“I will urge that our purpose be bold, that if we err, we err on the side of action, of movement, of  experiment. And that our aim be high.”

-Mitch Daniels Jr. 

The Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation strives to enable leaders and drive change in Indiana, just as Mitch Daniels did as the state’s 49th Governor. The vision for MDLF is to develop a statewide network of change agents, actively working to make Indiana the best place to build a future. We rely on gifts from generous donors to continue investing in leaders across Indiana. MDLF is a  registered 501 (c)(3) and gifts are tax-deductible. To contribute by check, make checks payable to the  Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation and mail to 880 West Monon Green Blvd. #101 Carmel IN 46032 or donate via PayPal here.

We are grateful to these donors who have supported our current 75th Birthday Campaign honoring our namesake, Mitch Daniels, and his milestone birthday:

Albert Chen, J. A.Lacy, Al Hubbard, John Lechleiter, Scott Whitlock, Fred & Suzie, Fehsenfeld, Tom Reilly, Mike & Sue Smith, Harry & Lucy Gonso, Jim & Jackie Morris, Earl & Vikie Goode, Dave & Anne Shane, David and Robin Miner Giving Fund, Kenzie Anders, Chloe Anagnos Pierce, Rupal Thanawala, Anthony Katz, Matt &Kaitlin Whiteside, Mike & Carrie Langellier, Charles Buddeke, Jay & Beth Wasson, Chad & Rebecca Gilliam Fund Sarah Mangan, Greg Larkin, Daniel Baker, Thomas & Patty Hefner, James Bullard, Judy Singleton, Brian McGrath, Betsy Wiley, Ackerman Family Foundation, John Krauss, Michael Alley

2024 INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

MDLF ANNUAL EVENT 

Join us in 2024 for the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation Annual Event, an evening of networking, inspiration and celebration (exact date forthcoming)! This networking reception event will include nearly 400 Hoosier leaders from across the state including MDLF Fellows, members and donors. The program will include remarks from Mitch Daniels and we will recognize our 2024 Daniels Prize Award Winner, Outstanding MDLF Fellow and Driving Change Award winner. Attendees will become more familiar with our mission of “Enable Leaders. Drive Change.", hear the success and impact of our programs, meet other dynamic leaders and learn about ways to get more engaged.

• Presenting  Sponsorship: $20,000 (1 Available)

• 20  General Admission Tickets

• All 20 attendees will be included in a VIP private reception with Mitch Daniels

• 2 people to attend private dinner gathering with Mitch Daniels

• 1 person to provide program welcoming remarks

• Designated seating area in front for program

• Logo on onsite marketing materials

• Logo on electronic signage at the event

• Recognized from the stage

• Included in press releases + event registration + announcements 

• Major Moves Sponsorship: $10,000

• 15 General Admission Tickets

• 4 of the General Admission attendees to be included in a VIP private reception with Mitch Daniels

• Designated seating area in front for program

• 1 person to attend private dinner gathering with Mitch Daniels

• Logo on onsite marketing materials

• Logo on electronic signage at the event

• Recognized from the stage

• Aiming Higher Sponsorship: $5,000

• 10 General Admission Tickets

• 2 of the General Admission attendees to be included in a VIP private reception with Mitch Daniels

• Logo on onsite marketing materials

• Logo on electronic signage at the event

• Contributing Sponsorship: $2,500

• 4 General Admission Tickets

• 2 of the General Admission attendees to be included in a VIP private reception with Mitch Daniels

• Logo on onsite marketing materials

• Logo on electronic signage at the event

AIMING HIGHER EVENT SERIES

The purpose of the Aiming Higher Series is to meaningfully activate, bring together and network, the MDLF Membership at least twice a year around topics, discussions and panels related to leadership. The event will typically be 5-6:30pm at a predetermined location and will include appetizers, open bar and approximately 45 minutes of content and a focus on networking. MDLF anticipates approximately 75 guests at each event inclusive of  MDLF Fellows, Board Members, Smart Network Members, donors and sponsor invites.

