OPTIONSCelebrating and Reflecting
On the eve of the new year, it is timely for me to take a moment to reflect on the past year at Women's Fund and to share my vision for the next.
Top WF News 2011: Part 1 of 2
Women's Fund had a great year. What do you think were the best moments? Read for more!
Include Emergencies in Your Giving Plan
If you contribute to any non-profit organization on a regular basis, you may receive frequent communication regarding financial crises that arise. Sometimes I know that I feel like charities may be crying wolf too often. And sometimes I wonder to myself why these organizations haven’t planned for the unexpected, and that maybe they are just preying on my human reaction to want to help fix an emergent problem.
A Special Christmas Party at the Indiana Women's Prison
Volunteers from Women's Fund organized a special Christmas party for moms participating in the Family Preservation program at the Indiana Women's Prison. The day was joyful, yet emotional - both for the moms and the volunteers.
Being Thankful
It's approaching the end of the work day before Thanksgiving. With tomorrow being a day to give thanks, I have paused to reflect on some things I am thankful for - big and small - in my role at Women's Fund.
What Rain Can't Damper
60 OPTIONS Alumnae gathered to reconnect and learn about current happenings in the community, including the work of Project Home Indy.
OPTIONS Alumnae Reconnect
As the ninth class of OPTIONS concludes and we head into the tenth anniversary year for this philanthropy education program, this was a fitting way to celebrate this year and launch into the next.
Discovering
I truly have had a great time getting to know Womens Fund better over the past few months. Yes, I went through OPTIONS several years ago. Yes, I know several of the organizations who benefit from Womens Fund grants. Yes, I have a few friends on committees and/or the board. But Ive discovered some new things I didnt know (or maybe didnt remember). Take, for example, some of these did you knows that ive discovered or rediscovered.
OPTIONS and Impact
Contributed by Lynda Goeke. We all have options to give money where we like: church, museums, not-for-profits, etc. My OPTIONS class number four had the opportunity to give money as a group. That is what I love about Women’s Fund. It takes all the money we give, pools it all together and gives it where it is needed.
Friendships Made; Experiences Gained - Your OPTION
Recruiting for OPTIONS Class 10 already? It doesn’t seem that long ago that I participated - eight years goes by quickly. Back then I was eager to learn; eager to make a difference. I wanted to participate in every leadership and community program offered. OPTIONS was one of several – and the one that had the greatest impact on me.
Creating Options and Opportunities
OPTIONS is a year-long philanthropy education program for women who are 25-45 years-old. For nearly ten years, Women's Fund has been educating a new class of twenty women every year to learn about the needs and concerns of women and girls, personal and group philanthropy, the role of non-profit board leaders, and creating opportunities for site visits to organizations we support.
Getting organized with elfa
Lynne Bir, Community Volunteer and OPTIONS Alumna, won a brand new elfa closet from The Container Store! Read about her new closet and what the experience means for her.
Transformative Experience at Indiana Women's Prison
Erin Duffy, OPTIONS Class 11 member, shares how her visit to the Indiana Women's Prison was transformative and surprised her in ways she didn't expect.
A Visit to the Indianapolis Museum of Art
Sue Russell, OPTIONS Alumna, Class 10, talks about a recent visit by OPTIONS Alumnae to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Read her take-aways from the Material World exhibit - including an opportunity for those interested in becoming more engaged in the world of fashion.
D. Emily Frank - Chef and Physician Extraordinaire
On Tuesday night, I had the honor of attending a dinner and talk given by Dr. Emily Frank at her lovely home in Carmel. For those of you who know Emily, you also know that she is a very gifted internal medicine physician, who has a passion for women's health issues.
OPTIONS 10 Year Celebration
On Aug. 27, OPTIONS alumnae celebrated 10 years of helping women and girls in the community and celebrated nearly half of a million dollars donated to Women's Fund. Raquel Richardson shares her thoughts - along with what some other women shared with her, about the event and OPTIONS.
Let’s Go Reggio! A Visit to the Day Nursery Ruth A. Lilly Center
Jenny Burch, OPTIONS Class 11 Member, shares her perspective on a visit to Day Nursery's Ruth A Lilly Center.
My Time at the Women's Prison
A site visit hosted by Women's Fund gives 18 women an inside look at the Indiana Women's Prison.
Transforming Lives and the Community Through Business Ownership
By: Kelli Reifel, OPTIONS Class 10 member As a member of OPTIONS Class 10, I recently had the opportunity to attend a site visit at Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana. BOI is one of the countless amazing organizations Women’s Fund supports. I was, once again, impressed to learn about how yet another organization supports women and children in Indiana.
Planning For Impact
What do all of the following entities have in common? * Indianapolis Colts * Indianapolis Woman magazine * Indianapolis Airport Air Traffic Control Planning. All of these have a plan - a detailed plan - to accomplish great success.
A Delightful Experience
Contributed by Shelley Raper. As an alumnus of OPTIONS Class Eight, I had the opportunity to attend a Girls Inc. Do's and Taboo's Class- Etiquette Tea Class last Wednesday, July 29, to see a program funded by the members of the OPTIONS Class Eight.
