Dear friends,
I'm writing to you with an urgent request to consider, asking for your continued support, as our Class of 2026 seniors will experience the power of post-secondary planning. You have an opportunity to double your impact, up to $30,000, towards our total goal of $50,000 of critical funds by the end of June.
Many of our city’s urban students and alumni are facing challenges related to poverty and inequality, but the continued support of Elevate has made a difference with nearly 1,500 students in the 10th year of impact of Elevate Indianapolis.
Your support has created life-changing opportunities and helped build life-changing relationships. In April, a few other Elevate Indianapolis team members and I again attended the Elevate USA National Champions Summit, this year in Tampa, Florida.
This year, we invited our current media intern, Edward- a senior at Purdue Poly in Elevate since his freshman year, to join us.
Edward shared this reflection for our supporters:
“As the only student at the Elevate Champions Summit, I had the opportunity to observe the experience from a different standpoint. I gained a better understanding of the Elevate mission, mindset, and why the model works, as well as its impact beyond Indianapolis. Another key highlight was meeting individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including experienced leaders with a lot of knowledge and influence.
It was meaningful to see all the Elevate affiliates come together around a shared commitment to the mission. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend and represent as a student. Thank you for investing in me and allowing me to be part of such a meaningful experience. The experience captured both the challenges students face and the real impact being made.”
To be it, you have to see it, which is what we believe at Elevate. Edward’s first time flying, first time in Florida, first time seeing an ocean, and first time spending three days around community leaders and influencers who are building thriving communities around the nation.
Sadly, many Indianapolis students are not equipped to overcome the barriers that stand between them and future success, nor are they provided with life-changing opportunities and relationships. With Elevate and a supportive community, our seniors will graduate with a post-secondary plan and hope for the future!
Through March 2026, Elevate served 1,552 students and alumni! Additionally, more than 730 students are engaged with our community partners, such as companies, community centers, and partners. Partnering with our community is critical for the long-term thriving of Elevate students.
Right now, once again this year, thanks to an anonymous donor, the first $30,000 of this $50,000 spring appeal through June 30th will be matched dollar-for-dollar, for continued support of our Family & Alumni Growth and Persistence Manager position. Over the past year, we’ve served over 175 Elevate alumni, providing support in college and career to help keep them on track!
The remaining $20,000 provides much-needed funding to sustain great impact. You can help make it possible to fully support our current students and young alumni with a generous gift.
Your gift will help ensure that students are supported with one-on-one mentoring, education, life and character skills training, and a plan for the future:
- Year-long, day-by-day classroom learning, character development, and essential workforce skills preparation.
- Goal setting and post-secondary preparedness so our seniors can be on a path to upward economic mobility, realizing the power of having a plan.
- Elevate has had a 6-year running 99% high school graduation rate and over 5,300 college and career mentoring hours this year.
Will you help give our city’s youth the attention and support they need to achieve success?
This matching investment of $30,000 is critical for our continued impact on 18-24-year-olds to build on the transformational impact made with us during their high school years.
Please send your gift by June 30th to help Elevate Indy end this fiscal year strong. You can also tap to make a one-time donation or commit to being a monthly donor securely online. Monthly donors are a critical part of our ongoing success!
Thank you for helping us finish our fiscal year strong and for being an incredible part of the Elevate Indy family.
Kindest regards,
Aaron Story
President & CEO
Elevate Indianapolis
P.S. If you have any questions about this initiative or need assistance with making your donation, please don't hesitate to contact me at Aaron@elevateindy.org.