Presenting Sponsorship for One (1) Aiming Higher Event $5,000

• Promotion as Presenting Sponsor on all event marketing materials

• Invitation for twenty (20) guests to one Aiming Higher event

• 2-3 minutes of welcoming remarks provided by one (1) designated sponsor executive or the opportunity to moderate the panel

• Opportunity to have an information booth at the event

• Contact list for all event attendees

Underwriting Sponsorship for One (1) Aiming Higher Event $3,000

• Promotion as Underwriting Sponsor on all event marketing materials

• Invitation for ten (10) guests to one Aiming Higher event

• Opportunity to have an information booth at the event

• Contact list for all event attendees

MDLF FELLOWSHIP CURRICULUM SPONSOR

Our flagship program, the MDLF Fellowship. is a highly selective, statewide, two-year program of intense study. 125 Hoosiers from 23 counties have participated in six Classes of the Fellowship since 2016. We are proud to offer the program at no cost to participants. During the curriculum, Fellows learn about Indiana’s health and education outcomes, key economic drivers, meaningful civic engagement opportunities and also study how principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility and the importance of private enterprise uplift individuals and help strengthen the state. Each Fellow is also required to prepare, pitch and pursue a Capstone project as they actively work to improve their own communities. Fellows meet monthly during Year 1, and quarterly during Year 2 of the Fellowship. 

Presenting Sponsorship for a Class Series (3 Classes) $30,000

• Choose from one of three series: State of Indiana’s Economy, Education or Healthcare

• Promotion as Presenting Sponsor on all Class Series marketing materials 

• Option to host a class day at the Sponsor's office/facility. To host a class day onsite, please inquire to MDLF staff to see availability.

• 2-3 minutes of welcoming remarks provided by one (1) designated sponsor executive or the opportunity to moderate the panel during one class day

• Opportunity to have an information table at one class day with marketing materials

• 2 people to attend private dinner gathering with Mitch Daniels

• Contact list for all Fellows

Presenting Sponsorship for One (1) Class Day $10,000

• Choose from one of three specific Class Days including:

• Studying the State of Indiana’s Economy, Education, Healthcare (Lecture Class, Case Study or Liberty Fund Discussion)

• Civil Society, Free Speech & Leadership Lecture Class

• Capstone Day

• Promotion as Presenting Sponsor on all Class Day marketing materials 

• Option to host a class day at the Sponsor's office/facility. To host a class day onsite, please inquire to MDLF staff to see availability.

• 2-3 minutes of welcoming remarks provided by one (1) designated sponsor executive

• Opportunity to have an information table at one class day with marketing materials

• 1 person to attend private dinner gathering with Mitch Daniels

FUND A FELLOW PROGRAM $7,500 

One of the strengths of the MDLF program is the intentional effort to create diverse classes of Fellows and as of 2023, 125 Hoosiers from 23 Indiana counties have participated.. MDLF Fellows come from across the state and represent a variety of backgrounds, professions and aspirations. One way we do this is by making the program free, thus eliminating any financial barriers that may prevent talented individuals from participating.

The cost to operate the program per Fellow over the two-year program is $7,500. You or your organization can play a role in making the program accessible to all who are interested by joining MDLF’s Fund a Fellow Program. 

We would like to invite you to become an MDLF partner by contributing $7,500 to fully fund a Fellowship position. Your contribution will go entirely to support the cost of a Fellow. Fund a Fellow partners will not support a particular individual but rather a Fellowship position and will be recognized on the MDLF website and in materials created throughout the two-year class.

INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Leadership Society: Gifts of $10,000+ 

• Invitation to a small, private dinner with Mitch Daniels  

• 2 VIP tickets to the MDLF Annual Event

• Invitation to Aiming Higher events and chance to directly interact with current and prior MDLF Fellows and Board Members

• Designation on the MDLF website

• Monthly email updates about the organization 

Major Moves Club: Gifts from $2,500

• 2 VIP tickets to the MDLF Annual Event

• Invitation to Aiming Higher events and chance to directly interact with current and prior MDLF Fellows and Board Members

• Designation on the MDLF website

• Monthly email updates about the organization 

Aiming Higher Initiative: Gifts up to $1,000

• 1 VIP ticket to the MDLF Annual Event

• Invitation to Aiming Higher events and chance to directly interact with current and prior MDLF Fellows and Board Members

• Designation on the MDLF website

• Monthly email updates about the organization 

MDLF Fellows Alumni Society: $250

• 1 General Admission ticket to the MDLF Annual Event

• Invitation to Aiming Higher events and chance to directly interact with current and prior MDLF Fellows and Board Members

• Designation on the MDLF website

• Monthly email updates about the organization