Indiana Chamber Foundation

Since 1981, the Indiana Chamber Foundation has conducted rigorous, data-driven research that informs public policy, business strategy and statewide economic planning. The Foundation’s work provides evidence-based solutions, builds consensus among stakeholders and supports legislative and budget decisions that strengthen Indiana’s economic competitiveness and enhance quality of life for all Hoosiers. The Foundation serves as the state’s only business-oriented research entity, with a clear focus on prioritizing and communicating information that leads to economic growth and prosperity for Hoosiers.

Strategic Priorities

Building a talent pipeline to meet workforce needs
Building a system that prepares all children for economic success
Economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship
Superior infrastructure and energy
Making quality of place strategies a priority
Healthy, prosperous communities and citizens

Indiana Prosperity 2035

Through the Indiana Prosperity 2035 (IP35) vision plan (released August 2023) and new Indiana Prosperity 2035: Summer 2026 Update (released July 2026), the Foundation also provides a long-term roadmap focused on strengthening Indiana’s workforce, business climate, infrastructure systems, innovation capacity and overall community prosperity.

“The Indiana Chamber is at its best when we are bringing people together around big issues and helping turn ideas into action. The IP35 update gives us a clear, shared framework for action. We want Indiana’s business community, in particular, to see where it can lead, where it can partner and where it can help accelerate measurable results.” – Indiana Chamber President/CEO Vanessa Green Sinders

Research Highlights

January 2025, follow-up to conversation at the AI Leadership Summit, Seizing the Economic Power of Artificial Intelligence highlights the tangible benefits to employers and the state in adopting the technology and look at the top industries for adoption
November 2024, phase two of the tax research, Indiana’s Tax System: Actions to Drive Future, which looks at potential opportunities for change and the revenue impacts to Indiana’s state and local tax system
September 2024, phase one of the tax research, Indiana’s Tax System: A Comparative Analysis, examines the state and local tax structure in comparison to neighboring and competitive states
August 2024, the next generation of the original research, Water Policy and Planning in Indiana: A 10-Year Update offers guidance in helping Hoosier planners maintain this imperative resource for the future
January 2024 updated study, School Corporation Size and Student Outcomes, on the impact of school district size and student performance
December 2023 Indiana Prosperity 2035 Report Card, which compares Indiana to other states in key metrics
August 2023, new long-range economic vision plan released: Indiana Prosperity 2035
March 2021 Accelerating Indiana: Vision 2025+ Initiative launched, providing a host of economic recovery and strategic planning initiatives
November 2020 energy study, Powering Indiana’s Economic Future, is a comprehensive look at energy usage and related issues past, present and future
December 2019 update on the groundbreaking water study of five years earlier and the impact it continues to have toward development of a long-term water resources plan
Summer 2019 report goes back 20 years to the original state economic development plan (Economic Vision 2010) and outlines some of the many accomplishments over the past two decades
2019 update to the original Indiana Venture Capital Study (2000) and the evolution of the venture capital investment tax credit
2017 study on the impact school corporation size has on student achievement
2016 work share study that shows the benefits of this program for employees, employers and the state when the next economic downturn hits
Ongoing school counseling research
Annual employer survey on workforce needs and trends

Foundation Investors

We are grateful for all the investors who make this work possible, especially Duke Energy; NIPSCO, a NiSource Company; Vectren, A CenterPoint Energy Company; Indiana Michigan Power; Indiana American Water; the Indiana Energy Association; OneAmerica and Toyota. View full list of investors.

For more information on the Indiana Chamber Foundation, including ways that you can support its work through an outright or planned gift, contact Todd Hurst, Senior VP, Strategic Partnerships & Impact, at thurst@indianachamber.com or (317) 264-6862.