Vision 20: An Open Letter to Friends of IndyHub
Friends of IndyHub,
For over two decades, IndyHub has served as the city’s connector, helping Indianapolis’ 20-and 30-somethings find their people, purpose, and place in the community. Since 2005, our organization has been the front door for emerging leaders and new residents alike, sparking thousands of friendships, volunteer commitments, board appointments, and civic engagements that continue to shape the city’s trajectory.
The relevance of our work has never been greater. Indianapolis is set to reap billions from major developments, creating thousands of new jobs, volunteer opportunities, and community investments that 20- and 30-somethings are seeking to be part of. However, we know all too well that this blended age group of millennials & Gen Z does not simply want a job; they seek opportunities to meet their basic needs, build financial stability, develop leadership skills, and establish lasting connections. And that’s why residents, employers, and leaders across Indiana believe in IndyHub’s mission and programming.
As the organization recently announced, IndyHub is now operating without paid staff for the first time in its 20-year history. Like many aspects of our world, we are facing unprecedented challenges, yet our Board of Directors ultimately chose to double-down on our longstanding mission. Vision 20 is a board-led strategic renewal process designed to assess IndyHub’s relevance, operating model, mission alignment, and future opportunities, culminating in a set of recommendations for how IndyHub can best serve young and emerging talent over the next era.
Our efforts span the organization, but are centered in creating sustainable impact, solidifying IndyHub’s role for the future of our city and state. The following goals we are sharing with our community and how we are holding our board accountable:
Remain Transparent & Consistent: While IndyHub’s leadership has temporarily shifted from a full-time CEO to the Board of Directors, the board has made intentional efforts to keep funders, donors, program participants, key partners, and IndyHub supporters informed in our transition.
Establish the Vision 20 Impact Taskforce: While IndyHub’s existing Impact Committee will continue to support the organization's efforts, IndyHub will expand capacity for strategic planning through the newly formed Vision 20 Taskforce to lead the execution of Vision 20 and align community input to IndyHub’s existing strategic plan.
Involve the Community: While the Board of Directors continues active discussions about the future of IndyHub, and the Vision 20 Impact Taskforce will lead efforts to invite residents, program participants, donors, funders, alums, community partners, and young professionals to the table to join this conversation and help shape the organization's future.
Produce an Informed Recommendation: The Board of Directors remains committed to keeping IndyHub’s active network and ongoing programs operational with the resources and capacity needed to function during a leadership transition. Although program operations have not paused, the Vision 20 Taskforce will provide an informed recommendation to the board on any structural, programmatic, and priority enhancements to the organization to inform the new strategic planning process.
Chart a New Course: IndyHub’s existence is rooted in its ability to attract, engage, and motivate 20-and 30-somethings of all varieties to make Indianapolis a better place to live, work, and play. The Vision 20 Taskforce will deliver an annual impact report,The Compass, to inform IndyHub’s stakeholders and the community on impact related to the demographic. The Compass will demonstrate IndyHub’s effectiveness, accountability, and commitment to our mission. By connecting partner contributions to IndyHub’s mission, the Vision 20 Taskforce believes The Compass will honor our organizational commitments to the City of Indianapolis.
Your call to action:
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on efforts with IndyHub & Vision 20.
Register for IndyVolved and join us for a day at Victory Field on Thursday, October 1st!
Make a donation of any size to help us continue this vital work.
Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and create a future in which 20- and 30-somethings work collaboratively to make Indianapolis a top destination for young and emerging professionals.
In Community,
IndyHub’s Vision 20 Leadership Taskforce
Rico Francis, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
Kate Pangallo, Elanco
IndyHub defines “friends” as partners, donors, and believers in the mission to grow, engage, and empower a community of 20-and 30-somethings who are meaningfully connected to the City of Indianapolis and invested in its future. Vision 20 offers residents and stakeholders an opportunity to help shape the organization's next strategic plan. Vision 20 is led by IndyHub Board Members, Rico Francis, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and Kate Pangallo, Elanco.