The Amplifier
2024 Community Impact
Sabrina Tiggs begins singing along to a Michael Jackson song during her class Feb. 22, 2024. Tiggs is a veteran teacher at Belzer Middle School in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
WELCOME MEET THE TEAM ABOUT OUR WORK REPRESENTATIVE ACCOUNTABLE COLLABORATIVE INNOVATIVE EMPOWERING SUSTAINABLE WHAT’S NEXT 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 33
Welcome
“Do Hoosiers have the community news and information they need to THRIVE?”
This question is how Free Press Indiana started.
After interviewing more than 1,000 Hoosiers about their attitudes toward the media and consumption habits of local news, sadly — but with little surprise, the answer was no.
In 2021, a steering committee of six community leaders partnered with the American Journalism Project to identify a solution.
The local news industry faced strong headwinds and journalists in our state were disappearing at a breathtaking rate. It was not a lack of effort — just a lack of resources based on changing business models and the very real expense of local, local reporting.
It’s a people business — feet on street reporters meeting the community where they are is the only solution to provide trusted non-partisan news.
We know, and research routinely shows, a robust local
news ecosystem helps our communities thrive and protects our precious democracy.
It’s not blue or red, it’s a simple fact.
I am so proud of the incredible team we hired. I am more proud, though, about the enthusiasm and passion for helping our community that I see and feel in every hire we have made. Our staff works for you, ALL of you in our community.
I am grateful for our initial partners and donors. You took the leap with us. You asked tough questions, you helped us create the plan and cheered us on. We look forward to continuing this journey together.
I know I will cry when I read this full impact report, our first. It’s breathtaking, honestly, to think about how one call, one question, and some passionate, talented folks could care enough to do this hard work.
Read on. I hope you are as inspired as I am.
Karen
Board
Ferguson Fuson
Chair, Free Press Indiana
Free Press Indiana Board
Karen Ferguson Fuson Former Publisher, Indianapolis Star
Michael Ouimette Chief Investment Officer, American Journalism Project
Barato Britt President & CEO, Edna Martin Christian Center
Melissa Proffitt Partner-in-Charge of Client Relations, Ice Miller LLP
Carolyn Gentle-Genitty Dean, Founder’s College at Butler University
Myrta Pulliam Journalist and Community Leader
Carolene Mays Former State Representative & President of the Indianapolis Recorder
Nichole Wilson Vice President of Community Health Operations, Indiana University Health
Indiana Local News Initiative Steering Committee
Kevin Corcoran
Strategy Director, Lumina Foundation
Karen Ferguson Fuson Former Publisher, Indianapolis Star
Tamara Winfrey-Harris President, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana
Mark Miles
President and Chief Executive Officer, Penske Entertainment Corp.
Mark Miles President and Chief Executive Officer, Penske Entertainment Corp.
Myrta Pulliam Journalist and Community Leader
Rafael A. Sanchez Chief Impact Officer, Old National Bank
Meet the Team
Bro Krift CEO
Tashween Ali Director of Audience Development
Ebony Chappel Market Director
Sterling Davis Director of Individual Giving
Peter Hanscom Chief Development Officer
Nicole O’Neal Fundraising Operations Specialist
Katy Patterson Chief of Staff
Lisa Renze Managing Editor, Partnerships and Projects
Free Press Indiana Staff
Oseye Boyd Editor in Chief
Ariana Beedie Community Journalism Director
Darian Benson Eastside Reporter
Sharlene Birdsong Indy Documenters Assignment Editor
Peter Blanchard Government Reporter
Mirror Indy Staff
Jennifer Delgadillo Arts & Culture Editor
Tyler Fenwick Economics Reporter
Emily Hopkins Data Reporter
Amanda Kingsbury Managing Editor of Innovation
Carley Lanich K-12 Reporter
Ryan Martin Deputy Managing Editor
Mary Claire Molloy Health Reporter
Claire Rafford Higher Education Reporter
Gwen Ragno Web Producer
Enrique Saenz Westside Reporter
Chris Sikich Managing Editor Mesgana Waiss Arts & Culture Reporter
Jenna Watson Art Director
Sophie Young Service Reporter
Mirror Indy Staff
About Our Work
We believe in local news in which residents see themselves. To achieve our goals, Free Press Indiana adheres to the following values that model the change and impact we aim to create in our community.
Representative
Accountable
Collaborative
Innovative
Empowering
Sustainable
In December 2023, Free Press Indiana’s first nonprofit newsroom, Mirror Indy, began publishing. Throughout the last year, the journalism and community engagement from the Mirror Indy team has proven firsthand the direct impact that high-quality local news can have on residents. The work represented in this report is fully reflective of the ways our team lives out our mission, vision and values on a daily basis.
