Brian Payne, President, Central Indiana Community Foundation

Brian Payne is President of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and The Indianapolis Foundation. Since he joined CICF in November 2000, he has worked closely with the boards and staff to develop a five-year strategic and financial plan. This plan primarily focuses on developing assets, better connecting donors with community issues, and directing the foundation’s leadership and financial resources around CICF’s mission: to inspire, support, and practice philanthropy, leadership, and service in our community.

CICF is the result of the 1997 initiative between The Indianapolis Foundation, serving Marion County since 1916, and Legacy Fund Community Foundation, serving Hamilton County since 1991. CICF has nearly $350 million in total assets and makes community grants of over $20 million per year.

Prior to his appointment, Brian was Managing Director of the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) for seven years. The IRT, Indiana’s resident professional theatre, is nationally respected for the quality of its work, its close connection to the community, and its focus on and care in creating a supportive environment for artists. During Brian’s tenure, the IRT grew its audience and significantly increased its community and educational programs. Brian also played a lead role in raising $5 million for capital restoration of the IRT’s historic building and $10 million for its endowment.

Brian has been very involved in the Indianapolis community since he arrived in 1992. He has served as a board member of the Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Association, the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, and the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC).

Brian is also recognized as a leader in the arts community. He served two terms as President and two terms as Vice President of the Indianapolis Consortium of Arts Administrators. During his years as an officer, he played a leadership role in arts advocacy throughout the city. He was a first-round recipient of an Indianapolis Arts Council /Lilly Endowment Creative Renewal Fellowship. His fellowship project involved a month-long study of the Seattle, Washington arts community and how it developed into a nationally-respected arts community. His goal has been to apply the lessons learned in Seattle to continue the progress of our own arts community.

Currently, Brian is one of six appointees to Mayor Bart Peterson’s Cultural Development Commission and is Co-Chair of the Placemaking Committee for the city’s Regional Center Plan 2020. Other community assignments include the United Way Board, the TechPoint, Inc. and TechPoint Foundation Boards, Butler University’s Jordan College of Fine Arts Board of Citizens, and a member of the Cultural Trail Steering Committee. Nationally, he has served on the executive committee of the League of Resident Theatres, chaired the grant panel for the National Theatre Artist Residency Program funded by the Pew Charitable Trust, and currently serves on two community foundation national steering committees.

Brian is a native Californian. Before making his home in Indianapolis, he was Managing Director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz for eight years and worked for various theatre producing organizations in Southern California including the La Jolla Playhouse, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Arts Festival, and UCLA. He received both his Master of Fine Arts degree and Bachelor of Arts from UCLA.

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