In classrooms around the country, community matters.
Every day, volunteers and local leaders step up to help students realize their full potential with activities and guidance to complement classroom activity—often, leaning on their own real-world experiences to help students better understand the landscape they’re about to be part of. The Indian Hill Foundation is proud to oversee that momentous duty.
Founded in 2001, the not-for-profit Indian Hill Foundation serves as a philanthropic partner to its home school district, driven by “dedicated leadership focused on the future for both educators and students,” according to Executive Director Meredith Ducey.
The Indian Hill Foundation–which is a separate entity from the school and relies entirely on the generous support of the community–exists to enrich student lives.
“The Indian Hill Foundation plays a role in enriching our schools' curriculum by funding grants that bring innovative ideas into the classroom,” Ducey explains. “Our unique position allows us to support creative concepts that are above and beyond the district’s annual budget or reach.”
Additionally, the organization acts as a bridge between donor interests and district funding opportunities, ensuring that contributions will have the greatest possible impact for educators and students.
The Foundation’s board is made up of 19 volunteers, including three representatives from the district. Those members meet every month to ensure that objectives and goals are on track; they also devote time, monetary support and other meaningful resources outside of these meetings, all in an effort to advance the Foundation’s mission.
That mission is based on a strategic plan, centered on three key pillars: community engagement, alignment with district goals and enhanced philanthropy.
“By fostering strong connections among our nearly 12,000 alumni, families and local stakeholders,” Ducey says, “the Foundation aims to create a supportive network that enriches educational and innovative experiences.”
Ducey adds that aligning Foundation initiatives with the District's IH Promise Strategic Plan ensures that resources are effectively utilized to meet the needs of students and educators.
“Through these efforts,” she adds, “the Foundation seeks to strengthen its philanthropic impact, driving sustainable growth and lasting benefits for the entire district.”
The Foundation engages year-round with parents, alumni, students and community partners to envision ways to enrich student lives and the world at large.
Examples of the Foundation’s impact include the creation and sustaining of the Dorothy Koch iLab at the elementary school, instrumental in the district achieving STEM certification from the State of Ohio; Braves on a Mission, a recipient of Foundation funding through Big Pitch, constructed and delivered beds for children in our community and packed 25,000 meals for children in Africa; the Alumni organization, fostering connections and celebrations among graduates with annual class reunions and hosting alumni events; and Experienceships, a vision brought to life by Foundation Board leadership, which has seen significant growth in participation and has paved the way for the development of the new Entrepreneur Center.
It’s an easy point of connection for others to get involved and impact the community.
“Philanthropy encompasses much more than just monetary contributions,” Ducey says. “Acts of service or gifts of time are critical to driving the Foundation’s mission. More than a hundred dedicated volunteers engage with students inside and outside the classroom—enabling career events, ‘Experienceships,’ senior project judging, the Big Pitch and alumni engagement.
“Together,” Ducey says, "our donors, district partnership and alumni play a crucial role in our success. Together, they empower us to create lasting change and enhance the educational experience for students and educators.”
Indian Hill Foundation | 6855 Drake Road, Indian Hill | 513.272.5932