of long-term life-changing legacies
For a decade, Elevate Indianapolis has been redefining economic mobility for urban youth through life-changing relationships and holistic mentoring. Join us as we celebrate 10 years of impact and look ahead to the next chapter.
2015
In 2015, a group of local business leaders, with the support of the Sagamore Institute and Indianapolis Public School’s then-Superintendent, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, visited Elevate Orlando to learn about the impact and mission to consider launching Elevate Indianapolis. Returning with the vision to support Indianapolis student’s, founding Board Chair, Steve Cosler and founding Executive Director, Jim Shaffer, along with founding board members founded Elevate Indianapolis.
2016
In January 2016, Elevate Indianapolis launched our Eastside Pipeline with 45 students in two in-school classes at our first partner school, IPS Arsenal Tech High School, along with IPS Harshmann Middle School and IPS 74 Elementary school.
Superintendent, IPS
November 14, 2017
2018
Expanded our Eastside Pipeline to include H.L. Harshman Middle School and Theodore Potter Elementary #74 and produced a 95% graduation rate while serving 500+ students in Grades 4 to 12. In January 2018, Aaron Story officially began as the Elevate Indianapolis President & CEO.
2019
In 2019, after building out our Arsenal Tech High School pipeline for 3 years, Elevate Indy expended into the westside, thanks in a strong board of directors and staff. We launched at another proud and historic IPS high school, George Washington, serving a total of over 600+ Grade 4 to 12 students in five partner schools in our third year of operation. In 2019, the Arthur Dean Family Foundation became a great support and friend of the impact of Elevate Indy.
2020
While 2020 was a year of global and local crisis and concern, Elevate Indianapolis showed our ability to move ahead in the mission to serve Indianapolis students, whether virtual or in-person. We delivered food boxes and gift cards, did hundreds of house visits (maintaining our distance of course), loaned laptops and iPads and ultimately provided the necessary mental and social support our students and families desired, while being an ongoing partner to I.P.S.
2021
While Elevate Indianapolis has always been committed to measurable impact and results what started in 2020 expanded deeply in our commitment to our Salesforce Thriving Youth Impact tracking platform, which is shared throughout the year in our commitment to transparent impact sharing with Elevate donors and volunteers. In 2021, we increased our infrastructure commitment, launched an impact website for 3 years, and began to integrate our data tracking through all decision-making of the organization.
2022
Bolstered our Eastside Pipeline impact by partnering with Purdue Polytechnic High School - Englewood, Paramount Middle School - Englewood, and Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School and reached 100% graduation rate with 47 seniors earning their high school diplomas while serving 1,000+ students in eight partner schools as well as alumni. With annual expansion of Elevate alumni, we begin making increases of alumni mentoring support and events. Our alumni know, “Once in Elevate, always in Elevate.” While increasing our Sports & Adventure mentoring impact exponentially each year.
2023
Brought Shortridge High School, our fourth high school, increasing our total school partnerships to nine, and served 1,250+ Grade 4 to 12 students and alumni. Thanks to the support of the IPS Foundation, Arsenal Tech High School, and our Board of Directors and an incredible staff, in January 2023 we partnered to launch the Early College program at Tech with the first cohort of students on their dual-credit journey together with Elevate Indy mentoring and college and career support.
2024
Thanks to maturing high school relationships and staff expansions served 1,400+ Grade 3 to 12 students and alumni with in-school classes and out-of-school programming in nine partner schools while building our strategic pipeline through our collaboration with DREAM Alive.
2025
Thanks to the hard work of staff and support of corporate partners, volunteers and funders, our largest class of seniors graduated in 2025 with 94 Elevate Indy scholars entering into a trade, college, or career. This program year we made a stronger emphasis on literacy with 3 elementary school partners, while still doubling down on college and career mentoring and sports and adventure impact. A record number of volunteers and corporate partners provided life-changing
2035
Be Part of the Next 10 Years
We're not just celebrating 10 years—we're building toward the next decade of impact. With a record number of alumni and incoming seniors, we're eager to partner with our community to elevate this generation of emerging leaders. What if in 10 more years you partnered to serve 10,000 more Indianapolis students? Together, we can transform our city’s future.
Thank you to our board members
Through the years, these board members gave their time, talent, and treasure to Elevate. Grateful for your investment and leadership!