In 2008 CICF board and staff deepened the alignment of the foundation around three community leadership initiatives where strengths and synergies are abundant to make a greater impact on improving quality of life in central Indiana.   The community leadership initiatives: 

• Family Success 
• Inspiring Places 
• College Readiness 

CICF board and staff realize that its financial resources alone are not able to improve all of central Indiana’s quality of life issues.  The three community leadership initiatives are crafted to achieve greater impact utilizing CICF’s financial, influence and human capital resources.  

1. financial capital:  using our grants dollars and co-investing opportunities with other funders and donors;
2. influence capital:  convening, encouraging and advocating for community progress and innovation and leveraging relationships we have across the community; and
3. human capital:  utilizing the knowledge, experience and talents of our donors, board members and staff.

Family Success:  Building successful communities - one family at a time
In 2004, CICF and its affiliates began a long-term initiative to help families overcome obstacles and break the cycle of poverty. Working poor who cannot meet their family’s basic needs, families only a paycheck away from losing their homes or those already homeless can access services at neighborhood-based community centers.  Learn more.

Inspiring Places:  Building attractive, vibrant and safe communities.

Started in 2005, Inspiring Places is CICF’s commitment to engage our community in creating and maintaining public places that are both physically inviting and inviting for civic activity. Find out how CICF and its community partners are helping active citizen groups transform underused spaces into high quality community amenities.  Learn more.


College Readiness:  Improving access to post-secondary education.
The College Readiness Fund is a results-driven funding collaborative that seeks to increase the rate of low-income, first-generation students that enroll and succeed in any post-secondary institution of higher learning.  The College Readiness Fund started in 2008 through a partnership with Lumina Foundation for Education and the 21st Century Scholars Program.   Learn more.