Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana

Foundation

For more than 40 years, the Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana has been an integral part of our Goodwill’s support for individuals and families. Through the Foundation, Goodwill raises money from individuals, corporations and private foundations and oversees an endowment of more than $30 million – a source of funds used primarily to help develop and launch new operations and services to enhance Goodwill’s mission-related impact.

Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana

The interest generated by Goodwill’s endowment provides funding for programs within Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana and its related entities, Goodwill Education Initiatives and GW Commercial Services. While the retail stores continue to be Goodwill’s financial engine, the Foundation fosters expansion and innovation to tackle community challenges, allowing Goodwill to create and improve services that move individuals and families towards personal, educational and vocational success and economic self-sufficiency.

Go here to see a list of the Foundation’s board of directors.

1635 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN  46222-3852

(317) 524-4265

Federal Tax ID:
23-7148440

Give now

It’s easy to make a one-time or recurring financial gift to Goodwill using our secure, online form.

Planned gifts

Have you ever wished you could support a worthy cause and improve your financial security at the same time? By taking advantage of incentives the IRS provides, Goodwill can craft a gift that delivers exactly the benefits – to us and to you – that you’ve been looking for. For more information, please contact Cindy Tow, Director of Individual Giving, at cindy.tow@goodwillindy.org or 317-258-4414.

A good education is the basis for a lot in life.

Melissa Horn

Indianapolis Met Graduate

Foundation Events

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Legacy Club

Frequently asked questions

Why does Goodwill have a Foundation?

The Foundation is a source of capital and seed money for new initiatives and for applied research and development to enhance the accomplishment of Goodwill’s mission and increase its impact in central and southern Indiana. We need the sustained efforts of our Foundation to attract philanthropic dollars – in the form of cash, stocks and bonds, charitable estate bequests and trusts, and other planned gifts – both to fund current services and to further build an endowment that guarantees future Goodwill services.

Do you get financial help from the government?

No. We have applied for and are awarded grants by government agencies, but the Foundation does not receive regular government funding.

Does Goodwill’s Foundation make grants to nonprofit organizations in the community?

No. The Goodwill Industries Foundation solely supports the programs and initiatives of Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana and its related entities. No grants are given to other organizations or to individuals.

Do all of the financial contributions you receive stay in our local area?

Yes. Contributions made to Goodwill support programs and services provided by Goodwill and its related entities, Goodwill Education Initiatives and GW Commercial Services, in 39 central Indiana counties.

Are donations to Goodwill tax-deductible?

Yes. All financial contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Does Goodwill accept financial donations other than cash?

Gifts of stocks and other types of securities – please let us know if you are making a stock gift by calling Cindy Tow, Director of Individual Giving, at (317) 524-4009 or by emailing her at cindy.tow@goodwillindy.org. Please share your name, the name of the stock and the number of shares so that we may properly value and acknowledge your gift. If your gift is to be used for a special purpose or is given in honor or memory of someone, please inform us. Thank you!

    • Delivery Instructions for DTC Eligible Securities
      • Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
      • DTC #: 0164
      • ACCOUNT #: 6495-9331
      • ACCOUNT NAME: Goodwill Foundation of Central and Southern Indiana, Inc.
    • For Non-DTC Eligible gifts, please contact our office at (317) 524-4328.

Life insurance when the Foundation is named a beneficiary and irrevocable owner
Charitable Gift Annuities
Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designations
Bequests
Gifts in Kind that meet approved Goodwill needs

Our staff

Goodwill’s Office of Community Engagement, which includes the Foundation, is responsible for building relationships with individuals and organizations for purposes of business development, fundraising, volunteerism and more, often helping companies fulfill their corporate social responsibility objectives.

Our staff is happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have about your current or potential involvement with Goodwill.

