CIRCLE CITY FELLOWS

2024 Annual Report

A letter from our Executive Director

Psalm 69:30
Let me shout God’s name with a praising song,
Let me tell God’s greatness in a prayer of thanks.

As we come to the end of 2024, we offer this annual report as a “prayer of thanks.” This report tells of God’s greatness shown to us and through us at Circle City Fellows this year.  We share each fact and story with thanksgiving and awareness that “every good and complete gift is from above,” (James 1) and is a sign to us of the greatness of God. We are dependent on God for all we do, experiencing God’s grace sufficient for all our needs. In 2024, we pursued our vision to participate in God’s mission so that everyone has enough and no one needs to be afraid, and that pursuit was demonstrated by all of our Fellows.They were truly equipped and empowered to integrate their faith in their workplace and beyond.  

Specifically, let me tell of God’s greatness, as a prayer of thanks, through these highlights from 2024:

  • We celebrated our 5th Anniversary as an organization with so many of you on a wonderful night in May, where we enjoyed each other’s company, heard stories of God’s work through CCF, honored our 33 Alumni and 19 Board members from the first 4 years, and commissioned the 11 Fellows and 4 Encore Fellows in our Class of 2024. 

  • The Class of 2024 executed 11 Professional Projects, sharing God’s greatness beyond the bounds of CCF by bringing practical good and change into the workplaces and communities of greater Indianapolis.  

  • We completed our first pilot of the Encore Fellowship with 4 individuals seeking to “finish well” in their post-career adult years.  

  • We welcomed and initiated the new Class of 2025 with 7 Fellows - outstanding young adults committed to participating in God’s mission of love in this world through every aspect of their lives.

  • We demonstrated solid financial stewardship, finishing another year “in the black” through the generosity of our donors, as well as church & business partners, and the integrity of our board and leadership.

  • We brought on new Board members to serve in place of those who rolled off after their seasons with us were complete, and we welcomed a new Board Chair, as our founding Board Chair takes well-deserved time away from leading after 6 years!

  • We were graced with the presence of key city leaders who shared with our Fellows at our Forum Days. Many of these leaders have returned year after year, and we welcomed several new speakers as well

  • We participated in the emerging CityGate Network as a leading Fellows program for other cities to learn from and be connected. This included attending our first national gathering of leaders in faith and work organizations from around the country.

Read this report with all of its highlights of God’s greatness to and through CCF as the “prayer for thanks” that it is for us at Circle City Fellows.  Amen!

With gratitude,

Dr. David A. Bell
Executive Director, Circle City Fellows

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

2024 Highlights

Celebrated 5 years of Circle City Fellows with our Anniversary Event at The Harrison Center for the Arts in May 2024.

2024 Highlights

Commissioned the 11 Fellows of the Class of 2024 in May 2024

This class completed 11 Professional Projects participating in God’s mission through various aspects of God’s reconciling work, contributing in ways that led people to have enough and not need to be afraid.

“Learn of God’s greatness through the professional project of one of our Fellows that ultimately saw the largest single donation of diapers through a diaper drive to the Indiana Diaper Bank because of his work.  When families have diapers, their children can go to daycare.  When their children can go to daycare, they can then go to work.  When they can work, then they can have enough to feed and care for their families and not be afraid that they can’t.”

This class took seriously the invitation to deepen in their formation as followers of Jesus through the fellowship experience.

“When I first connected with CCF as a Fellow in the Class of 2020-2021, my life looked so different than it does now. Four years and one pandemic later, my kids are all in solid “big kid” territory, my job has changed multiple times, and my faith and church life have seen multiple shifts. And despite these changes–or maybe actually because of those changes–the lessons and experiences CCF provides remain as pertinent and transformative as ever. I love working for CCF because this mission is one I can get behind. I can see the tangible ways that what I learned here changed how I approach my work, how I think about God’s mission in the world, and how I choose to engage with what’s happening in Indianapolis.

The fellows CCF attracts are some of the most interesting, curious, thoughtful people I’ve had the honor of knowing, and knowing I play a small role in their faith and vocational journeys is a gift.”

