Hamilton County Community Foundation Expands Philanthropic Team

Hamilton County Community Foundation, part of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) philanthropic collaborative, announced today that Danielle Stiles-Polk has been named the vice president of external strategy and development for the organization. In this role, she will drive external strategy while directing the foundation’s fundraising efforts in coordination and partnership with the president, Tom Kilian, Jr.

“Danielle’s experience and expertise will undoubtedly help drive our organization’s growth and success,” said Kilian. “You can expect to see new and innovative strategies and an enhanced focus on collaboration and engagement with our community.” 

Stiles-Polk was previously vice chancellor for development and alumni relations at Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis. In that role, she created relationships with both internal stakeholders and external constituents to help identify and fund programs, scholarships, and capital needs identified as campus priorities. Most recently, as part of a statewide $285M campaign, she led the campaign for the Indianapolis campus and raised over $42M, which exceeded the $37M goal. Campaign fundraising focused on workforce partnerships, student success initiatives, and equity in education and fundraising practices. 

Stiles-Polk has worked in philanthropy for 14 years and has experience in annual funds, events, major gifts and capital campaigns in higher education and social service not-for-profits. Before beginning her career at Ivy Tech in 2012, she was the development manager for the Foundation for Lutheran Child and Family Services. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from I.U.P.U.I and her master’s degree in student affairs and higher education leadership from Indiana State University. 

“Working in philanthropy for more than 14 years, I’ve witnessed first-hand how building relationships and connecting people to missions and causes that matter to them can radically change lives, said Stiles-Polk. “I look forward to continuing this work and further developing our strategy so that Hamilton County Community Foundation can lead that change for its residents.” 

Stiles-Polk serves on the board of AFP Indiana (Association of Fundraising Professionals), Raphael Health Center, the International Marketplace Coalition and is an active member of CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education).  

Leave A Comment