Stories of Change

Community Foundations and the Opportunity Gap

August 18, 2017 Today, fewer people have access to the American Dream and the upward mobility it promises. Our kids may not, in fact, fare better than we do. And their success is not just constrained by their smarts and industriousness, but an “opportunity gap.” In short, socioeconomic status, race, familial situations, ethnicity, community wealth and other factors contribute to and perpetuate lower educational, economic and social aspirations, achievement and attainment.Read More.

OrthoIndy Foundation grants $3 million for veteran-centric YMCA

August 10, 2017 On July 26, The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis broke ground on the new OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA in Pike Township. Naming rights for the Y were awarded in recognition of a $3 million pledge, announced last March from OrthoIndy Foundation, a donor-advised fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). This partnership was made possible, in part, by the work CICF does to connect donors with philanthropic opportunities that match their charitable interests. Additional donations of $9.5 milli…Read More.

CICF announces staff changes

August 8, 2017 CICF announced staff changes that take effect this week: Brittany Rayburn is the new development director for Legacy Fund, the CICF affiliate serving Hamilton County; Clayton De Fur is a new community investment officer for CICF; and Laurie Burns was promoted to community collaborations and impact analyst for CICF.Read More.

Theatre on the Square partners with CICF to help keep culture in Mass. Ave. Cultural District

August 3, 2017 Plan includes brief hiatus for popular arts venue Theatre on the Square (TOTS) has been a nearly 30-year mainstay in the Indianapolis arts community and an important hub of the Massachusetts Avenue cultural scene since 1993, when it relocated from Fountain Square. Recently, the organization has been challenged by the need for costly building repairs […]Read More.

Woman finds dream job through Exodus Refugee

August 3, 2017 Priscilla Lalthanmawii launches business in Greenwood two years after resettlement Priscilla Lalthanmawii and her 12-year-old son arrived in the United States on Feb. 24, 2015. The day was long-awaited. They fled Burma in 2008 and were living in a Malaysian refugee camp for five years before being granted a resettlement appointment with the United Nations. […]Read More.

Legacy Fund honors community “pillars”

June 30, 2017 The Legacy Fund Community Pillar Awards honor individuals or corporations doing visionary work to solve pressing challenges, build opportunity and equity, and create a brighter future for Hamilton County residents in three leadership areas—college readiness and success, family success and inspiring places. Because of their work, these nominees are pillars of the Hamilton County Community. Accepting nominations thru July 31.Read More.