BFA | Indiana

Across Indiana, business leaders recognize that our state is a better place to be when Hoosiers know, care about, and are invested in how our government works at every level.

Unfortunately, when it comes to even basic metrics of civic engagement, we’re struggling. The 2021 Indiana Civic Health Index ranks our state among the bottom nationally in both voter registration and voter turnout. Nationwide, less than a third of Americans can name all three branches of the federal government.

To help address this critical issue, Business for America, a national nonprofit and nonpartisan organization with expertise in this area, has stepped in to lead the Indiana Business Alliance for Civics, operating under the umbrella of the recently announced Indiana Civics Coalition.

The Indiana Business Alliance for Civics (IBAC) exists to help every Hoosier business — from large corporations to small businesses and solo entrepreneurs — increase civic engagement and improve civic education amongst their workforce and within the communities they serve.

The IBAC is nonpartisan, non-political, and free for any Indiana business, chamber of commerce, or trade association to join, regardless of size. Its members receive assistance and support in three key areas:

• Voter registration of employees. Help members get their employees registered to vote through multiple means by providing best practices and connecting them with nonpartisan partners.
  
• Voter education in the workplace. Supply members a variety of curriculum resources in foundational civics education — including real-time, in person, self-directed — to meet the surging interest from employees.
• Next generation of voters. Provide materials to members who wish to get more involved in the civic education offerings of their local schools and school districts.

‍The Role of Business. Business leaders can play an essential role in addressing Indiana’s civic education gap by stepping outside the partisan fray and promoting constructive bipartisan dialogue. In April 2023, BFA | Indiana co-hosted the Indiana Bar Foundation Civics Summit, including national, regional, state, and local leaders to discuss ways for business to play a role in elevating civic literacy in the Hoosier State. Read some local coverage of the Indiana Business Alliance for Civics and BFA's role in Governing.com.

Join the Indiana Business Alliance for Civics.

Indiana Business Alliance for Civics

The following companies have committed to participate in the Indiana Business Alliance for Civics.

Cummins
Dauby O'Connor & Zaleski
Elanco
Eli Lilly and Company
Emmis Communications
Hotel Tango Distillery
NEXT Studios
Powers & Sons
RecycleForce
Salesforce

Business Signatories

• A&W Travels
  The Abbi Agency
  Arcweb Technologies
  Aspen Skiing Company
  BEAR20
  Bitwise Industries
  Carolina Pet Resort
  Chosen Futures Consulting
  Columbia Books & Information Services
  Cummins
  Dainamic Consulting
  Davis Law Group
  DSher, Inc.
  ECOS
  EPRE Consulting
  Flux Technology Services
  Hannon Armstrong
  HigherRing
  Hims & Hers
  IBM
  IKEA US
  JustLaws
  Kairios
  Key Medium
  Law Office of Lara Pearson
  Logitech
  Lou and Nancy's Workshop
  M1PR
  Martin Sloane International
  Naturepedic
  NextCo Corporation
  Pat Hancock Real Estate
  Patagonia
  PathologyOutlines.com
  Pixel Parlor
  Profitable Purpose Consulting
  RE Source
  REI Co-op
  Rivanna Natural Designs
  Salesforce
  Sherlock Geopolitical Forecasting
  Shifting Patterns Consulting
  Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
  Sonos
  Springhead Social Impact
  Unity Lab
  Washington DC ArchAngels
  YottaDB
  

Business Association Partners

The following business organizations are partners of the Indiana Business Alliance for Civics.

Business Signatories

• A&W Travels
  The Abbi Agency
  Arcweb Technologies
  Aspen Skiing Company
  BEAR20
  Bitwise Industries
  Carolina Pet Resort
  Chosen Futures Consulting
  Columbia Books & Information Services
  Cummins
  Dainamic Consulting
  Davis Law Group
  DSher, Inc.
  ECOS
  EPRE Consulting
  Flux Technology Services
  Hannon Armstrong
  HigherRing
  Hims & Hers
  IBM
  IKEA US
  JustLaws
  Kairios
  Key Medium
  Law Office of Lara Pearson
  Logitech
  Lou and Nancy's Workshop
  M1PR
  Martin Sloane International
  Naturepedic
  NextCo Corporation
  Pat Hancock Real Estate
  Patagonia
  PathologyOutlines.com
  Pixel Parlor
  Profitable Purpose Consulting
  RE Source
  REI Co-op
  Rivanna Natural Designs
  Salesforce
  Sherlock Geopolitical Forecasting
  Shifting Patterns Consulting
  Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
  Sonos
  Springhead Social Impact
  Unity Lab
  Washington DC ArchAngels
  YottaDB
  

Resources

• BFA's Indiana Business Alliance for Civics - 1-pager
• Indiana Bar Foundation • Indiana Civic Health Index and Civic Education Task Force Recommendations
• The Statehouse File, Apr 19, 2023 • Indiana’s inaugural Civics Summit focuses on promoting education, engagement

Get involved with Business for America in Indiana!

Contact BFA’s Indiana State Director Nathan Gotsch.