Staff report

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — August 15, 2026

Actor Jesse Eisenberg helped raise $250,000 for Middle Way House during an appearance on ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” bringing national attention and a significant financial boost to the Bloomington organization as it faces federal funding cuts.

Eisenberg and actor Paul Giamatti won $500,000 during the episode, which aired Wednesday, Aug. 12. The prize was divided between charities selected by the two actors, with Middle Way House receiving $250,000.

Community members gathered at Lennie’s Brewpub in Bloomington to watch the episode with Eisenberg, who sat down with The Bloomingtonian for an interview afterward.

Eisenberg said his wife organized the watch party on short notice, both to celebrate the appearance and to reconnect the community with Middle Way House during a difficult financial period.

“We won the half-million-dollar prize, which gets split between my friend Paul Giamatti’s organization and my organization, which is Middle Way,” Eisenberg said. “So Middle Way gets $250,000.”

Eisenberg described appearing on the game show as nerve-racking, particularly because the answers carried real consequences for an organization serving survivors of domestic violence.

“Knowing those funny lyrics in that stupid song will mean child care programs at a domestic violence shelter in Bloomington, Indiana,” Eisenberg said. “It’s just such a strange juxtaposition between ridiculous questions and genuine need.”

Eisenberg said Middle Way House has lost about 55% of the federal funding it had received because of cuts to social services. Those reductions affect more than the organization’s emergency shelter operations, he said.

Middle Way House also provides prevention education in schools, including instruction about healthy relationships in Bloomington and surrounding counties.

“You’re not going to see the building crumble because of federal cuts,” Eisenberg said. “But you’ll see things like that start to be pared down.”

Eisenberg has supported and volunteered with Middle Way House for more than a decade. His late mother-in-law served as the organization’s executive director for approximately 30 years.

He said he spent part of the day after the watch party mopping floors at Middle Way House. He and his child also recently sorted donated clothing into categories for children and adults.

The work illustrates the many ways people can support the organization, he said. Volunteers can help with basic maintenance, sort donations, assist with programs or train for more involved responsibilities, including working with the organization’s crisis line.

“It’s not just about giving money, which, of course, is probably the most helpful because Middle Way would know how to use it,” Eisenberg said. “But just things like volunteering — there are so many wonderful things you can do.”

Eisenberg said Middle Way House is deeply connected to Bloomington and remains familiar to many former Indiana University students long after they leave the community.

“It’s a really important social service here and a kind of cultural touchstone for people who are civic-minded,” he said.

Unlike some domestic violence shelters whose locations are kept confidential, Middle Way House operates openly and actively engages with the Bloomington community, Eisenberg said.

He also praised the organization’s efficiency, saying his experience with other nonprofit organizations has given him an appreciation for how Middle Way House uses its resources.

“I could see every dollar kind of going to something vital,” Eisenberg said. “That was heartening to me to see as somebody who does donate a lot of money.”

Middle Way House provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, prevention education and other services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Donations and volunteer information are available through the organization’s website at middlewayhouse.org.

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA — AUGUST 12: Community members watch “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” at Lenny’s, with Jesse Eisenberg in attendance, during the show’s airing on August 12, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana. Eisenberg raised $250,000 for Middle Way House by appearing on the show. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian) BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA — AUGUST 12: Community members watch “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” at Lenny’s, with Jesse Eisenberg in attendance, during the show’s airing on August 12, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana. Eisenberg raised $250,000 for Middle Way House by appearing on the show. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian) BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA — AUGUST 12: Community members watch “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” at Lenny’s, with Jesse Eisenberg in attendance, during the show’s airing on August 12, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana. Eisenberg raised $250,000 for Middle Way House by appearing on the show. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)