Community Leadership

Gather & Grow Community Leaders

Bartholomew County has benefitted from forward-thinking leaders invested in the future of this community.

Heritage Fund is committed to gathering and growing community leaders that represent the diverse make-up of the Columbus area. We strive to build on the success and generosity of leaders past while embracing new talent and ideas that will drive the community forward.

We want to help engage every person who seeks a seat at the community table and is willing to work to make our community better.

Community Leadership Covenings

Fostering Community Connections

As part of our commitment to gather and grow community leaders, Heritage Fund hosts a series of annual Leadership Convenings to bring together longtime and up-and-coming community leaders to gather, network and share ideas.

Racial Equity

Heritage Fund Commits to Racial Equity with Two-Year Initiative and Community Education

In response to the national call for racial equity in 2020, Heritage Fund committed to addressing unresolved racial issues within the community.

Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Heritage Fund commits to establishing a community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe our differences are a source of strength and that understanding, appreciating, and celebrating our differences will ensure a stronger and healthier community. Heritage Fund invites our donors, community partners, and stakeholders to invest in creating a forward-thinking community that is welcoming, respectful, and actively engaged in racial and cultural equity.

Heritage Fund’s leadership added its full support to the call for change in 2020 when national discussions and protests highlighted unresolved racial issues that continue to divide our country. We are proud to join and acknowledge the many other organizations in Bartholomew County that also have efforts underway to study, understand and take actions to create a more equitable community.

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In August 2020, the HFBC Board unanimously approved a motion to “spend the next 24 months studying and reflecting on the issues of racial equality and equity and determining how HFBC can make a positive impact on the community”.
HFBC has a long history of investing in the growth and well-being of our community. Through this initiative, we are seeking to help catalyze courageous conversations within our board and the larger community to recognize and address racial inequities.

As part of our commitment to study, reflect and become a more equitable and inclusive organization, we have funded projects and programs serving diverse populations and have provided education to 273 community members via the “Interrupting Racism” Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainings.

Supporting Foundations

Increased Impact Through Community Support

Heritage Fund develops strategic partnerships in order to increase impact across the community.

Columbus Capital Foundation

CCF was established in 1994 to support Heritage Fund, the city of Columbus and Bartholomew County by preserving and maintaining land and buildings of historical or architectural significance to the community. Columbus Capital Foundation also exists to acquire key properties for future development.

Landmark Columbus Foundation

In 2015, Heritage Fund launched the program Landmark Columbus to increase the focus on the landmark projects of the Columbus area with the mission to care for, celebrate, and advance the cultural heritage of Columbus, Indiana and like-minded communities. LCF accomplishes Progressive Preservation efforts that assist in caring for buildings, landscapes, and art in Bartholomew County. It serves to educate and advocate for these cultural resources through research, conservation, fundraising, and documentation. It also runs two programmatic arms:

Exhibit Columbus

Exhibit Columbus is an exploration of community, architecture, art, and design that activates the design legacy of Columbus, Indiana. It creates a cycle of programming that uses the context of this place to convene conversations around innovative ideas and then commissions site-responsive installations to create a free, public exhibition.

Columbus Design Institute

Columbus Design Institute is a technical service initiative that promotes the Value of Good Design that built Columbus and was defined by Heritage Fund in the 2000s. Collaborative projects and events are completed with partners through a design process to encourage meaningful investments in the sustainable and equitable development of communities.

Heritage Fund Supporting Foundation

Foundation established for the preservation and property management of the Franklin Square property, including the Heritage Fund office.