Heritage Fund : The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

Priorities for Areas of Initiative

The Areas of Initiative enumerated below are intended to give direction to HFBC's strategy to serve as a catalyst for positive change in partnership with others and to provide direction and oversight of HFBC staff and volunteer leadership.

Learning Systems

Provide support and leadership (where it would not duplicate the efforts of others) to the Community Learning System efforts that include all areas of learning - birth to death.

• Continue support for and collaboration with the Community Education Coalition through CAPE and other means as they become available.
• Support the work of the Bartholomew County Literacy Task Force.
• Encourage appropriate innovative programs in all educational systems.
• Support a positive learning environment and appreciation for learning throughout the County.
• Encourage/support public schools' efforts to serve diverse populations.
• Encourage/support a positive learning environment in childcare and pre-school settings in coordination with United Way, Family School Partners, the Council for Youth Development and the 0 - 8 Consortium.
• Encourage efforts towards a comprehensive, seamless, single learning system.

Welcoming Community

Nurture an attitude of respect for all individuals and promote an appreciation of the richness that diversity brings to our community.

• Encourage programs and attitudes that advance the concept of a Welcoming Community.
• Encourage an attitude of respect for differing opinions through individual actions and public statements.
• Provide funding and technical support for initiatives to bring minority groups into the full life of our community.
• Build social capital by bringing people together of different cultures, abilities, socioeconomic levels and generations for a common purpose.
• Explore opportunities to work with and/or support the City's Multicultural Committee, Su Casa, Human Rights Commission, NAACP, Ecumenical Assembly, Interfaith Forum, Gay/Straight Alliance, the ARC (Association for Retarded Children), the Inclusive Community Coalition and others.
• Support the Columbus Young Professionals.

Downtown Development

Facilitate coordinated efforts to increase the vitality of the downtown - everybody's neighborhood. A vibrant downtown has a direct and dramatic impact on regional economic development efforts, community pride and other aspects of a county's quality of life.

• Support Vision 20/20 and the work of the Columbus Redevelopment Commission.
• Provide funding, when appropriate, to advance Vision 20/20 project plans
• Support The Crump Theatre.
• Provide major funding for Mill Race Center.
• Provide support, when appropriate, for the Hope Town Square.

Economic Growth

Facilitate coordinated efforts to advance economic growth in Bartholomew County.

• Provide leadership for the EcO₁₅ with a focus on:
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Healthcare Services
  • Hospitality / Tourism
• Work closely with the Columbus Area Economic Growth Council, the Columbus Area and Hope Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Board, City and County Governments, and other organizations when appropriate.
• Support the Columbus Young Professionals.
• Encourage area businesses to develop employment practices that meet the needs of individuals ages 55 and older.
• Support arts and cultural efforts that enrich and enliven the community.

Fourth Initiative created January 2005.

Adopted by Heritage Fund Board 2/18/08.