The Mind Trust receives $125,000 from The Glick Fund to launch Innovation Network Schools within IPS
The Mind Trust has received a $125,000 award from The Glick Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana
Community Foundation (CICF), to advance the Innovation School Fellowship, one of The Mind Trust’s three education
incubators.
The fellowship is a partnership with the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and the City of Indianapolis to help IPS create
high-quality “Innovation Network Schools” within the district. Innovation Network Schools are autonomous public schools
that will operate under a contract with IPS and are exempt from administrative practices and many state regulations,
giving them the autonomy and accountability that are hallmarks of high-performing schools.
One such school, PLA@103, will open this fall on the city’s far eastside, making it the first Innovation Network School to
open in Indiana. PLA was developed as a part of the first round of Innovation School Fellowships. Earlier this year, four
2015 fellowships were awarded to launch three new schools. The Mind Trust will begin accepting applications for the
2016 round of fellowships later this year.
In total, the fellowship plans to launch nine Innovation Network Schools in IPS over the next several years.
“The Glick family has helped make Indianapolis what it is today, and their commitment to improving the quality of life for
all Indianapolis residents knows no bounds,” said David Harris, The Mind Trust founder & CEO. “The Mind Trust will
use this award to directly support educators and entrepreneurs who are designing and launching groundbreaking
schools in Indianapolis and giving students and families even more educational opportunities.”
The $125,000 investment from The Glick Fund will support several aspects of the fellowship, including recruitment and
cultivation efforts in multiple cities; support for fellows, including coaching from experts in school design; and community
engagement support, with an emphasis on engaging parents, students and other neighborhood partners leading up to
school launch.
About The Glick Fund. Established in 1998 by Indianapolis civic and business leaders Eugene and Marilyn Glick, The
Glick Fund is a donor-advised fund of CICF. The Glick Fund also strives to align with CICF’s three broader community
leadership initiatives of: family success, inspiring places and college readiness & success – initiatives aimed at making
central Indiana one of the best places in the nation to live, work and raise a family. To date, The Glick Fund has
awarded more than $55 million in grants to not-for-profit organizations.
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