Women’s Fund of Central Indiana expands statewide to address gaps facing women 

After 30 years of investing in the well-being of women and girls in Central Indiana, the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana announced its expansion into a statewide organization, now called the Women’s Foundation of Indiana.  

The move is designed to address persistent challenges affecting women and girls across the state, including health disparities, economic inequities and personal safety concerns. 

The foundation’s transition reflects both urgent needs and the direct feedback of women across Indiana. According to the organization, the state faces significant gaps in women’s health and economic security: 

• Indiana’s infant and maternal metrics are among the nation’s most concerning, with high rates of maternal mortality and pre-term birth. 

• Twenty-three of the state’s 92 counties are maternity care deserts, leaving many women without local obstetric care. 

• Women earn approximately 70 cents for every dollar earned by men, 11 cents lower than the national average. 

• More than 42%of Indiana women report experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime. 

• One in three Indiana women ages 18–44 report a depressive disorder, ranking the state 33rd nationally. 

Despite these disparities, issues affecting women receive only 1.9% of all philanthropic funding in the United States. 

Listening first, acting with evidence 

Tamara Winfrey-Harris, president of the Women’s Foundation of Indiana, said the expansion is rooted in research and direct community input. 

“Through research and community listening, women told us clearly: they need more investment, stronger support systems, and policy solutions that improve outcomes for women and families,” Winfrey-Harris said. “We are responding to what women told us they need. As we expand statewide, we will not act on behalf of women without listening to them first.” 

The foundation plans to host 11 listening sessions across Indiana, including South Bend, Crown Point, Anderson, Lafayette, Franklin, Terre Haute, Bedford, Evansville, Jeffersonville, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. The sessions will collect insights from women and girls, pairing them with county-by-county data to create the first State of Women in Indiana Report, which will be released online in March 2027. 

Allissa Impink, director of statewide community engagement, emphasized the importance of these sessions.  

“We want to not act for women. We want to be led by them,” Impink said. “Reports reveal persistent and urgent vulnerabilities in Indiana women’s and girls’ health, economic stability, and personal safety. Women have told us they need more education, engagement, advocacy and investment in the issues that affect them. We are really leaning into that engagement piece by meeting them where they are.” 

Investing in local communities 

The foundation will maintain its commitments in Central Indiana while expanding statewide. Central Indiana endowment funds will remain local, and the organization has created a separate Indiana Fund to support programs outside the eight-county Metro Indianapolis region. 

To celebrate the transition, the Women’s Foundation of Indiana is directing $336,000 in surprise unrestricted grants to Central Indiana nonprofit partners working on health, economic mobility, girls’ empowerment and personal safety. Organizations receiving grants include All-Options, Alternatives, Coburn Place Safe Haven, Columbus Regional Shelter, Center for Victim and Human Rights, GenderNexus, Girls Incorporated of Greater Indianapolis, Girls Incorporated of Johnson County, Girls Incorporated of Shelby County, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Health Care Education & Training, Indiana Diaper Bank, New Beginnings of Indianapolis, Prevail, Televerde Foundation and Women4Change. 

“This moment reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re going,” said Nichole Wilson, board chair of the Women’s Foundation of Indiana. “For 30 years, this community has built something powerful, and we are honoring that legacy while expanding our reach to meet the needs women have shared with us across Indiana. I am proud to help lead this next chapter alongside the Women’s Foundation of Indiana.” 

Building trust and collaboration 

Impink noted that the foundation’s approach to statewide engagement will differ from previous efforts. “It’s our goal to be a trusting partner,” she said. “We want to build strong partnerships, listen to women in each community, and collaborate so that every woman and girl feels empowered. Though our needs might be similar, how we respond will look different in each city and community.” 

Addressing potential skepticism about the impact of these sessions, Impink said the foundation aims to build collective power through grantmaking, advocacy and policy initiatives.  

“We are not going to speak for women,” Impink added. “We are going to be speaking through women. Each woman in these communities will hear her voice coming through our advocacy and the impact we are making.” 

The foundation’s statewide expansion represents a new chapter in addressing the urgent gaps affecting women in Indiana, emphasizing listening, evidence-based action and community-led solutions. 

For more information about the Women’s Foundation of Indiana and upcoming listening sessions, visit inwomensfoundation.org. 

This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/ 

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

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