Mission
Strengthen our communities and preserve democracy in Indiana. Fill information gaps with original community-based nonpartisan local reporting and work collaboratively with the Indiana news ecosystem to distribute content until every Hoosier has the information they need.
Vision
A better Indiana for all Hoosiers.
Representative
As a small, startup news organization, Mirror Indy couldn’t be all things to all people. We had to be intentional about our coverage area. With that in mind, we determined our target audience based on six personas of Indianapolis residents, and we decided we would focus our content to fill gaps in four areas — accountability, arts & culture, community and service.
From our target audience, our name, logo and colors, everything is intentional. We reflect the vibrancy, the spirit and the challenges of Indianapolis. We tell the stories our neighbors want to know about, and we do that by listening to them through our Chat N Chew community listening sessions, our Documenters program and our neighborhood reporters.
Eastside neighborhood reporter Darian Benson and westside neighborhood reporter Enrique Saenz find those hyperlocal stories that connect neighbors to each
other, their community and Indianapolis. They find the stories neighbors often know but rarely make the news.
While we are an organization dedicated to community news, we believe accountability journalism and community journalism are two sides of the same coin. Community news doesn’t always mean feel-good feature stories. Community news also means holding power to account for our neighbors and empowering them with the information to do the same. Accountability journalism is integral to building a strong community and city.
Our goal at Mirror Indy is to serve our audience by providing news, information and resources they need to be civically engaged and to thrive in Indianapolis.
Oseye Boyd Editor in Chief, Mirror Indy
Values in Action
Representative: We value and celebrate inclusivity and the diversity of voices and perspectives within Indiana’s communities and we approach our work objectively.
Team Member Highlight
Chris Sikich — Not one for the spotlight, managing editor Chris Sikich leads his team with a quiet, steady demeanor that pushes them to be better journalists. His philosophy of working with reporters to make story ideas stronger instills confidence in them. Mirror Indy’s mission is always top of mind for Chris.
Impact by the Numbers*
• In the Mirror subscribers: 24K
• Play List subscribers: 12K
• Social media followers: 20,772
• Text messaging service (SMS) subscribers: 1,083
*Data as of EOY 2024
Accountable
Accountability is at the heart of our journalism every day — not to tear down our community, but to demand better for it.
Last year, we reported how the pursuit of economic development at Greenlawn Cemetery threatened human remains. Community leaders and public officials cited the reporting while making decisions about the historic area.
In “Trapped,” we exposed a pattern of sexual harassment and abuse in city hall, as well as how three women worked to overcome the systems of power that enabled it. Less than a week after the article published, the mayor issued a public apology and the City-County Council opened an investigation.
Our series “Out of Options” revealed troubling allegations at a mental health facility. The stories spurred the county prosecutor to call for an investigation.
“Broken Housing” showed how the Indianapolis Housing Agency’s failures had fueled a housing crisis.
The reporting is at the center of several ongoing conversations as housing advocates and community leaders fight for change.
For the general election, we worked with partners around the state to provide enhanced coverage for Hoosier voters. By joining forces, six key partners worked to expand not only the kinds of stories told, but to increase the quantity and to broaden the audience reach of that content.
Stories were shared across digital platforms, as well as with rural news outlets that maintain traditional print publications. Additionally, radio stations across the state had access to audio versions via Free Press Indiana’s partnership with the Public News Service.
Ryan Martin Deputy Editor, Mirror Indy
Lisa Renze Managing Editor, Partnerships and Projects,
Free Press Indiana
Values in Action
Accountable: We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity and ethical journalism, and we expect the same from government bodies.
Team Member Highlight
Darian Benson | Eastside Reporter
As a third-generation eastsider, Darian is pressing for answers on behalf of her neighbors. She asked questions about the quality of a grocery store, elevated concerns about a lack of Girl Scouts troops and pushed for answers about the future of the former Indiana Women’s Prison site in the middle of an eastside neighborhood.
Emily Hopkins | Data Reporter
Emily played a major role in the Greenlawn and “Broken Housing” investigations last year, but they also provided accountability in several other ways. They asked why ShotSpotter detectors were still in place across our city, for example, and noted how Indy voters’ apathy is driven by a lack of choices on their ballots.
Collaborative
Fostering collaboration is one of our organization’s key pillars.
So far, Free Press Indiana’s network of partners have shared more than 150 Mirror Indy stories and we have elevated more than 70 stories from other media partners in the network that have had statewide and national reach.
More than a half dozen projects have been completed, including working with rural news outlets to help their work — despite many of them having limited resources.
The growing news desert situation means that now nearly half of all Indiana’s counties are down to one or fewer local news outlets.
Free Press Indiana is working to change that by facilitating investment in these geographic areas through philanthropic support, among other methods.
