(As nonprofits seek ways to encourage employee retention, enhance recruitment and minimize burn out, Not-for-profit News explores the benefits of Lilly Endowment’s renewal grant programs in this second part of a two-part series. Read Part 1) 

What would you do with $10,000? How would you rekindle your passion?

Those are the types of questions posed by the Indy Arts Council to applicants of its Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship Program, an initiative funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc., to ensure that artists and art administrators have an opportunity to replenish and reignite their creativity.

For one applicant, the answer to that question resulted in her traveling to Nigeria, recalled Nikki Kirk, director of community investment for the Indy Arts Council.

“As a dance teacher, she had been teaching various African dances but had never been to Africa,” said Kirk, who oversees the arts fellowship program. 

“While in Africa, she took three classes a day, learning from the folks who are from the region where it started. It re-energized her teaching by allowing her to really get to the heart of what the dance form is all about.”

Jean Luc Howell, director of historic preservation at Newfields, used part of his renewal grant funds to travel with his girlfriend during an extended road trip. Along the way, they visited historic destinations, including the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., the Winterthur Museum in Winterthur, Delaware, and Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio. In addition to exploring the historical sites, Howell made wax rubbings of interesting manhole covers he came across.

The award came at a time when nonprofit organizations are under intense pressure to come up with new ways to attract visitors, Howell said.

“Having a break was phenomenal, especially now,” said Howell, noting that many organizations operate on a year-round schedule to remain competitive. “We don’t have quiet times like we may have had in previous years, where you can take a breath, clean your office and catch up on other things.”

by Paula Hume, director, and Lynn Meiser, tax manager, Barnes Dennig

Filing a Form 990 is one of those tasks that all non-profits must complete. Yet, there are a surprising number of common and not-so-common tips that non-profit leaders can take to make the filing process easier and more beneficial to your organization.

In this blog and accompanying video, we break down the top tax-filing tips for a smooth 990 – and the surprising opportunity to tell your organization’s story.

First of all, what are the filing requirements?

Unless the organization is classified by the IRS as a school, a church, or a governmental unit, all non-profits are required to file an annual return. The requirements are based on revenue, so if the organization’s gross receipts are $200,000 or more, or the organization has more than $500,000 in assets, they are required to file the full form 990. For smaller organizations with gross receipts of less than $200,000 or less than $500,000 in assets, there’s the shorter 990 E-Z. And then, the 990-N, which is a simple postcard, is for organizations who normally have less than $50,000 in gross receipts.

The 990 series are due on the 15th day of the fifth month following the organization's year end (e.g., if the organization’s calendar year ends Dec. 31, their filing date would be May 15).

If the organization doesn't file a return for three years consecutively, the IRS will revoke the tax-exempt status, so filing is critical. The IRS also requires all exempt organizations to electronically file their tax returns now for any year beginning after July 1, 2019.

Episode 12: Join Bryan Orander as he speaks with Holly Wheeler, executive director of Indiana Family to Family, about what it took to merge Family Voices Indiana and About Special Kids. During a two-year period, the board and staff members discussed mission and programming, and, along the way, learned to build trust in an effort to find the right path to better serve families. Listen

Applications are open for a recognition program that celebrates innovation. The Arago Honors by The Meridian Foundation awards $10,000 in unrestricted funds to nonprofits that demonstrate a history of creatively solving problems and enacting community change. Applications are due Aug. 15. Learn more

United Way of Central Indiana has announced it will distribute more than $1.4 million in funding to 12 community organizations that are part of the Center for Working Families network, which helps individuals and families get on a path to financial stability. Read

Nonprofit organizations seeking interns are invited to join the IUPUI Intern Fair on Sept. 20, 1-4 p.m., at the IUPUI Campus Center. Employers can recruit students from a variety of majors and levels of experience to fit their intern needs. The registration fee for nonprofits is $150. Learn more

Glick Philanthropies has announced grants totaling more than $1.87 million to organizations in central Indiana focused on supporting arts and creative expression, advancing education, helping those in need, and promoting self-sufficiency. See the recipients

Is your staff subscribed to the weekly Not-for-profit News? Local happenings, professional development opportunities and the opportunity to recruit volunteers is compiled in one publication. Encourage your team members to subscribe

5 ways your donation page could be failing your donors webinar July 27 at 2 p.m. Learn to create a donation page that is clear, concise and user friendly, and, consequently, increases your nonprofit’s revenue. Presented by Nonprofit Hub. Cost: Free. Register

Next-level tactics: Storytelling for nonprofits webinar Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. Go beyond the concept of nonprofit storytelling by exploring advanced strategies to tell stories that will inspire your donors. Presented by Nonprofit Hub. Cost: Free. Register

Grantmaking 101 interactive course on Aug. 24-25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Indiana State Library, 315 W. Ohio St. Gain a historical overview of philanthropy, review a foundation's governance, and explore emerging trends. Presented by Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Cost: $200 IPA members/$350 nonmembers. Register 

Core responsibilities of nonprofit boards webinar on Sept. 1 from 10-11:30 a.m. Learn the essential accountabilities of the nonprofit board in alignment with leading practices. Presented by Hedges. Cost: $90 for two people from the same nonprofit. Deadline Aug. 28. Register

The Racial Equity Institute’s Groundwater Approach virtual interactive training on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. Examine characteristics of modern-day racial inequity. Presented by The Indianapolis Foundation. Cost: Free. Register

Volunteers are needed to assist with United Way of Central Indiana’s Over the Edge event on Aug. 12. Shifts are 7:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and noon-5 p.m. Various roles are available. Email abbi.garvey@uwci.org with questions.

The Damien Center needs volunteers to help unload, sort, and stock food pantry donation. Volunteers are needed on the third Thursday of each month, through October. Register

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