Audiochuck, the creator-led media company behind some of the most-listened-to podcasts in the world, is putting significant resources behind LGBTQ+ youth at a moment when many are being pushed to the brink. The Indianapolis-based company announced a $1 million unrestricted grant to IYG, Indiana’s leading nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, offering rare financial flexibility as demand for services continues to climb.
The investment, announced Jan. 29, comes as LGBTQ+ youth across the state face increasing barriers to housing stability, mental health care, and basic support. Unlike restricted donations tied to narrow outcomes, the funding allows IYG to direct resources where they are most urgently needed, from staffing and counseling to long-term expansion plans.
From storytelling to tangible impact
Founded by Ashley Flowers, host of the chart-topping podcast Crime Junkie, Audiochuck has built a global audience through narrative-driven audio. With more than 12 million monthly listeners, the company has become a major force in creator-led media. This latest move signals a shift from awareness-building to direct community investment.
Flowers, who grew up in Indiana and continues to base Audiochuck’s operations there, said the decision was rooted in both proximity and responsibility.
“I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our young people face and the strength they carry,” Flowers said in a statement. “IYG shows up with consistency and care for LGBTQ+ youth across the state. This gift is about standing with them for the long term.”
A lifeline for youth across the state
IYG, formerly known as the Indiana Youth Group, provides a wide range of services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, including safer spaces, behavioral health care, basic needs assistance, advocacy, and life-skills programming. In 2024, the organization supported more than 1,300 young people. With Audiochuck’s backing, IYG expects to reach more than 2,500 individuals in 2026, nearly doubling its impact.
The funding also supports IYG’s Safer Spaces campaign, an initiative aimed at expanding programs into 10 additional cities. The goal is geographic access: ensuring no LGBTQ+ young person in Indiana lives more than an hour from affirming services.
Chris Paulsen, CEO of IYG, described the grant as a turning point for the organization.
“The need has never been higher,” Paulsen said. “This investment gives us stability and breathing room to focus on the young people who rely on us, especially during some of the hardest moments of their lives.”
Why unrestricted funding matters
Unrestricted grants remain relatively uncommon in philanthropy, yet they are often the most useful for nonprofits navigating fast-changing conditions. Audiochuck’s contribution allows IYG to retain therapists, advocates, and program leaders while maintaining operational continuity during a period of financial strain.
According to the organization, the funding will help deliver basic needs support to approximately 1,000 individuals, trauma-informed counseling to 250, and independence-focused programming to 700 young people. It will also sustain statewide advocacy efforts at a time when LGBTQ+ rights remain under pressure in Indiana.
“This is the largest grant we’ve made in 2025,” said Drew Black, Audiochuck’s director of philanthropy and community engagement. “It reflects our belief that the health and joy of LGBTQ+ youth are worth protecting.”
Investing in futures, not just headlines
While Audiochuck is best known for its podcasts, the company has increasingly framed its work as a bridge between storytelling and social responsibility. The IYG grant underscores a growing trend among high-profile founders who are leveraging scale and capital to fill gaps left by slower-moving systems.
For IYG, the partnership offers more than financial relief. It provides momentum at a time when many LGBTQ+ youth are searching for safety, connection, and stability.
As Indiana’s political and social landscape continues to challenge queer and trans young people, the investment sends a clear message: their lives, futures, and well-being are worth backing in concrete ways.