From the inception of our organization, we have prioritized face-to-face outreach as a mode of collaboration. From statewide listening sessions to weekly, conversational gatherings in libraries and other community spaces, we have invested in meeting our readers where they are. In addition to these efforts, we have collaborated with Indianapolis initiatives like BLACK: A Festival of Joy, Chreece Hip-Hop Festival, People We Meet on the Bus and other groups to bring awareness to our work among key demographics.
Ebony Chappel Market Director, Free Press Indiana
Lisa Renze Managing Editor, Partnerships and Projects, Free Press indiana
Values in Action
Collaborative: We actively seek partnerships with media outlets, philanthropic organizations and community leaders to collectively enhance the impact of local news in Indiana.
Team Member Highlight
Katy Patterson | Chief of Staff
A self-described details guru, Katy works intently to make sure our business systems are efficient and effective. She has successfully navigated Free Press Indiana’s fiscal transition for one example, ensuring a low-barrier method of paying freelancers and Documenters, increasing our ability to foster meaningful collaborations with community members.
Tashween Ali | Director of Audience Development
Being able to use metrics to reach audiences is at the core of Tashween’s work. A native Midwesterner who spent time on the east coast working for brands like Hearst and Conde Nast, she is happy to be back in the heartland leading efforts to build our news organization statewide.
Innovative
Just like journalists have a gift for telling stories, the way artists see the world is essential for understanding the human experience. The innovation team worked with nearly 100 local freelance artists — poets, musicians, visual artists, writers — to enrich our community storytelling, whether it was an investigative series or a “Culture Journal.”
In July, we launched Play List, the arts & culture newsletter that is narrated by Mirror Indy journalists and well-known artists. We focus on the word “play,” because we want people to have fun exploring arts & culture experiences.
In that spirit, we told stories through poems, soundscapes, comic illustrations, puppet shows, an original song — and even through a “traveling story.” Working with artists and curators, we turned Emily Hopkins’ reporting on Greenlawn Cemetery into a 3D exhibition that can move to different community spaces.
We also focused on connecting with young people. In November, Daya Bates, Mirror Indy’s “kid correspondent,” took the stage alongside Women’s Fund President Tamara Winfrey-Harris to interview Ruby Bridges in front of 1,000 people.
Heading into the General Election, reporter Sophie Young created an election zine for first-time voters. The zine was distributed at libraries, polls, and our Mirror Indy Votes party in Broad Ripple.
As one 18-year-old said about the zine, “This will give us something to talk about when we’re in line to vote.” If we can connect people to each other, we can connect them to their community.
With the support of the Lumina Foundation and American Journalism Project, we launched a marketing campaign centered around raising awareness of Mirror Indy’s existence while highlighting the uniqueness of our storytelling. The 12-week-long campaign featured radio spots on local urban stations, billboards, direct mail, social media influencers and advertisements on bus routes throughout the city. Key taglines, We Are Here. and Local news. Like local, local.
Jennifer Delgadillo
Arts & Culture Editor, Mirror Indy
Amanda Kingsbury
Managing Editor of Innovation, Mirror Indy
Values in Action
Innovative: We embrace new approaches to storytelling, utilizing emerging technologies and fresh ideas to create engaging and relevant news experiences.
Team Member Highlight
Jennifer Delgadillo | Arts & Culture Editor
If you’ve read a Mirror Indy story and thought, “Hey, that’s really creative,” there’s a 99.9% chance that Jennifer’s mind was involved. A visual artist and poet, Jennifer writes the Play List newsletter, shapes the vision for our arts & culture coverage and ensures that people feel connected to local creatives, so they feel welcome in arts & culture spaces.
Jenna Watson | Art Director
Jenna leads our efforts to ensure visual storytelling – photos, videos, illustrations and more – makes local news accessible and compelling. She commissions artwork that depicts scenes and information in a way that photos alone cannot, such as with our “Trapped” series. Along with shooting and editing photos and videos, she helps nurture the talent of freelance visual journalists who bring different perspectives to our stories.
Empowering
Part of our mission is to give Indianapolis residents useful information that can make their lives better. We use service reporting to keep people informed about everything from their rights as renters to how they can take advantage of a new bus route.
Our newsroom has emphasized making sure people are empowered to be active and informed residents in our community — whether that’s by getting involved with a neighborhood association or busting down the doors at a City-County Council committee meeting.
And this work doesn’t just come from reporters. We have more than 240 people who are trained and paid to attend public meetings and take notes, record and give live updates on social media.
By empowering residents to get involved, we’re helping create even more access to information and resources.
Our reporters couldn’t possibly attend every meeting that pops up, but our Indy Documenters program expands the newsroom’s reach exponentially, making sure Mirror Indy has a wide and lasting presence in our community.
