EDITOR’S NOTE: The Power of Women’s Fund dinner is completely sold out.
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, an endowed special interest fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation, will host The Power of Women’s Fund Philanthropy, an evening in celebration of the organization’s initiatives and efforts throughout the state.
The Women’s Fund creates options and opportunities for women and girls through effective distribution of grants, philanthropic engagement and education of current and potential donors. According to the organization, since 1999, 360 grants have been distributed to 109 organizations totaling $5.4 million in funding.
“Each year Women’s Fund of Central Indiana hosts the Power of Women’s Fund Philanthropy event to celebrate the power of philanthropy to make bold change in the lives of women and girls in central Indiana. The funds we raise at this event allow Women’s Fund to use our grant-making to help place women and girls in our community on the path to economic security and prosperity,” said Executive Director Jennifer Pope Baker.
The event will also feature a keynote address from award-winning journalist, documentarian, entrepreneur and philanthropist Soledad O’Brien. O’Brien, one of today’s most revered names in broadcast journalism, has championed diversity and the stories of the disenfranchised through her unique style of reporting. In 2010, the National Association of Black Journalists named her Journalist of the Year. She has earned Emmy Awards for her coverage of the Haiti earthquake, 2012 election and for a special titled “Kids on Race.” In 2013, she founded Starfish Media Group, a multi-platform media production company that has created longform pieces for Al Jazeera television and CNN.
“This year’s keynote speaker Soledad O’Brien brings a unique ability to inspire thoughtful conversation around difficult and divisive issues. We look forward to her sharing her insights on the power of community to lift up the underserved and disenfranchised,” said Baker.
Past speakers have included Angela Ahrendts, senior vice president of retail at Apple Inc.; former world No. 1 tennis player Billie Jean King; and filmmaker and activist Abigail Disney.
Donations raised from the event will fuel the work of the Women’s Fund throughout the coming year. Some of their most recent efforts have included the NEXT Initiative, founded in 2015 to help low-income adult women achieve financial security via wrap-around services and other forms of assistance. This year, the Women’s Fund convened a number of faith-based, academic, civic and social organizations for a statewide effort — Campaign to Change Direction — focused on mental health awareness and services.
The Power of Women’s Fund Philanthropy will be held on Sept. 26 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $200 each and can be purchased online at womensfund.org/event2017.
