As part of a continuing series that will be running every Thursday, we’re going to be featuring the backgrounds and services of our numerous sponsors and partners. Furthermore, we’re going to exhibit how their relationship with us is making an impact in the lives of youth and in the community. Today, our focus is on the The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Indiana Community Foundation:
Foundations Overview:Â
The history of the Central Indiana Community Foundation stretches back to 1916, when The Indianapolis Foundation was founded as one of the first community foundations in the United States. The specific purpose of The Indianapolis Foundation in those days was to improve the quality of life in Marion County by providing help where the needs were the greatest and the benefits to the community were most extensive. One hundred years later, its purpose remains the same—only now it is operates as part of CICF.
CICF was formed in 1997 when The Indianapolis Foundation partnered with Legacy Fund, the community foundation of Hamilton County. Founded in 1991, Legacy Fund serves Hamilton County in much the same way The Indianapolis Foundation serves Marion County. Leaders of both foundations decided to partner because they felt it would provide a broader level of philanthropic support to the Central Indiana region—and that has certainly been the case. While each foundation still supports its own community, each one also benefits from the strategic partnerships and resources that come with being part of a regional foundation.
Today, CICF stands as Central Indiana’s premier provider of philanthropic services to local philanthropists. Also, it’s made a name for itself by spearheading or supporting truly transformative community projects, such as the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. With a centennial celebration on the horizon in 2016, the CICF is primed to make a major impact in Central Indiana throughout the 21st century and beyond.
Relationship with Nine13sports:Â
We had 1,000 IPS students on our bikes this past fall and they loved everything about our Kids Riding Bikes programming!
Nine13sports relationship with The Indianapolis Foundation and CICF transpired back in July of 2015, when we received a generous grant from the Indianapolis Foundation. This grant allowed us to deliver our Kids Riding Bikes programming to five Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) for the first time. As well as getting more than 1,000 IPS students on our bikes this past fall, we were able to create a positive impact with them and broaden their knowledge of the bicycle, including its countless health and lifestyle benefits and how it’s of the best ways to explore the fine city of Indianapolis.
Along with The Indianapolis Foundation and the CICF, we’re committed to assisting our youth in developing a strong sense of teamwork and self-confidence, in addition to educating them on healthy lifestyle habits that will serve them for the rest of their childhood and well into adulthood. Furthermore, we’re both dedicated to lowering Marion County’s obesity rate and enabling our youth to take advantage of the rapidly expanding bicycle culture in Indianapolis.
In the simplest of terms, CICF and The Indianapolis Foundation are a leading force for good in our city and exist to make Central Indiana a better place, every day. We’re privileged and honored to have an alliance with two reputable, first-class foundations who’ve given us the opportunity to serve as a catalyst for change and instill healthy lifestyle habits for thousands of youth. We look forward to continuing our relationship with The Indianapolis Foundation and CICF for many years to come!
For more information on the Central Indiana Community Foundation, check out their website.
For more information on the Indianapolis Foundation, check out their website.