Is there a fee associated with OPTIONS?
Each OPTIONS member is expected to make a minimum $250 personal contribution to Women's Fund. These contributions are held in a fund until the end of the class year and OPTIONS members make group grant making decisions based upon information learned and organizations visited during the year.

Can my company, or a friend, sponsor me?
Many members have had their companies match their contributions; this is a wonderful way to grow the impact of your personal donation. However, one of the goals of the OPTIONS program is to help women focus on their personal philanthropy, so we ask for the minimum contribution to be a personal gift.

When does the OPTIONS group meet?
The OPTIONS class meets once a month January- June and August - November on Tuesday afternoons from 3 until 5 p.m. Approximately half of the meetings are in the classroom at Women’s Fund offices (615 N. Alabama Street) and the other half are part of site visits to organizations throughout central Indiana that provide programming to women and girls. 

What happens in the monthly meetings?
Review a sample schedule of meetings (document posted below). The 2009 schedule will be similar but the site visits and speakers will vary.

Are there other meetings outside of the regularly scheduled meetings?
Class members will have an opportunity to particpate in optional learning sessions throughout the year.

Are there requirements regarding attendance?
Members must attend the January session in order to be eligible to participate. This session will last from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (other classes are two hours only). Each member is asked to attend all the meetings; members may miss no more than two classes to remain eligible to vote on the year-end grants from the OPTIONS fund. Each applicant, and her employer (if applicable), is asked to sign an acknowledgment of these time commitments. Applicants should be those not likely to move or be transferred in the foreseeable future.

Do you have to know someone to get in OPTIONS?
No. Women’s Fund and OPTIONS Alumnae are committed to making participation open and available to all women from central Indiana who meet the minimum criteria discussed here.

What makes someone a good candidate for OPTIONS?
Women’s Fund seeks participants who are interested in exploring more about their personal philanthropy and the needs/issues facing women and girls in central Indiana. Our commitment to diversity includes not only racial, cultural, religious, sexual orientation, and geographic diversity. We also seek diversity of experience; we are looking for women who may just be starting on their career path, women who have already made it to the top, and women in between. We are looking for women who are community volunteers and stay-at-home moms. Successful applicants include those who have been extraordinarily involved in the community, those who have volunteered here and there, and those who aren’t yet quite sure what their niche is. We hope the class will also have diversity in thought, perspective, and influence.

How can I learn more about Women’s Fund and its role in the community?
We encourage all applicants to read the history section of our site. in order to better understand the organization and how OPTIONS fits its mission.

What kind of commitment does the Board of Women’s Fund have to OPTIONS?
Women’s Fund Advisory Board members are committed to have a strong and vibrant OPTIONS class. The Board sees OPTIONS members as future board members, future philanthropists, and decision makers for Women’s Fund. Many OPTIONS Alumnae members currently participate on board committees, some co-chair a Board committee with a Board member, and several OPTIONS Alumnae members are serving full terms on the Advisory Board. Additionally, every year the OPTIONS class elects a member to serve a one-year ex-officio position on the Advisory Board and its Executive Committee.

How can I receive an application and what is the process for application and notification? 
Please contact womensfund@cicf.org for more information.