Rachel Cline Eble

Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer

317-709-1007  |  rachel.eble@goodwillindy.org

Rachel joined the Goodwill Foundation in 2018, bringing with her over 15 years of experience working in fundraising, marketing and communications. She is a proud graduate of The Orchard School, Brebeuf Jesuit and the University of Colorado, Boulder. Prior to joining Goodwill, Rachel was an Associate Director of the Central Indiana Land Trust. Rachel loves working with donors to connect them with a change they want to see in their community. At the Goodwill Foundation, Rachel focuses her time on managing our Foundation team’s overall fundraising strategy and working with major donors, focused primarily on connecting them with Goodwill’s mission. Rachel and her husband have two young sons, whose sticky hands are instrumental in inspiring her to be less of a perfectionist every day. Rachel loves to cook and garden, with results that are not always as impressive as her fundraising work.

Nick Ison

Director of Institutional Giving

317-694-5766  |  nison@goodwillindy.org

Nick serves as the Director of Institutional Giving where he works with foundations and corporations to secure philanthropic support for Goodwill’s programs and services.

Nick graduated from Boston University in 2009 and Princeton Theological Seminary in 2014. At home, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife Whitney and their two young children. He’s looking forward to sharing his love for Legos when they get a bit older.

 

Cameray Vican, MPA

Corporate Partnerships Manager

317-331-2183  |  cameray.vican@goodwillindy.org

Cameray was inspired by Goodwill’s mission and joined the organization in 2016 to empower students at Indianapolis Met, Goodwill’s public high school for traditional-age students. Cameray graduated from Indiana University with a masters degree in Public Affairs and a graduate certificate in fundraising. Cameray transitioned to the Goodwill Foundation in 2017. Her responsibilities have included grants and scholarships management, program development and volunteer engagement. Currently, Cameray advances Goodwill’s mission through Corporate Engagement (events, sponsorships, volunteer days, etc.) and managing the Goodwill Young Leaders, Goodwill’s young professionals board. 

In addition to team fundraising and high-fiving colleagues, Cameray enjoys ninja training, riding bikes and exploring Hendricks County with her young son Camden.

Cindy Tow

Director of Individual Giving

317-258-4414  |  cindy.tow@goodwillindy.org

Cindy serves as the Director of Individual Giving for the Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana. In her role, she is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive annual giving plan to support Goodwill’s programs and services. Cindy works with the Goodwill Foundation staff as well as the Board of Directors to execute outreach, activities, and events that connect donors with meaningful opportunities to empower people and change lives every day.

Cindy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Scranton (yes, same city as The Office!) and received a master’s in public affairs, with a certificate in nonprofit management from IUPUI. She is also an AmeriCorps alumnus, having completed two years of national service in Ohio and Indiana. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Westside Community Development Corporation.

Cindy loves exploring the Indianapolis trails and Greenways with her husband Derek and their two children. She’s also attempting to try all of the best donuts in Indiana.

Alexis Harrison

Individual Giving Manager

317-966-0504  |  alexis.harrison@goodwillindy.org

Alexis joined the Goodwill Foundation in 2020 as the Individual Giving Manager and is responsible for acquiring and retaining new and past donors. She is in charge of managing the employee giving program and also serves as the liaison for the Goodwill Young Leaders Board to assist with activity and event execution, while connecting them to the Goodwill mission in fun and innovative ways.

Alexis graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology/law & society and has been fundraising for over 10 years. When she’s not fundraising, she enjoys playing video games with her husband, Dustin, and two kids. Her “me time” activities include bowling in a league with her mom, crafting on her Cricut and spending as much time outside as possible.

 

 

 

Kristi Borchardt

Grants Manager

317-646-0496  |  kristi.borchardt@goodwillindy.org

Kristi Borchardt serves as the Grants Manager for the Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana. She started her Goodwill journey in 2019, left temporarily, but quickly returned “home” in 2022. Kristi’s love of philanthropy and helping the community she grew up in is precisely why Goodwill has been the best workplace. Kristi’s responsibilities include advancing Goodwill’s mission through grants and scholarships management. Kristi works with internal program stakeholders to develop and submit grant proposals to prospective grantors. She also manages the award of more than $100,000 in scholarships each year through the Foundation Scholarship program. 

