. 

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church — $1,750

Bethel AME is a local church that provides affordable housing, a monthly meal program, and a commitment to historical preservation. It is also the oldest African American church in Indiana. This academic year BOLD student Joe Buohl  volunteered at Bethel AME, where he led a weekly Bible study. 

Bridges for Life — $3,000

Bridges for Life is a local non-profit social services agency that provides assistance to families in need. This academic year, as well as past years, multiple BOLD students have volunteered at Bridges for Life, specifically within the Dinner at the Lamp program that serves meals to our neighbors in need every Friday night at the First Presbyterian Church. During the past academic year, Omar Gadzhiev volunteered withBridges for Life on Friday evenings, helping with meal prep and serving.

Open Arms Ministries — $1,750

Open Arms Ministries is a volunteering site for current and past BOLD students. Joe Buohl volunteered  at Open Arms weekly, where he assists the non-profit in helping families with rent and utilities. Open Arms is led by Derek Parker, who is the former Coordinator of the Bethany BOLD program. 

Townsend Center — $1,750

The Townsend Center is being given a gift of $1,750 from the BOLD program. Townsend Center is a non-profit organization that provides after-school programs and education to local students and families, and a pillar of the community. Omar Gadzhiev volunteered at Townsend during the 2025-26 academic year. The Townsend Center was also the site of Bethany’s 2025 service day.

Richmond Senior Recreation Center — $3,000

The Richmond Senior Center is a newer BOLD partner and has been a site this academic year for student volunteering. In the Fall of 2025, BOLD students volunteered at the JOY Games that were held at the center. Aubrey De Veny Incorvaia volunteered at this site and  helped  promote more collaboration between Bethany BOLD and the Senior Center. The Richmond Senior Center was the site for Bethany’s service day this spring. 

Richmond State Hospital — $1,500

BOLD students visited the State Hospital in the Fall of 2025 to learn about its work with patients. The students wanted to provide financial support to its programs.

“We are very pleased to support the work of these local community partners,” says President Jeff Carter. “All of these organizations make vital contributions to the well-being of local citizens and contribute to the quality of life in our community. They share our values of service and they are helping Wayne County to flourish.”

Bethany models a commitment to service in the local community. In addition to the activities of its students, many Bethany faculty and staff are active volunteers — serving on non-profit boards and participating in activities from food programs to the arts.

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