Fundraising campaign goes public

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The 500 Festival Foundation is taking its Fueling the Community fundraising campaign to the public. The campaign, which started in 2021 with an internal drive, was announced May 3 at the 500 Festival Kickoff to May event.

500 Festival

“Once we launched our efforts internally, we began our fundraising process by working with those who have been most engaged and invested in the 500 Festival throughout our 65-year history,” 500 Festival Foundation Executive Director Christine Swarm said. “Our Festival community responded with such enthusiasm and generosity, we felt it was time to put out our outreach efforts more broadly. The 500 Festival is driven by our community already, so we’re extremely optimistic about their response of moving us forward.”

The campaign raised $3.4 million from donations from previous supporters. The goal now is to bring that total to $5 million.

Carmel resident Nadine Givens, who has served on the 500 Festival board and 500 Festival Foundation in various capacities since 2004, said for more than 25 years the 500 Festival’s free education, fitness, and leadership development programs and initiatives have impacted the lives of 100,000 Indiana youth and families each year.

“In response to the growing community need for these programs, the 500 Festival is determined to raise the dollars needed to continue the traditions and enhance the programming,” said Givens, a PNC Private Bank senior vice president and Indiana market director. “As our vibrant city grows, so do the numbers of children and adults of all ages who want to participate in the events and programs the 500 Festival offers. It is our goal to meet that ever growing demand. It is important, for we have demonstrated we have an impact towards ensuring Indiana a great place to live and thrive.”