~ Lindsey Cornett, Cohort Co-facilitator & CCF Alum Class of ‘21

2024 Highlights

Completed the first Pilot Encore Fellowship with 4 graduates, as we consider adding this program to our offerings as an organization

What some of our Encore Fellows said about their experience:

“Moving through transitions passively isn’t helpful.  They need intentionality.  This fellowship experience offered the opportunity for that intentionality.  I feel more equipped and thoughtful about an integrated retirement.”  ~ Encore Fellow 2024, Jim Pfeiffer

“This fellowship experience created a scaffolding for how to think about what is next: work, family, leisure, self-care, service, community, novelty.  How will I engage each of these in ways that align with God’s mission?”
~ Encore Fellow 2024, Ken Ney

2024 Highlights

Welcomed the Class of 2025, consisting of 7 new Fellows, in September 2024.

Reasons why our 2025 Fellows wanted to participate in the fellowship:

“I decided to participate in the fellowship because…

  • …I want to connect what I do in my work with my purpose and faith.

  • …I want to grow in community with others that have a Kingdom mindset.

  • …I want to better see and participate in God's mission while working in education.

  • …of the incredible opportunity for fellowship and to practice better integration of my faith with my vocation.

  • …It’s a great opportunity to grow in my profession and to create meaningful connections with others.

2024 Highlights

Welcomed New Board Member

Kimberly Miller
Director of Groups and Classes, College Park Church

Kimberly comes to the Board as an Alumna of our pilot Encore Fellowship in 2023-2024.  Her background is in leadership & talent development in the banking industry, followed by years of service in Admissions at The Oaks Academy. These skills and experience serve her now in her role at College Park Church. We are thrilled to have Kimberly on the Board offering her unique insight as an Alum as well as perspective and gifting from her varied work background.

2024 Highlights

Continued our focus on the flourishing of the city with our Forum Days,
highlighted by outstanding presenters

Speaker List for 2024:

  • The Story of Indy: Land Use & Transit Day

    • Bill and Joanna Taft of LISC and The Harrison Center for the Arts respectively

    • Brad Beaubien of Visit Indy

    • Majority Leader Councilwoman Maggie Lewis

  • Healthcare Day

    • Dr. Dawn Haut, CEO of Eskenazi Health Centers

    • Dr. Dr. Deanna Reinoso, Medical Director, Social Determinants of Health, Eskenazi Health

    • Dr. Ashley Overley, CEO, Eskenazi Mental Health Center

  • Education Day

    • Dr. Aleesia Johnson, Superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools

    • Kelli Marshall, Vice President of Schools, The Mind Trust

  • Public Safety Day

    • Commander Lorenzo Lewis, Northwest District,  Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

    • Anthony Beverly, Executive Director, Stop the Violence Indy

  • Great Places Indy Day - Englewood Neighborhood

    • Tracy Aldrich, Jim Aldrich, and David Price of Englewood Community Development Corporation

“The exposure to civic leadership throughout Indianapolis demonstrated the Shalom that God is interworking through the people of Indianapolis. Although there are many social struggles across our city, there is an active pursuit of love and justice happening before our eyes. The Forum Days not only introduced us to the leaders, but invited us to contribute to love and justice in the midst of pain.” 

~ Braxton Martorano, Class of 2024

2024 Highlights

Served as a Virtual Host site for the
Women, Work, & Calling Conference 2024

A Reflection on Hosting Women, Work, & Calling:

I’m so happy that CCF was able to partner with the Denver Institute and be a virtual host site for Women, Work, & Calling 2024! Every attendee spoke of how valuable the day’s content was. I heard of one person who said she attended reluctantly, not always sure if these sort of events will prove valuable, but was impressed and delighted by what she experienced. WW&C lined up so well with CCF’s priorities (notably, a diverse line-up of speakers). We are living in a time in which women face unique pressures and unprecedented opportunities, and it is good and right for CCF to participate in equipping the women in our city for this time.

~ Lindsey Cornett, Host Emcee for WW&C 2024

OUR VISION & MISSION

VISION

(We exist) To advance and participate in God’s mission in greater Indianapolis so that everyone has enough and no one needs to be afraid.

MISSION

We equip and empower adults to integrate their faith in their workplace and community.