We’re also expanding the way we tell stories and get information to residents. Mirror Indy has three texting groups focused on our everyday work, the westside neighborhood and housing. Combined, more than 1,000 people signed up to get updates from our reporters. And it’s a two-way conversation. Subscribers can use the groups to text our reporters directly with questions they have or anything they want us to look into.
Ariana Beedie Community Journalism Director, Mirror Indy
Tyler Fenwick Economics Reporter, Mirror Indy
Values in Action
Empowering: We embolden communities by providing essential news and information, enabling residents to make informed decisions.
Team Member Highlight
Mesgana Waiss | Arts & Culture Reporter
As Mirror Indy’s social media strategist, Mesgana breathed new life into our content by presenting it in an easy-to-understand, digestible format on social media platforms. Her thoughtful approach helped reporters and their work shine on Instagram or Facebook. In her new role as Arts & Culture reporter, the original content she produces also gives our audience a peek into her outside-the-box creativity.
Sustainable
To ensure the durability of our existing newsroom and provide the resources necessary to expand, Free Press Indiana’s development team is executing an ambitious multi-year plan to diversify and grow our revenue. This year, we welcomed a three-person team to strategically build our fundraising from grants and foundations, grassroots membership giving, individual donors and advertising and sponsorship. In total, their effort raised more than $1 million in new revenue this year and helped to decrease future reliance on our founding investors.
In 2024, more than 830 dedicated members stepped up to financially support our mission and ensure our reporting is free and accessible to all. At Free Press Indiana, there is no minimum donation to be recognized as a member,
and we look forward to building a strong and connected community of donors, regardless of their contribution level. Our members are advocates for their neighborhoods and understand the vital role local news plays in building healthy, connected and informed communities where everyone has the ability to thrive.
In the coming year, we look forward to launching new advertising and sponsorship opportunities with Mirror Indy and experimenting with innovative ways for readers to engage with and invest in our work.
Peter Hanscom Chief Development Officer, Free Press Indiana
Values in Action
Sustainable: We are committed to a lasting future for local journalism, cultivating diverse funding sources that ensure our independence for the long term.
Team Member Highlight
Nicole O’Neal | Fundraising Operations Specialist
On any given day, you can find Nicole optimizing Free Press Indiana’s fundraising landing pages, delivering donation receipts, managing grant reporting compliance, and helping track overall campaign performance. She specializes in building the systems and processes necessary to ensure we have a frictionless donation experience and are accountable to every donor.
Sterling Davis | Director of Individual Giving
Whether it’s over coffee and a tour of our office at 16 Tech or lunch in your neighborhood, Sterling loves meeting one-on-one with donors to share the impact of their investment in our work. As a native westsider, he has a special appreciation for our city and the outcomes of immersive local reporting.
Financials
As a startup nonprofit news organization, Free Press Indiana’s success is built on the generous support from grants and foundations, individual donors and sponsorship from community partners.
Last year, we raised more than $4.8 million to support our mission and ensure our work is sustainable. We have an ongoing focus to continue diversifying our revenue streams and democratizing the organization’s funding structure.
Firm firewalls exist between Free Press Indiana’s development operation and the editorial team in any newsroom we support. We are proud to adhere to a strict editorial independence policy that promotes transparency, disclosure and fiscal discipline that protects the journalistic integrity of our coverage.
2024 Free Press Indiana Revenue
In December 2024, the Free Press Indiana board of directors approved a $5.3 million operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
Individual Donors
Chithra Adams
Samuel Adams
Constance Addison
MosadiOluwa Grace
Adegorite
Kent Agness
Renee Akins
Charlee Alexeev
Brooke Alford
Cameron Alford
Cheryl Alfred
Tashween Ali
Martha Allan
Stephen Allee
Kellie Allen
Robin Allen
Philip Amerson
Keira Amstutz
Daniel Anderson
David T. Anderson and Dr. Caryn Cockeril Anderson**
Leanne Anderson
Thomas Anderson**
Kathleen Angelone
Rosa Angelone
Angie Antonopoulos
Andrew Arenson
Kevin and Nancy Armstong**
Patrick Armstrong
Michael Arnett
Michael Arnolt**
Gena Asher
Paul Atkinson
Barbara Baird
Alicia Baker
Jerry Baker
Raymond Baker
Jeb Banner
Margaret Banning
Melody Barber Hence
Carole Barnaby
Carol Barnes
John Barth
Frank Basile**
Barbara Bates
Leon E. Bates
Kate Bathon Shufeldt
Thomas Battista
Bethany Baugh
Sara Beanblossom
Elizabeth Becker
Kerry Beidelman
John Bell
Cary Benbow
Peyton Bennett
Theresa Berghoff
Elisabeth Berlin
Mariann Bernlohr
Karl Berron
Kevin Betz
Anita Beverly
Peter Bhatia
Meg Biallas
Jennifer Bibbs
Fred Biesecker
Kathryn Bindewald
Jennifer Bingham
Lisa Birkbeck
** Denotes Headliners, a leadership giving society to recognize donors who have given $1000 or more during the course of the last year.
