Grace Findley to Join Indianapolis Foundation as Chief Development and Partnerships Officer

Joining our team as chief development and partnerships officer, effective May 15, is Grace Findley. In this role, Grace will lead an ambitious campaign to raise philanthropic contributions and generate co-investment funds to support the Foundation’s efforts to improve outcomes for our community.

“I am pleased to welcome Grace to the team.  Her advancement experience and strong network of working relationships with community and corporate philanthropic partners will allow us to deepen impact and make Indianapolis an even more equitable and opportunity-rich community for all,” said Lorenzo Esters, president of the Indianapolis Foundation.

Grace has nearly two decades of fundraising experience. Most recently, Grace served as vice president of philanthropic partnerships at the Indianapolis-based Strada Education Foundation. In that role, she nearly doubled their fundraising efforts and led the strategy that resulted in a fourfold increase in matching grant support.  Previously, Grace worked as director of development at the Indiana University Foundation, serving on the inaugural principal gifts team, and later, as the vice president of development for the IU regional campuses. She has also held advancement roles at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, St. Louis University, and Illinois College.

“I am excited and honored to step into a leadership role at one of the oldest community foundations in the country. It’s a privilege to partner with the people of Indianapolis in advancing equitable opportunities and continuing the city’s legacy of philanthropy,” said Finley. “I encourage all residents of Indianapolis and Marion County to join the Indianapolis Foundation by contributing their time, talent, and treasure to shape the future of our community together.”

Grace earned a Master of Arts degree in philanthropic studies from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She has served on the executive committee of the United Way of Central Indiana board of directors since 2020 and recently completed a year-long leadership development fellowship in the Tobias Leadership Program at IU.