Donations & Memberships

2023 Impact Report

Thanks to support from our donors, Friends of the White River’s programs had an incredibly successful year.

Administrative & Fundraising

• Created a 5 year strategic growth plan
• Quadrupled grant funding from $30,000 in 2022 to $120,000 in 2023
• Increased staffing from one 1099 independent contractor to four full time W-2 employees (1 Executive Director and 3 Program Directors)
• Advocacy at the Indiana Statehouse with the Indiana Conservation Alliance, helping to secure appropriations of $10 million for land acquisition, $6.8 million for Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and $2.8 million for Lake and River Enhancement grants
• The creation of a new website focused on increasing charitable donations and sales of River School
• Recruitment of six new board members to fill current and pending vacancies 

Environmental Justice Program

• 5 Indy Water Connection Camp program days (385 contact hours)
• 106 volunteers participated in the removal of 50 tons of illegally dumped solid waste at the Downtown White River Cleanup, partnered with Citizens Energy Group, Indy DPW, and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.
• 2 Waterway Cleanups with our partners at Franks Paddlesports Livery,  supported by 39 FOWR and Frank’s Staff members, board members, and volunteers.

Outdoor Education Program

• 27 River School outdoor education field days with 250 participants (1,100 contact hours)
• 3 Volunteer Training program days with 33 participants (264 contact hours)
• The creation of an on-water outdoor education and naturalist curriculum, as well as volunteer guide leadership slates

Watershed Restoration Program

• Organized municipal officials, landowners, engineering firms, and dam removal consultants to plan low head dam removals along the West Fork of the White River
• Secured a $100,000 legacy gift for riparian habitat restoration along the White River in the heart of Indianapolis
• 4 Stream Stewards landowner Workshops with 39 participants (117 contact hours)