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 Series Events In Support of the Annual Fund
ISI Trivia Night
Friday, October 13, 2023
Liter House
Trivia Night returns in 2024 as an in-person event for community members 21 and older. Parents, employees, alumni families, supporters, and friends, can gather a team or purchase individual tickets to join in this evening of competition, fun, and camaraderie. In addition to testing your knowledge of fascinating facts, awards will be given to teams for the Best Dressed, Most Unique Table Decor, and Best in Show! All proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships benefit the ISI Annual Fund. Tickets go on sale in September.
ISI Night at the Zoo
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Indianapolis Zoo
Launched in 2020, ISI Night at the Zoo has become a popular community event for ISI. Annually, 250 people, including ISI students, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and alumni, participate in this social event. On this select night, families are able to avoid entry lines and join ISI community members for hot cocoa and coffee, socializing, and a special night enjoying the Zoo's annual light display. Participants also receive special souvenirs from the Zoo. All proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships benefit the ISI Annual Fund. Tickets go on sale in October.
LOWER SCHOOL Slide-A-Thon
Friday, March 1, 2024
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 returns in 2024, refreshed as a Lower School event and House competition. The event will be led by Lower School House Captains, and students will solicit support from their families and friends. Students will 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 student-selected project.
Saturday, March 23, 2034
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. Tickets go on sale in December.
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
MAXIMIZE YOUR IMPACT WITH THE RIGHT SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE
Annual Fundraising Series Sponsorship Guide
We value your partnership. Our Sponsorship program is adaptable to meet the needs of your organization. If you don't see an option that works for you, please contact us to create a custom option.
Contact Us to Activate your sponsorship
Kristen Kaiser
Vice President Development and External Relations
kkaiser@isind.org
317 923 1951 ext 326