Impact by the Numbers
• 231 donors who have a recurring contribution plan
• $16 - average gift of a monthly donor
• 835 individual members
• 67% of our members contributed less than $100 last year
Grant Support
• Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation
• American Journalism Project
• Ferguson Fuson Family Foundation
• Glick Philanthropies
• Herbert Simon Family Foundation
• Indiana University Health
• Lumina Foundation
• Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
• Open Campus
• Samerian Foundation Inc.
Sam Blevins
William Blevins
Pam Blevins
Hinkle
Michael Blickman
Elizabeth Blomquist
Katie Blum
Mark Bode
Bill and Sarah
Bolger
Weston Allen
Bonczek
Liam Bonner
Daniel Boots
Theresa Bordenkecher
Gabriel Bosslet
Cheyanne Boyd
Eugene Boyd
Oseye Boyd
Kareema Boykin
Kathleen Boyle
Ronald Boyle
Elizabeth Brandt
Kayla Branham
BD Brannan
Sue Ellen Braunlin
E Gail Bray
John Breen
Mary Breidenbach
Peggy Breidenbach
Alyssa Brelage
Brett Brewer
Rachel Brewer
Greg Bright
Leah Brinkman
Elizabeth Brooks
Abigail Brown
Kelly Brown
William Browne
David Browning
Liz Browning
Jerri A Bruckmann
Bruce Buchanan
Nancy Buchanan
Jacob Budler
Jennifer Burch
Jarron Burdine
Jeff Byerly
Marissa Byers
Medley Byers
Willie Byrd Jr.
Marcela Cabello
Kathy Calwell
Christine and Henry Camferdam**
Rex Camp
Laura Campbell
James E Cangany
Lisa Cardona
Moira Carlstedt**
Susan Carpenter
Vivien Carter
Patricia Castaneda
Abbey Chambers
Ebony Chappel
Dawn Charbonneau
Alyssa Chase
Meg Christensen
Douglas Church
Leah Clapman
Mary Clark
Susan Clarke-Johnson
Michael Clemens
Kevin Cloer
Joseph Coffey
Abigail L Coleman
Gina Coleman
Tami Coleman
Grace Colette
John Commons
Tracey Compton
Anthony Conley
Steven Conrad
Gene Cook
Robert Cook
Thomas Cook
Kristen Cooper
Mike Corbett
Kevin and Trisha Corcoran**
Martha Cortes
Dolly Craft
Donald Craft
Doreen Crenshaw
Betsy & Casey Cronin
Adam Crowe
Kathy Crowe
Erin M Crowther
Andrew Cruez
Adria Crutchfield
Cassandra Crutchfield
Randy Crutchfield
Alexandra Curtis
Cathy Cutchins
Gene D’Adamo**
Calla Dain
Murph Damron
Deborah Daniels
Ronald Darrah
Marlo David
John and Kathy Davis Foundation, a Donor
Advised Fund**
Kurt Davis**
Renee Davis
Theresa Davis
Anne De Prez**
Angela Delise
John C DePrez Jr
Ann Dettwiler
Benjamin Deutsch
Susan Devoe
Sarah Diaz
John Diercks
Sally Dietzler
Mary Dilthey-Griggs
Brianna Dines
Reen Dobie
Kate Dobson
Levi Dolan
Tyson Domer
Ryan Donnelly
Kyle Dorsch
Patricia Dorson
Christopher Douglas
Brian Douglas Scott
Paul and Lisa Dovey
Patti Duckworth Read
Colin Dullaghan
Ramon Dunkin
Steve Dunlop
Art Duszynski
Owen Dwyer
Justin Dyer
Jennifer Dzwonar
Julie Eilers
Robert Einterz
William L. Elder Jr.**
Joel Elliott
Scott Elliott
Jessica C Elston
Marc Emral
Rita Englum
Robert L Erney
Catherine Marie Esselman
Taylor Etchison
Brandon Evans
Dan & Marilyn Evans**
Hannah Evans
Cheryl Fahrenbach
Cori N Faklaris
Michael Fallahay
Andrea Farmer
David Feinberg**
Becky Fenwick
Janet Ferguson**
Ferguson Fuson Family**
Jaimie Ferren
Benjamin Ferris
MaryAnna Ferris
Cathy Finney
Elizabeth Fischer
Nancy Fitzgerald-Bellovary
Scott Flood
Peggy Florestano
Kevin Flynn
Ashley Ford
Carol Foster
Charity Foster
Peggy Frame
Jennifer Franklin
Lisa Freeman
Sarah Freeman
Brenda Freije
Jessica French
Elizabeth Friedland
Joanie Fuson
Kenneth Gaerte
Adrian N Gaeta
Gara Gaines
Sara Galer
Patricia Gamble-Moore
Josh Gartner**
Esther Garza