Summer Camp Participants Empowered through Leadership and Learning
Contributed by Quiana Graham, Director, Youth & Family Programs, Indiana Black Expo, Inc. Every year March is designated as Women's Empowerment Month. During that month, we see public service announcements honoring great women such as Amelia Earhart, Madame C J Walker, Betsy Ross and other women who have helped to make this country great! As a person active in the non-profit community, I work first hand with the National Girls Inc. office, which is located in downtown Indianapolis. I have read numerous scholarships of Girls Inc. graduates from throughout the country who seek financial assistance from the organization to continue their educational endeavors.
Challenging what we know
Contributed by Raquel Richardson, Principal, Silver Square :: Marketing + Design. We know the sun will come up tomorrow. We know the leaves turn colors in the fall. We know the earth is round. We know the truth – until we don’t. Our world has a funny way of keeping us off balance and adding in those little idiosyncrasies that make us pause and take note, challenging what we know.
OPTIONS Visits the IRT and Experiences The Miracle Worker
written by Theresa Patterson, OPTIONS Class 12, Community Volunteer Members of OPTIONS Class 12 were treated to a behind the scenes look at the IRT, dinner and the miraculous performance of The Miracle Worker. Theresa shares her experience.
Gaining Some Perspective. My Afternoon in the Indiana Women’s Prison
OPTIONS Class 12 member, Morgan Coleman, shares her perspective of their recent visit to Indiana Women's Prison (IWP). Learn how she gained a different perspective as they walked the grounds and met the moms behind the bars of IWP.
OPTIONS Perspective: Project Home Indy
OPTIONS Class 11 visited Project Home Indy on Tuesday, April 12. Class member Maggie Bowden shares her perspective on the visit.
Dress for Success ... Imagine for a Moment (Part 2 of 2)
The second of a 2-part series sharing Jen Rawe's perspective on the OPTIONS Class 12 visit to Dress for Success Indianapolis. Jen is Co-Owner, EJ Media and Production, and OPTIONS Class 12 member.
Dress for Success... My Visit in Quotes (Part 1 of 2)
Part 1 of a 2-part series sharing Jen Rawe's perspective on the OPTIONS Class 12 visit to Dress for Success Indianapolis. Jen is Co-Owner, EJ Media and Production, and OPTIONS Class 12 member.
OPTIONS Perspective: The Julian Center - Part 2 of 2
Tuesday, March 15, OPTIONS Class 11 visited The Julian Center. This is part two of a a two-part series, March 22 and 24. Three class members—Emi Osterhaus, Brooke Smith, and Carla Feagans—share their perspective on the visit.
OPTIONS Perspective: The Julian Center - Part 1 of 2
Tuesday, March 15, OPTIONS Class 11 visited The Julian Center. This is part one of a a two-part series, March 22 and 24. Three class members—Emi Osterhaus, Brooke Smith, and Carla Feagans—share their perspective on the visit.
Celebrating Donors and Their impact
Last night Women's Fund held an event to thank donors to the Endowment Campaign. An impressive crowd of 200 people gathered at the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral to celebrate the impact their support has made to women and girls in central Indiana.
Women. Girls. Central Indiana. - A Monthly Update
Welcome to our first monthly update: Women. Girls. Central Indiana., featuring the latest on women and girls from Women's Fund of Central Indiana. I hope you feel better connected to the work of Women's Fund by learning about the incredible impact we are making together for women and girls in our community.
Welcome OPTIONS Class 10
This month, 20 exceptional women will begin a 10-month exploration of personal and group philanthropy through OPTIONS. Along the way, we hope to provide you insight from the class through this blog. We plan to take you behind the scenes through personal stories, photos and class experiences.
Welcome OPTIONS Class 11
By: Stacy Kult, OPTIONS Class 8. Highlighting the welcome event for OPTIONS Class 11.
Welcome OPTIONS Class 12!
Introducing OPTIONS Class 12
OPTIONS Kicks Off a New Year
The newest group of OPTIONS members, Class 11 marks the first day of their new class year. Read to be introduced to the dynamic members of this year's class.
Area Women Gain Philanthropic Education Through Women’s Fund OPTIONS Program
Ten years. Two hundred fifty area women. Donations totaling $450,000 to help women and girls in central Indiana. Now those are some impressive stats. It’s all about women owning their own businesses, learning how they can give back to their communities and then doing it!
Inspired (and Intrigued) by a Great Philanthropist
I have read with great interest the many stories about Ruth Lilly following her death at the age of 94. What an amazing woman who gave so much to so many. She had an incredible charitable spirit that she shared with numerous organizations nationally and locally, including Women’s Fund of Central Indiana.
New Year’s Resolutions for Women’s Fund?
Do nonprofits make resolutions? Does Women's Fund? One writer identifies four New Year's Resolutions all nonprofits should make in 2011. Find out what they are and how Women's Fund may relate to them.
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