Inside the CICF Collaborative: Staff Life and Culture

CICF, Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF), the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana (WF) are each independent organizations with their own missions and areas of focus. We also are all cornerstone entities of the CICF Collaborative—a group of mission-aligned entities that share resources, services, and a commitment to enhancing our community.

When a team member joins one of these organizations, they become part of something bigger. Our staff work closely across entities, share a common culture, and collaborate regularly to support each other and amplify our collective impact.

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More about the CICF Collaborative

Shared Activities & Celebrations

We come together often to build relationships and have fun. Some of our employee engagement activities include:

  • Annual holiday party

  • Group outings to the Indianapolis Indians game and the Strawberry Festival

  • Team volunteer outings throughout Central Indiana

Learning & Development Together

We believe in growing together. Staff from all collaborative entities regularly take part in:

  • Lunch and learns

  • Guest speakers and documentary viewings

  • Book clubs and discussion groups

Employee Business Resource Groups

We support connection and inclusion through employee-led groups such as:

  • Staff of Color group

  • Directors group

  • Undoing Racism (UR) Conscious Committee

  • Other groups formed around shared roles or interests

Quarterly Collaborative-Staff Meetings

All collaborative staff come together in quarterly meetings to:

  • Share updates from across entities

  • Celebrate progress and wins

  • Stay aligned on our collective goals

Work and Collaboration Across Offices

Our teams work closely, even across locations:

  • CICF, IF, and WF share the third floor of the English Foundation Building in downtown Indianapolis

  • Many CICF team members also spend time working at the HCCF office in Fishers

We Even Give Back Together

Our collaborative employee fund is one way we live out our shared values. Employees can choose to donate through an anonymous, completely voluntary payroll deduction. At the end of the year, everyone who contributed  votes on which organizations receive the grants.

In 2024, the fund awarded $12,000 in grants to Stop the Violence Indy, IUYA, Black Joy Indy, HVAF, Exodus Refugee & Immigration, Pretty Passionate Hands, Like No Other, Tanya Isaac Foundation, and Growing Places Indy.