Lynn Gattlieb
Shelly Gattlieb
Elisabeth Gawthrop
Alyssa Geisler
Steve Gerber
Susan Gerhart
Pat Gibboney
Lesli Gibson
Sheryl Ginaven
Leona Glazebrooks
Marianne Glick**
Katrinka Gmerek
John Goldes
Stephen Goldsmith
Lauren Good
Julie Goodman
Robert Goodman
Clare Gorr
Jan Goss
Sandra Gourdet
Marisol Gouveia
Pamela Grant-Taylor
Catherine Green
Sharry Lee Gregory
Tom Greist
Toni Grimes
Elisabeth Groot
Bill Groth
Steve Grow
Gretchen Guard
Andre Guima
Ryan Gunterman
Ange Guntz
John Guy**
Susan Guyett
Nancy Gwin
Curt Wellman and Patty
Hagen**
John Hagenmaier
The Gregory F. and Elizabeth
Quinn Hahn Family Donor
Advised Fund, a fund of the Indianapolis Foundation**
Carla Hall
Connie Hall
Scott Hall
Kelly Hamman
Charles Hammond
Delores Hampton
Nathan Hand
George Hanlin
Peter Hanscom
Charles G Hanson
Tiffany Hanson
Steve Harman
Renee Harness
Alethea Harnish
Max Harper
Christopher M. Harrell
Leigh Harris & Gary
Thompson**
Susan Harris
Chris Hartley
Lucy Harvey
Paul Haut
Sandra Hawk
Deana Haworth**
Denise Hayden
Julie Hayden
Lisa Heacox
Molly Head
Ellen Healey
Sara Hebel
Linda Heitzman
Sarah Hemmersbach
Glencoe Family Foundation Inc**
Lisa Hendrickson
Laurel Hensel
Deanna Hensley
Lori A Henson
Denise Herd
Angela Herrmann
Toni Herron
Elise Hertz
Elizabeth Hightower
Crystal Hill
Kelly Hill
Rebecca Hill
Riley Hill-Kartel
Kelsey Hilton
Constance Hines
Paul Hinton
Paul Hodierne
Bex Hoffer
Jessica Hoffman
Julia Hogan
Jason Holliday
Laura Holzman
Denise Hopkins
Suzanne Hopkins
Karen Horseman
Beth Hospodarsky
Benjamin J Houle
Ethan Hrobsky
Diane Hubbard Kennedy
Cheryl Hubbell
Michael & Liane Hulka**
Benjamin Hunley
Catherine Hurt
Susan Hyatt
Rhonda Impink
Ben Inskeep
Krisztina Inskeep
Kerry Irick
Kimberly L Irwin
Steve Irwin
Anita Jackson
Ellen Jackson
Linda Jackson
Tim Jarzombek
Shannon K. Jenkins
Bob Jenks
Victoria Jennings
Ruth Jewett-Warner
Claudia Johnson
Jedediah Johnson
Meagan Johnson
Bob Jones
Chris Jones
Jasper Jones
Robin Jones
Elizabeth Jordan
Ronald Jordan
Steve D Kaelble
Althea Kaminske
Larry Kane
Steven Kane
Anastasia Karel
Bee Kartes
Heidi Kauffman
Andrew Keeler
Bradley Keen
Laura Kehoe
Erin Kelley
Margo Kelly
Eleadah Kemp
Andy Kennedy
Sue Kennedy
Sharmin Kent
Mina Keohane
Carol Killen
Stacy Kinder
Anne King
Carolyn Kingen
Violet Kingsbury
Randall Kinsley
Linda Kirby
Robert Kirk
Janelle K Kirsch
Francia Kissel
Matt Kite
Emily Kitterman
Francesca Klein
Jennifer Knebel
Rebecca Knotts
John Koch
Megan Kramer
Cory Kranek
Laura Krantz
Anna Krift
Bro Krift
Ellen Krift
Elizabeth Kryder-Reid
Erica Kuchinski
Greg Kueterman
Marina Kukla
Jenn Kurdziel
Paul Labbe
Lisa Laflin
Anne Laker
Jayne Langan
Lisa Lanham
Theresa Lansberry
Allan Lasser
Carolyn Lausch
Juanita Lee
Nancy Lee
Rachel Lee**
Michael Leppert
Lori LeRoy
Dawn Lewis
Andra Liepa
Michael Lindburg
Coye Lloyd
Yvette Loch
Janet Loudermilk
Rachel Loveman
Lisa Loving-Laflin
Katharine Lukes
Judy Lumbert
Russell Luzetski
Frank Mackell
Kathryn Maeglin
Mike Magan
Sandra Maher
Bill Malcolm
Jane Rank Malless**
Shirley F Malone
Ryan Mann
Steven Mannheimer
Lyle Mannweiler
Chelsea Marburger
Morton Marcus
Eugene Maresca
Katie Marlowe
Chris Maroldo
Clif Marsiglio
Ryan Martin
Cory Martinson
Robert Martinson
Angel Maschino
David Mason
Amy Massillamany
Christine L Matthews
James Matthews
Claire Mauschbaugh
Susan B May
Marek Mazurek
Marc McAleavey
Mary McAteer
Catherine McCann
Alex McCarthy
Katlyn McDermitt
Richard McElroy