Kristi graduated from the University of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. She spends her free time with her husband, Eric, and daughter, Ava, soaking up as much time as they can together while doing puzzles, home renovations, gardening, watching sports, and working on their 8 acres of land.

 

 

 

Kelsey Vaught-Myers

Database & Office Coordinator

317-524-4265  |  kelsey.vaught@goodwillindy.org

Kelsey serves as the Database and Office Coordinator for the Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana. She joined Goodwill in 2017 and is responsible for managing fundraising data, reporting and analytics. Prior to joining the Foundation’s Team, Kelsey worked for Goodwill’s eCommerce Facility as an Operations Manager where she advised Goodwill retail sites in product strategy for sales success online.

Kelsey studied Sustainable Fashion and the French language abroad in the city of Nîmes, France while she worked as an au pair for a family of eight. She and her husband, Evan, eloped in Paris the summer of 2021, and live downtown Indy with their new baby girl, Meadow, born August 2022.

Goodwill Young Leaders Board

Why?

Established in 2014, the GWYLB formed to engage a new generation of leaders to further the mission of Goodwill.

How?

Young Leaders impact Goodwill’s mission through direct volunteer service, philanthropic giving and the facilitation of new relationships.

Who?

The GWYLB are professionals, outstanding in both their accomplishments and potential, who exemplify diversity across race, age, gender, background and profession.

Goodwill Young Leaders Board

Alexander Swider, Chair
Kristopher Subler, Vice Chair
Trevor Rogers, Treasurer
Jim Kauffman, Secretary
Jacob Baldwin
Alexander (Kofi) Barko
Victoria Bratcher
Genevieve Gardner
Michael Glaser
Hephzibah Igwe
Sarah Johnson
Courtney Kinkade
Katie Masell
Jason Millet
Steven Powell
Amelia Renshaw
Zach Rodenbarger
Tarryn Stewart
James Strickland

History

Rev. Howard Lytle, the first Executive Director of Goodwill, established Goodwill as an important organization in the community and laid the groundwork for volunteer leadership that is so important to Goodwill today. When Alan McNeil took over in 1969, he sought to further the organization’s mission and continue the legacy of his predecessor. After expanding Goodwill’s retail stores beyond Indianapolis, McNeil led a campaign to raise funds for the organization. Being a keen businessman with his eye on Goodwill’s future, he proposed the establishment of the Goodwill Foundation, a vehicle that would allow the board to invest in various financial assets that could fund new initiatives. After much planning, the Foundation was approved as the first of its kind for Goodwills nationwide.

On November 29, 1971, distinguished community leaders met to sign the articles of incorporation and appoint the first board of directors for the Goodwill Foundation. Its stated mission was to provide the funds to support Goodwill’s innovative approach toward providing jobs and educational opportunities. This included establishing and expanding employment services and awarding internships to promising students interested in careers related to Goodwill’s work.

Russell Hirschman served as the first president of the Goodwill Foundation, a role he held for nine years. His son, Frank, served on the Foundation Board from 1998 until his death in 2009. Frank’s son, John, has continued the family legacy of service on the Foundation’s board since 2007. William A. Dyer, who served Goodwill for more than 25 years, was the Foundation’s second chair. During his tenure, he doubled assets and introduced many friends to the work of Goodwill. Jack Dustman took over as chair of the board in 1986, after chairing the national Goodwill Board from 1979-1980. Until his death in 2006, he tirelessly raised funds for the Foundation and set up an endowment fund to provide internships to students interested in sales, marketing, development or general management. The Jack Dustman Society honors Jack’s memory by recognizing individuals who have supported Goodwill with a planned or outright gift of $50,000 or more.

The Foundation continued to provide critical support for new Goodwill initiatives throughout the 2000’s, including Indianapolis Metropolitan High School (2004), The Excel Center (its first location opened in 2010) and Nurse-Family Partnership (2011). In 2015, the Foundation became part of Goodwill’s newly formed Office of Community Engagement, combining the talents of Goodwill’s fundraising, business development and community outreach staff in order to better serve all constituents, including individuals, corporations, community partners, foundations and others.

Read more about the history of Goodwill.