Community Foundation of Southern Indiana Releases 2025 Update on Community Priorities

The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana (CFSI) has released its latest report, Priorities for Progress in Southern Indiana: 2025 Update, offering an important snapshot of community needs and opportunities in Clark and Floyd counties. This is the third iteration of the report, following similar assessments in 2015 and 2020, and the first to take stock of community priorities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new study, which was produced by the Indiana University Southeast Applied Research and Education Center, highlights what residents say matters most to working families in Southern Indiana, with input gathered through listening sessions, gallery walks, and nearly 500 community surveys. Building on the 2020 Priorities for Progress: Assets and Aspirations in Southern Indiana, this update identifies shared challenges and opportunities while also examining how community needs have shifted since the pandemic.

Among the key takeaways:

• Housing affordability remains a pressing issue. Residents consistently identified the cost of housing as one of the most significant barriers to stability.
• Education and workforce development are top of mind. Community members emphasized the importance of preparing the next generation for success in a changing economy.
• Youth development continues to be a priority. Many families voiced concern for young people’s access to safe spaces, mentorship, and opportunities.
• Basic needs and health matter. Food security, affordable healthcare, and support for aging residents were also cited as ongoing concerns.