Melissa McHaffie
George McLaren
Sandra McLin
Claudia McPete
Russ McQuaid
Kaye McSpadden
Jason Melchi
Sonia Mendez
Jennifer Mendoza
Jolene Mentink Moffatt
Katie Mercer
Larry Messing
Daniel Meyer
Carrie Miannan
Mark and Helen Miles**
Martha Miles
Geoffrey Miller
Gina Miller
Harold Miller
Meghan Miller
Shawndra Miller
Lila Mills
Kelli Mirgeaux
Lori Miser
Elaine Mittleman
Pauline Moffat
Melonie Mohr
Vanessa Monfreda
David Moore
Patrick Moore
Kristina Moorhead
Ann and Bill Moreau**
Mary Morgan
Mary Jane Moriarty
Olivia Mozzi
Julie Muncy
Seana Murphy
Statia Murphy
Ray Muston
John & Carolyn Mutz**
Reyn Myers
Valory Myers
Jamila Nassar
Timothy Nation
Julie Neighbours
Tom Neltner
Susan Neville
Kristin Newborn
Tony Nguyen Wiederhold**
Alexandra G Nickerson
Ann Niednagel
Keith Nightenhelser
Joe Norman
Stevie Norman
Mary Ann Nowlin
Ellen O’Connor
Nicole O’Neal
Holly O’Neill
Natasha O’Neill
Andrea O’Connor
Alexis Odle
Samuel Odle**
Akoto Ofori-Atta
Angela Okragly
Dawn Olsen
Michael Orr**
Myra Otto
Michael Ouimette**
Jill Palmer
Wendy Parker
Casey Patrick
Katy Patterson
Fred Payne
Susan Payne
Rita Peat
Jason Peifer
Patricia Pelizzari
Jason Penrod
Susan Peoni
Girtha Perkins
Patricia Perrin
Zackary Perry
Magen Peters
Charlotte Peterson
Stefan Petranek
Michael Pettry
Emily Pierle
Mike Piggott
Jill Gotts Pinch
MaryEllen Pitts
Cheryl Platt
Steven Pockrass
Claudia Polley
Mackenzie Poole
Nancy Poore
Jody Pope
Kathi and Bob Postlethwait**
Iris Powell
Will Prim
Myrta Pulliam**
Brad Quinn**
Kris R
Kelly Rafford
Gwen M Ragno
Patti Raley
Barbara Ralston
Linda Ramey-Greiwe
Monica Ramsey
Pam Ratz
Kathleen Rauth
Trinity Rea
Chris Reading
Mary Redman
Brian Reeves
Adele Reich
Joel Reichenbach
Lisa Renze
Alicia A. Reuter
Debby Rhodes
Julie Rhodes
Susan Richardson
Suzie Richardson
Timothy Riffle
Oliver Riggle
Mary Glenn Rinne
Pamela Risley
Neal and Erika Roach
Toni Roark
Patricia W Roberts
Kimberly Robertson
Nicholas Robertson
Stephanie & Tom Robertson
Becky Robinson
Natalie Rodriguez
Kate Roesch
Jacob Roesler
Mary Rogers
Sarah Rogier
Ben Rose
Jalen Roseberry
Tiffany Rossetti
Vicki Rubio
Pia S
Scott Saalman
Elaine Sanchez
Rebecca Saunders
David Savage
Zach Schalk
Greg Schenkel
Paul G. Scherrer
Jim Scheurich
John Schlechte
Alice Schloss**
Gregory Schmalfeldt
John W. Schmidt
Jen Schmits Thomas**
Eric Schoch
Alan Schoff
Laura Schroeder
Leslie Schulte
Alison Schumacher
Jennifer Schuster
Emily Scott
Jonathan Scott
Jen & Tom Searcy
Wendy Sedlak
Sonya Seeder
Dan Seitz
Justin Sell
Anne and Andrew Sellers**
Laura Selm
Abdul Shabazz
Tim Shaffer
David & Anne Shane Donor
Advised Fund**
Scott Sharlow
Jordan Sharp
Jordan Shea
Megan Sheeley
Lauren Shelton
Ann Shepherd
Lindsay Shipps
Victor Sikich
Ruth Simmons
Deborah Simon**
Donna Sink
Elyse Sipka
Taylor Sloan
Samuel T Sluis
Annie Smith
Barbara Smith
Bonnie Smith
Lily Smith
Michael Smith
Kate Snedeker
Sam Snideman
Brandy Snider
Nancy Solliday
Kerbeh Sorsor
Dennis Southerland
Aaron Spiegel
Nora Spitznogle
John St. Angelo
Natalie Stafford
Eva Stanfield-Ince
Cindy Stanley
Alexandra Stark
Toby Stark
Camille Stephens
Carli Stevenson
Barbara Stilwell
Amy Stockwell
Kathy Stolz
Meg Storrow
Debbie Straker
John Strauss
Monica Striby
Mark & Cindy Strietelmeier
Jeffrey Stroebel
Susan Stuart
Joe Stuteville
Kerry Dinneen and Sam B. Sutphin**
Lynlee Swartz
Anne Sweeney
Steve Sweitzer
Laura Lea Sweney
Lynn Sygiel
Connie Szabo Schmucker
Lillian Tandy
Mark Tarpey**
