Discover the power of women’s philanthropy

“Participating in the OPTIONS program was a rewarding experience. Being an OPTIONS scholar myself, I witnessed firsthand the financial impact that this group has in the lives of women and girls in our community through monetary donations. I also gained a group of sister friends for life. It was an honor to be among powerful and smart women who support one another and love their community.”

-Suri Aveja-DeBethune, Class 16

 

“When we come together with mutual respect and a passion for women and girls’ health and well-being, we can learn and do so much. I loved networking with my OPTIONS class 21 and donating 100% of our collective funds directly to the community groups that we visited and the on-going scholarship fund.”

Tamara Cypress, Class 21

“OPTIONS inspires women to learn, lead and embrace varied thoughts. I left the program inspired and connected to a community of women in a new way.”

Kelly Young, Class 2

Women’s Fund of Central Indiana’s OPTIONS program was designed to help participants get smart about critical issues impacting women and girls, and learn to use their work, wealth and wisdom to make ours a community where women and girls can thrive.

The 10-month program, featuring monthly two-hour sessions, includes guest speakers, field trips, community exploration and leadership development. Participants, age 25 and older, end the program with:

• A better understanding of gender equity and intersections with race and other identities
•  A personal giving plan
• Experience in group grantmaking
• An understanding of how to better support women- and girl-serving not-for-profits as volunteers, donors and board members

A $500 participation fee goes toward grants from the OPTIONS class to women-and-girl-serving organizations. Join the 470 women who have amplified their philanthropic voice, power and leadership through OPTIONS.

TIMELINE

OPTIONS Class 24 will meet from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the expectation of the Jan. class on the following dates:

Jan. 21 (12 – 5 p.m.)
Feb. 18
Mar. 18
Apr. 15
May 20
Jun. 17
Aug. 19
Sep. 16
Oct. 21
Nov. 18

Attendance is mandatory for the first class of the year on Jan. 21. Missing more than one session will result in a class member’s participation being delayed to a future year.

Participants should be prompt and stay until the end of class. Women’s Fund will commit to always starting on time and ending on time.

The 2025 application for Class 24 is open now

Interested in learning more? Join us for one of our information sessions.

• In-person Date – October 15 at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at 615 N Alabama St., Suite 300, Indianapolis 46204
• Virtual Date – October 17 at 12 – 1 p.m.

APPLY NOW!

Eligibility to apply: Interested candidates must be 25 or older and identify as a woman or non-binary femme.

The cost to participate in the program is $500. Part of that fee will go towards providing grants from the class to local women-and-girl-serving organizations.

All applicants are asked to commit to being curious, open-minded and interested in the following:

• Supporting the mission of Women’s Fund, its commitment to gender equity and support for women and girls in all their intersected identities;
• exploring critical issues impacting women and girls in our community;
• creating a personal giving plan; and
• contributing to a robust sector of women-and-girl-serving organizations.

Questions?

Contact Wendy McNamar at WendyM@cicf.org if you have questions or concerns.

OPTIONS Alumnae 

See the full list of our OPTIONS Alumnae by year.