For the last 16 years, IndyHub’s IndyVolved has brought together hundreds of non-profits, community organizations, and young professional groups to connect and engage with the city’s doers and change makers – the thousands of 20- and 30-somethings that will serve as future volunteers, board members, champions and donors.
And now, after a year away from the electricity of the city’s premier volunteer event, we’ll be back in person for IndyVolved 16 presented by AES Indiana Tuesday, October 12 at Victory Field, showcasing the many ways that Indianapolis’ young leaders can get connected, get involved, and shape our city. Exhibitor applications are now open, and I am here to share why you should get your application in and be a part of this year’s event:
- Showcase your mission and recruit volunteers: IndyVolved is a place for all young leaders whether they are just getting started on their civic journey or they are a pro-volunteer. Engage with a diverse crowd of change agents who are looking to plug in and find their civic match.
- Experience a new location: What started as an opportunity for summer interns to engage with about 20 community partners at The Murat has grown into a Indy’s largest civic engagement event, featuring over 100 nonprofit partners and over 2,000 attendees. This year’s event will take place at Victory Field, providing exhibitors with more space and equal access to meet and connect with attendees.
- Connect with college students: As we work to showcase Indy as a great place to live, work, play and make an impact, we will be making an important change this year – moving IndyVolved to the fall, with special attention being paid to engaging area college students.
- Make an impact on Indy’s robust civic ecosystem: Nonprofits are the heart and soul of this event and the reason why we gather each and every year. Continue to build your organization’s legacy to serve and protect our city’s most vulnerable populations by building and expanding your volunteer network.
- #DoGoodOften: It’s no secret that Indy’s 20-and 30-something’s are ready to make transformational change. Nonprofit organizations and community partners can create meaningful connections that inspire our community lead as change agents beyond this one-day event.
As an Indianapolis transplant, I can speak first hand on how this event has impacted my growth and development as a professional and volunteer. I arrived in Indy in June of 2018. I was overwhelmed and nervous about making new connections in the city. I was invited to IndyVolved by some friends I had met that were plugged into Girls Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. I had one intention going into this event: to leave with a sense of belonging. As a new resident of Indy, I wanted to do everything I could to get to know our neighborhoods and give back in the best way possible.
The atmosphere at IndyVolved is hard to describe, as so many change makers from around Indianapolis were sharing stories of the incredible communities they serve. I remember wishing I could volunteer full time since there were so many organizations I wanted to support. My calendar was filled with volunteer opportunities, board meeting networking events, and coffee meetings at local shops around the city. Although I had quickly found my passion as a Big Brother, there were still plenty of roles that needed change makers to fill. That sense of belonging I was searching for turned into a passion for helping other residents make authentic connections to the neighborhoods they live in. This all began with exhibitors who were willing to connect.
I truly hope you’ll join us at IndyVolved 16 presented by AES Indiana. There are hundreds of residents who have participated virtually in IndyHub events eager to meet the incredible community and non-profit partners for in-person (and virtual) opportunities to support you. And I’m not the only one that feels this way! Check out what past exhibitors have to say about their IndyVolved experience.
500 FESTIVAL: “As a non-profit community organization, the 500 Festival relies on a dedicated team of thousands of volunteers to ensure events and programs continue to enrich the lives of half a million people every year. The 500 Festival cherishes IndyVolved and events similar to this premier volunteer event, as it showcases ways for Indianapolis’ young leaders to serve in the community, volunteer their time, and to ultimately make a difference throughout the city.”
TEENWORKS: “IndyVolved gives thousands of young professionals access to in-person connections with hundreds of non-profit organizations in the city. By providing this opportunity, IndyVolved is helping to fill the gap of the needs of non-profits with the resources that these young professionals have. This connectivity is solving issues and making our city a better place to live.”
FAIR HOUSING CENTER OF CENTRAL INDIANA: “Having the opportunity to share the FHCCI’s mission of ensuring equal housing opportunities for all Hoosiers has been an incredible experience for a small nonprofit like ours. Education is a vital component to our work and it’s events like IndyVolved that allows us to gain important exposure and reach audiences we might not normally reach outside of this event.”
If you are interested in exhibiting at this year’s event, please complete the 2021 Exhibitor Application. Applications are due Thursday, July 1 at 5:00 pm. Please reach out to getindyvolved@indyhub.org with any questions or concerns.
Meet Rico, IndyVolved Exhibitor Coordinator:
Rico Francis is an Indy transplant who grew up just outside of Washington D.C. He is a student and teacher advocate that works as a Senior Manager for Consulting at TNTP; he’s passionate about diversifying the teacher workforce and collaborating with communities to support youth development. Rico also serves as a youth mentor (Big) at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana.