April Tayman
Phyllis Teusch
Alicia Thomas
Ashley N Thomas
Jill Thomas
John Thomas and Jen
Schmits Thomas
Caroline Thompson
Linsey Thompson
Quintin Thompson
Chris Thorpe
Julia Thorpe
Douglas Tillman**
Laurel Tobin
James Todd
DAVe TOO
Anne Tordai
Michael Torres
Stephen Towne
Anna Tragesser
Joan Trendell
Jessica Trimble
John Triplett
Linda Trippi
Anthony Troxell
Steven Ullberg
Chris Vachon
Anne Valentine
Jean VanLeeuwen
Teresa VanStratt
Vasanthi Vasudevan
Susan Vinicor
Laurel Judkins & Craig Von
Deylen**
Janet Vondersaar
Tyler Wade
Shirley Wagle Valenti
Jennifer Wagner Chartier
Eileen Waldron
Sheila Walkup
Derek Wallace
Rocky Walls
Jennifer Walton
Stephanie Wang
Christy Wareham
Donnie Waters
LJ Watson
Stanley Watson
Andrea Watts
John Weaver
Peter Webb
Carol Weiss
Gabrielle Weldy
Barbara Wellnitz
Cynthia Wenz
Quinton West
Philip Whistler
Eileen White
Lee White
Taylor White
Julia Whitehead
Sara Whitmer
Skylar Whitney
Jack and Julia Wickes
Julia Wilder
Sunny Lu Williams
Tawnya Williams
Jessica & Dave Willis
Jeanne Wilson
Jill Wimberly
Dolores Wisdom
Judy Wolf
Marilyn Wolf
Kay Wood
Shelly Woods
Maurice Woodson
Taylor Wooten
Charles W. Worrell
Donna Worth
Katherine Wright
Molly Wyss
Monica Yane
Vickie Yaser
Elaine Yaw
Anne Young
David Yount
Sylva Zhang
Kathy Zoppi
Sponsors
ClusterTruck
Eiteljorg Museum
Ice Miller, LLP
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership
Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Silver in the City
The Mind Trust
United Way of Central Indiana
What’s Next
At the very beginning of this community impact report, board chair Karen Ferguson Fuson encouraged you to read on. Now that you have, I hope you are as inspired as we are.
Free Press Indiana is a community change organization that uses news, information and fantastic storytelling to help us all see our neighbors better and to help them live better lives.
As you’ve read in this report, our work is based on genuine values that our newsroom staff has embraced. This allowed us to truly live our mission.
We showed our neighbors pathways to improvement in the past year. We created spaces for better conversations among community members and our leaders. Looking forward, creating this kind of civic engagement will allow us as a state to be the best version of ourselves possible. It will allow us to understand and consider our varied points of view to make the best decisions possible.
Now this report ends with good news. We are adding more journalism in 2025.
We know there are more neighborhoods in need of our work in Indianapolis. We know that across the state, smaller communities do not feel represented in the news, nor in the decision-making conversations that impact their quality of life.
The Mirror Indy team will hire a reporter to cover Indianapolis’ south side, an area in critical need of more news. Also, we are adding a photojournalist to Mirror Indy’s newsroom staff because we understand that reporting more and more is a visual form, particularly on social media. Finally, we are identifying the most-needed topic coverage across small-town Indiana as we explore expansion into our state’s large rural news desert where more than 2 million people live.
Thank you for believing in our work. Thank you for helping us envision a more connected, healthier, happier and better Indiana.
Bro Krift CEO, Free Press Indiana
The Amplifier
2024 Community Impact Report