HOW WE WORK

VALUES

Welcoming, Inclusive, Loving, Curious, Christ-Centered

  • We will succeed in our mission by…

    • Nurturing Long Term Relationships to Ensure Organizational Vitality 

      • with Fellows, Alum, Board members, Civic and City Leaders, Donors, Church and Business Partners

    • Cultivating a Diverse Community focused on the Common Good of the City

    • Facilitating a theologically-applied curriculum that inspires the pursuit of cultural change.

PROGRAM

Primary program is a 9-month fellowship consisting of a class of Fellows who meet weekly in cohorts, monthly for Saturday Forums, and quarterly in retreat.  

  • The curriculum is centered around a Reader of 40-50 articles and chapters from books, guiding the Fellows to reflect on their places within God’s missional story through the workplace, seeking the peace of the city.  In addition, the Fellows have an intentional focus on their spiritual formation through engagement in monthly spiritual practices and a focused Personal Formation Plan.  They also put their learning into action with a Professional Development Project focused in their workplace during the spring semester of the fellowship.

LEADERSHIP

  • David Bell

    Executive Director

  • Katherine Bellis

    Board Treasurer

  • Mike Bolinder

    SVP, External Engagement & Chief Innovation Officer

  • Sarah Crosby

    Attorney, Law Office of Sarah Crosby, LLC

  • John Franke

    Theologian in Residence, Second Presbyterian Church

  • Vaughn Laptiste

    Educator, Christel House Indianapolis

  • Kelly Mitchell

    Former Indiana State Treasurer

  • Kimberly Miller

    Director of Groups and Classes, College Park Church

  • Justin Noelle

    Vice President of Software Engineering, OnBoard

  • Ken Ney

    Urologist, Urology of Indiana

  • Jim Seeds

    CEO. Jim Seeds Consulting, LLC

  • James Singell

    Vice President Marketing, Relmada Therapeutics, Inc

 “I think that CCF changed the trajectory of my life. I was lost when it came to seeing my purpose. I was underemployed…but was scared to do what I felt I was being called towards. CCF changed that for me.”
~ Bethany Chatelain, Class of 2021

PARTNERS

CHURCH PARTNERS

BUSINESS PARTNERS

ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS

CityGate Network, an initiative of Denver Institute for Faith & Work (CCF is a CityGate Fellowship)

 FINANCES

Financial Operations Report July 2023- June 2024

  • Our fiscal year runs July to June.  For 2023-2024 we celebrate the following:

    • Over $27,000 invested by three Church Partners

    • Faithful recurring donations from 20+ donors who support CCF on a monthly basis, with over $2,500 invested in our work.

    • Over $90,000 total in donations and investment from partners to support the work of CCF.

    • Meeting Budget through an income surplus, coupled with under-spending, thus ending the year in the black.

Message from Board Chair:
Kelly Mitchell

For more than five years, Circle City Fellows has had a meaningful impact on the lives of our Fellows, their workplaces, and our broader community. As our Fellows grow and develop, so do we—both as a Board and as a nonprofit organization. We are learning together, guided by our hearts and our faith.

This year, our Board—comprising both long-standing and new members—has been focused on strengthening our partnerships and sharing the story of our work. We dedicated time to aligning on priorities, gathering feedback, forming committees, and setting clear, measurable goals. One of our key objectives is to amplify the impact of our work through the continuation of the Encore Fellowship program.

I am deeply grateful for our Board members, volunteers, and, of course, our Fellows—past and present. A special thank you goes to Jim Seeds for his outstanding service to Circle City Fellows from the very beginning. And of course, none of this would be possible without the unwavering leadership of our Executive Director, David Bell.

It is my honor to serve as Chair of Circle City Fellows at this pivotal time of planning and growth. We could not do what we do without your support and participation. From all our hearts, thank you!

MAKE YOUR CONNECTION

FELLOWS

Become a Fellow! Applications are will open for our next class of Fellows in the Spring of 2025.

DONORS

Become a Donor. We rely on the generosity of others to fund our organization.

PARTNERS

Partner with CCF. Business and Churches are needed as partners to continue to grow CCF

ADVOCATES

Become an Advocate. We need your influence to help spread the mission of CCF.

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Psalm 69:30
I will praise God’s name in song
    and glorify him with thanksgiving.