Hamilton County Community Foundation

For over two decades, TRINITY FREE CLINIC, INC has provided free medical, dental, and vision care to Hamilton County's uninsured and low-income residents—serving 15,000+ visits annually. More than a clinic, it's a pathway out of poverty, offering job training for medical careers and bilingual interpreter certifications. Read more about the impact of Trinity Free Clinic, a HCCF multi-year grant recipient. https://loom.ly/PVC04Hw

The Hamilton County Education Foundations aren't just resources—they're champions of educational excellence in our community! Check out the infographic to see the collective impact of these six organizations. 1?? Carmel Education Foundation 2?? Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation 3?? Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation 4?? Noblesville Schools Education Foundation 5?? Sheridan Education Foundation 6?? Westfield Education Foundation

For our last round of highlights, we are sharing two more fantastic education foundations. ?? Sheridan Education Foundation ?? Westfield Education Foundation These organizations make their Hamilton County Schools better for students and teachers each year. Sheridan Education Foundation has been working hard to fundraise and grant out funding. Their treasurer, Jenna Jessup, told us, "Since August 2023, we have successfully raised over $60,000 and distributed more than $10,000 in teacher grants to enhance K-12 classroom learning in Sheri-dan Community Schools. We are proud to continue to grow and provide enrichment to academics to our Sheridan classrooms!" Westfield Education Foundation keeps its mission at the forefront of its minds. Executive director Ashley Knott shared, "By focusing on academic excellence, life skills development, and supporting students' health and well-being, we aim to cultivate well-rounded student leaders. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for every student, ensuring all students are Life-Ready!" That concludes our highlights, but we have one more post coming soon.

Today, we are highlighting two more education foundations making in impact in Hamilton County. ?? Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation ?? Noblesville Schools Education Foundation What an incredible footprint these organizations have left. We are excited to see what they continue to do. Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation shared with us that since 2001 they have invested nearly $2.5 million into programs and initiatives that support the staff and students at Hamilton Southeastern Schools. The executive director of Noblesville Schools Education Foundation was excited to note that, "We are working with top district leadership on securing funding that addresses the largest gaps within the district such as teacher retention and mental health. We strive to be a partner alongside the district in solving issues and breaking the barriers to school success." We have more highlights coming your way this week!

As CICF reimagines its role as a Central Indiana leader and convener, we’re traveling to other communities to learn how they use a regional approach to address major issues like education, homelessness, and hunger. On this trip, we traveled to San Diego to examine the powerful impact of the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center (PIC). PIC drives regional change by building coalitions, implementing new ideas, securing resources, and designing impactful policies—all in collaboration with top experts and organizations like The Brookings Institution. We were joined by key leaders from Central Indiana; attendees came from CICF (CEO Jennifer Bartenbach, CIO Jeff Bennett, CFO Erin Tanner, VP of Philanthropy Jennifer Turner, CICF Vice Chair/ 2025 CICF Board Chair Jasmin French), The Indianapolis Foundation (Chief Equity and Innovation Officer Michael Twyman), Hamilton County Community Foundation (Senior Community Leadership Officer Anita Gonzalez Rogers), Hendricks County Community Foundation (VP of Programs Eric Hessel (He/Him/His), Naptown Enterprises (Public Policy Consultant Mackenzie Higgins) and Next Practice Partners (Founder and CEO Neelay Bhatt).

For Education Week, we are happy to shoutout the awesome education foundations working in Hamilton County to support all students learning here. First up… ?? Carmel Education Foundation ?? Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation These two organizations go above and beyond for their students, teachers, and school districts. Carmel Education Foundation executive director Jennifer Penix shared that, “By funding educator and student-led grants, career exploration, scholarships, and mental health initiatives, we ensure every student learns about inspiring opportunities and graduates with a personalized, actionable plan that reflects their unique interests, goals, and skills—equipping them for meaningful futures.” The president of Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation, Melissa Martin, expressed gratitude for those making funding possible: “Through the continued support and generosity of Foundation advocates, students are given an academic advantage through the latest technology, innovative programming, and specialty initiatives.” Stay tuned for more highlights!

Diverse transportation options are key to connecting Hamilton County residents with opportunities that improve their quality of life—whether it's for jobs, education, or essential services. ???? Discover why these transportation options are so vital for our community and how they make a difference. ?? https://loom.ly/-JltBZA

During the City of Fishers and the Fishers Armed Services Commission Veterans Day Ceremony, author Doug Melville shared compelling stories about his family's military legacy and the broader impact of service. It's a powerful reminder of the dedication and sacrifices made by veterans and their families. It was truly an honor to support this event by providing books to those who joined us! https://loom.ly/mhfnL2A

Big news! The Collaborative scholarship application is now open. With just one application, you can apply for scholarships through Hamilton County Community Foundation, Central Indiana Community Foundation, and more. Don't miss this opportunity. Learn more and apply today! https://loom.ly/zlH6VaA

Affordable housing is crucial for Hamilton County's sustainability and growth. Currently, nearly 9,500 households face a "severe cost burden," spending 50% or more of their income on housing. ?? Explore the full details in our community assessment to understand the impact and join the conversation on solutions. https://loom.ly/-JltBZA