What Our Fundraising Events Make Possible
Simply put, independent schools like the International School of Indiana (ISI) fundraise on an annual basis because the cost of tuition alone does not cover the educational experience provided at ISI. While tuition covers many of the fees associated with providing an ISI education, it is philanthropic support that provides the additional resources necessary to enhance our facilities, ensure our programs remain accessible to a diverse group of students, recruit teachers from around the world, generate annual operating revenue — and consequently offer our students a world-class education that no other school in Indiana can provide.
Fundraising events are designed to offer a wide array of options for ISI families and supporters to participate in philanthropically supporting the school. An annual gift to ISI is an investment in our students, our faculty, our facilities, and our potential.
Annual Fundraising Events In Support of the Annual Fund
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Indiana State Museum
The International Gala (formerly known as Travel Auction) is a longstanding ISI tradition and the school's signature fundraising event, engaging ISI families, community partners, and businesses in supporting the institution. The Gala typically brings together over 350 guests, including current ISI families, alumni families, friends, and supporters. This is a formal social event where guests dress up and enjoy dinner and spirits, a silent auction, a live auction, a DJ, and dancing. Most importantly, the evening highlights what philanthropy makes possible at ISI, and it generates more than $175,000 for the ISI Annual Fund annually. This year's event celebrates three decades of International Education in Indiana. The event will be held on the anniversary weekend, providing a special opportunity for past, present, and future Gryphon families and friends to come together in celebration of ISI.
LOWER SCHOOL Slide-A-Thon
Friday, March 7, 2025
Daneri Family Gymnasium
Helping students gain an early understanding of the impact of philanthropic giving to ISI is important in creating a culture of philanthropy for this maturing institution. Originally launched in 2021 as a Lower School student fundraiser to support the ONE ISI Campaign, Slide-A-Thon continues as a Lower School event and House competition. The event is led by Lower School House Captains, and students solicit support from their families and friends. Students slide on inflatable slides as many times as they can within a specific time period, earning as much money as possible from sponsors who can pledge support based either upon the number of slides completed by the student or by a fixed dollar amount that is irrespective of the number of slides completed. Slide-A-Thon launches fundraising efforts in January, and proceeds benefit the ISI annual fund and a Lower School student-selected project.
ISI Trivia Night
Friday, October 18, 2024
Liter House
Get ready for a thrilling night of fun and friendly competition at Trivia Night! This event is the perfect chance for community members 21 and older—whether you're a parent, employee, alum, or friend of ISI—to come together for an unforgettable evening. Gather your team or purchase an individual ticket to dive into an exciting trivia showdown, packed with laughter, creativity, and camaraderie. In addition to testing your knowledge of fascinating facts, awards will be given to teams for the Trivia Winners, Best Dressed, Most Unique Table Decor, and Best in Show! All proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships benefit the ISI Annual Fund.
The Annual Fund Supports:
Financial Aid and Scholarship Program
More than $2.5 million in aid is awarded to students for need and merit-based programs annually. The program is not funded by an endowment. The ability to offer competitive financial aid packages is contingent on fundraising success.
Recruiting, Retaining and Developing Faculty
Philanthropic support ensures that the full cost associated with recruiting, retaining, and developing a global faculty is not passed on to families via higher tuition. Offering competitive compensation and continued professional development is critical to delivering high-quality education to our students.
Facility Maintenance and Improvement Projects
Our campus and facilities are an integral component of the ISI experience. Expenses for maintenance and improvement of the physical structures, the variety of building systems, safety and security systems, as well as various aspects of campus including athletic fields, playgrounds, roads, and parking lots is significant. Though ISI allocates portions of the annual budget for required repairs and maintenance, it is philanthropic support that is essential to enable significant improvements.
Arts, Drama and Athletics Programs
Students benefit greatly from athletics and the arts and both offer avenues for students to find their passion through extracurricular programs. Philanthropic support ensures that the full cost to enable the programs is not passed on to families via higher participation fees.
General Operations
The school incurs in its day-to-day business general expenses that don't necessarily belong to a specific department or function but benefit the school community as a whole. The annual fund provides resources for the school to support these operations that are an important part of doing business.
interested in volunteering?
Please contact:
Kristen Kaiser
Vice President Development and External Relations
kkaiser@isind.org
317 923 1951 ext 326
