OPTIONS
Philanthropy education for women in central Indiana.
A philanthropy education program engaging women age 25 to 45 in meaningful exploration of personal and group philanthropy and the needs of women and girls in our community.
About OPTIONS
OPTIONS is a philanthropy education program to engage women age 25 to 45 in meaningful exploration of personal and group philanthropy and the needs of women and girls in our community. In this year-long program, OPTIONS members meet one time a month over a period of ten months and participate in educational classroom sessions and site visits to women and girl serving organizations in central Indiana. Participants will have the opportunity to meet, network, and exchange ideas with Women's Fund Advisory Board members and OPTIONS Alumnae members who have been involved in a wide variety of activities supporting the work of Women's Fund.
Each calendar year a diverse group of women are selected to be part of a strong and vibrant OPTIONS class. Women's Fund seeks participants who are interested in exploring more about their personal philanthropy and the needs and issues facing women and girls in central Indiana. OPTIONS members are seen by Women's Fund Advisory Board members as future board members, philanthropists, and decision makers for Women's Fund. Many OPTIONS Alumnae members are actively engaged as leaders and participants on the Advisory Board and Board committees.
All OPTIONS participants are asked to make a personal charitable contribution of at least $250; at the end of the year, the class will work together to distribute these funds to organizations they feel are making an important difference for women and girls in our community.
Learn about OPTIONS and the impact it has made by viewing the video below, featuring interviews with OPTIONS participants from the first ten classes.
Getting Started
OPTIONS is a calendar year-based program starting each January. Applications are available in the fall prior to the class year.
If you are interested in learning more or applying for OPTIONS, contact Wendy McNamar by clicking here or calling 317.634.2423 x157
OPTIONS Class Twelve Members
| Christy Becker Community Volunteer
Jennifer Berry Stephanie Cassman Morgan Coleman Minissa Dent Brooke Dunn Sheri French Delia Harris Oni Harton Andrea Kleymeyer
| Kristen Lade Corrie Meyer Cassandra Murphy Lily Pai Theresa Patterson
Mandy Skelton Amanda Spice Elizabeth Tolbert Nichole Wilson |
Erin Duffy
Class 11
“I was reflecting back on our very first meeting and how I shared that I wanted to be inspired by something. This experience has definitely done that. I'm taking time to do things that fill me up, and every OPTIONS experience, whether a meeting, a visit or an OPTIONS Alumnae lunch, did exactly that. Additionally, I have learned so much about different perspectives. I feel armed with information to be a 'game changer' in thought and action."
Eli Lilly & Company
As a corporate partner, Eli Lilly & Company has supported Women's Fund since 2001, contributing $93,250. Eli Lilly & Company has generously sponsored several OPTIONS classes.
