The Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis is a private, stand-alone corporation that serves as the primary community charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.
Annual contributions to the Foundation are added to an eternal endowment fund and allocated income from that fund is utilized to support grants for charitable and educational purposes, primarily in the Indianapolis and Central Indiana areas. Download the 2017 Annual Report.
Would you like to make a donation?
MEMBERS ONLY
ATTENTION MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis!
The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation would like to give you $1,000.
As a benefit to membership, Rotarians in our club can apply for a Civic Entrepreneurship Grant. This money is intended to cover the expenses of almost any service project you wish to conduct. With the holidays upon us, there must be some needy cause you and fellow Rotarians can help.
Apply at the link on the website under FOUNDATIONS and/or contact Matt Will (mattwill@aol.com) to brainstorm ideas. Take our money…PLEASE!
Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Announces
Community Grant Recipients
$70,000 in funding distributed to four Indianapolis nonprofits
Indianapolis, IN (November 20, 2017): The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation awards annual Community Grants through a competitive application and review process. The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2017-18 Community Grants.
“Our competitive grant process highlights the incredible needs and services provided throughout Central Indiana,” says Indianapolis Rotary Foundation President Bill Bubenzer. “We honor the hard work of all those who submitted applications and are confident that our Community Grant recipients will use their funding to make an important community impact.”
The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is a private, stand-alone corporation that serves as the community charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Each year, the Foundation generously donates almost $200,000 annually to projects and organizations in the Central Indiana Area that promote the Rotarian motto of “Service Above Self.”
With over 300 members, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is one of the largest and most active Rotary Clubs in the world. Founded in 1913, the club has compiled an extensive record as one the leading supporters and contributors to the quality of life in Indianapolis. For further information about the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, visit www.indyrotary.org.
Big thanks to Rotarian Bill Batt who had the winning bid on this beautiful hunk of cheddar artwork that was donated by the American Dairy Association of Indiana, carved by world renowned cheese carver Sarah Kaufmann and auctioned off by our own Matt Will at our state-fair themed lunch on August 8. All proceeds will benefit the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation. Bill plans on sharing this unique creation with his Rotary friends. We think you’re mooooovelous, Bill!
Rotary offers members a variety of unique opportunities, but this might be the most unique of all! At our meeting on Tuesday, August 8, Sarah Kaufmann “The Cheese Lady” will be carving a familiar design into a block of cheese and you just might be able to take it home with you. That is, if you’re the highest bidder!
Auctioneer Matt Will will lead the fun and we look forward to raising a nice chunk of change for the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation! Don’t miss it!
Last week, the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Legacy Grant recipient, the Chin Community of Indiana (CCI), was the recipient of 200 back to school backpacks and supplies for distribution to families in need. The demand was so great, CCI ran out of backpacks before the distribution was scheduled to begin, leaving hundreds of students without school supplies.
Rotarian Jeff Lake, who chairs the Chin Support Committee, worked quickly to connect CCI with local nonprofit, and former Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis grant recipient, Teachers’ Treasures. CCI accepted 800 backpacks from Teachers’ Treasures, with 400 going directly to CCI families and another 400 being distributed to Perry Township Schools. On Monday, all 400 backpacks were distributed at CCI in less than an hour.
Lake’s quick action and using this Rotary connection allowed him to support CCI in a way that goes far beyond just giving a grant. “The Rotary Club is about building and connecting leaders through service. Jeff was able to leverage the networks we’ve created within Rotary to live out our motto, Service Above Self, so it is especially rewarding to see this success,” says Club President Ramona Adams.
Margaret Sheehan, Executive Director of Teachers’ Treasures was also happy to be part of this effort. “Teachers’ Treasures is thrilled to have been able to help with this urgent need. Our mission is to provide free supplies to teachers and their classrooms so students can access the tools they need to succeed academically,” Sheehan said. “Partnering with the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and the Chin Community of Indiana to get supplies to those students and classrooms is powerful. We are all focused on that student and school’s success.”
Chin National Day celebrating the 69th year of independence from Burma was held on February 18, 2017. Approximately 1,000 people were in attendance. There was singing, dancing, a style show and a talent contest. The Rotary Club of Indianapolis was recognized for its recent grant of $50,000 to The Chin Community of Indiana organization. This grant is renewable for up to five years. The President of the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation, Matt Will, described how Rotary works to do good globally and locally. He also reiterated The Rotary Club of Indianapolis’ commitment to the Chin Community. Other Rotarian’s who attended were, Jeff Lake, Tim Dudley, Bill Bubenzer, Kelly Tingle, Hodge Patel and Monica Peterson. A Chin Support Committee of more than 15 Rotarian’s has been established and they will work to assist The Chin Community of Indiana in all the areas of need requested by their organization. If you are interested in helping with this Legacy Grant/Project, please contact Jeff Lake at lakejeff960@gmail.com.
Add some sparkle to your life and plan on attending the annual Holiday Program on Tuesday, December 13. The lunch line will open early at 11:30 and the program will start at 12:15. The event will include an enhanced lunch buffet for $23, festive décor and some fantastic musical guests.
Entertainment for this year will include the talents of 24 performers from the Shortridge High School choir. Located just 3 miles north of the Scottish Rite, Shortridge High School is the oldest public high school in the state of Indiana dating back to 1864. The school has a fine legacy of performing arts accomplishments and their uplifting and energetic holiday performance will help get you in the spirit.
For the first time ever, we will have an Ugly Sweater contest! Come dressed in your ugliest sweater for a chance to win a prize and a trophy. President Sheila has selected 3 judges who will be roaming around to see who has the “Ugliest Sweater.”
We will also once again welcome our Past Presidents Chorus. We’re not sure this merry band will entertain you quite as much as the Shortridge High School choir, so they have once again agreed that if we raise $3,000 before December 13, they will Stop the Singing. Please consider donating to the Indianapolis Rotary
Lastly, if you’d like a purchase a holiday centerpiece for $25, generously donated by Eagledale Florist, you can reserve yours in advance by contacting tiffany@
The holidays are a busy time of year for all of us, but I hope you can find time in your schedules for this special Rotary tradition. Sometimes “stepping up to serve” can be as simple as showing up! It’s a great time to fill the room with holiday greetings that create goodwill and better friendships. We hope to see you there!
The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is excited to welcome Jamie Stahl as the new member services coordinator for the Club.
She previously was the Development Officer for the Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing and has worked in fundraising and development for over seven years. She is an Indiana University graduate and has a master’s degree in public affairs with a concentration in nonprofit management. Jamie currently serves on the board of directors for the Joyful Sound community handbell choir and is the treasurer for the Southside Parents of Multiples organization.
Jamie and her twin boys, Evan and Liam, reside in Greenwood. Jamie will start in the office on December 5 and her email address will be jstahl@indyrotary.org; please show her a warm Rotary welcome!
Rotary Club of Indianapolis President, Sheila Carlson and Indianapolis Rotary Foundation President, Matt Will would like you to make a special holiday donation to the INDIANAPOLIS ROTARY (LOCAL) FOUNDATION FUND.
Check out last year’s promo video!
Each year, the Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis present a song for the enjoyment of the club. However… there are some that perhaps don’t see this tradition as quite as “enjoyable” as others. So, a spirited campaign has been developed to “Stop the Singing.” If the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation can raise $3,000 by December 9, the Past Presidents have agreed to forego this tradition and stop their singing! Your donation today goes toward this effort. Thank you for giving to the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation and for your involvement with the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.