Many professionals working and volunteering in not-for-profit organizations find it invaluable to gain knowledge of the law and how it intersects with their entity’s efforts. You don’t need a law degree to gain that skill set. Leaders at many Central Indiana nonprofits, who are graduates of or current students in the Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) program at IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law, shared their insights into how the program has helped them in their positions.

Aura Day, who is on track to graduate in May 2021, volunteers through Families First on the crisis and suicide prevention hotline as a crisis intervention specialist. Day said she is gratified by the immediate impact the organization has on people’s lives.

“Everyone needs support and assistance during different points in their lifetime and being able to support others is not only self-rewarding but it inspires others in many ways,” Day said. “Some people need to hear it’s OK to accept assistance. I believe we aren’t supposed to do life solo. It’s really a way we can start seeing how a small gesture grows into a making a huge impact to our neighbors.” Day said the flexibility of the M.J. program held a lot of appeal because she was able to tailor the coursework to align with her specific interests and to choose from day, evening, or a combination of class times to fit into her schedule.

Arun Murali serves as President of the Board of Directors for Lawrence Township School Foundation and is on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House of Central Indiana. The 2017 M.J. graduate was drawn to IU McKinney from a desire to learn more about the legal processes that affected his business and to potentially position himself for future board member roles. Murali is passionate about not-for-profits that help people in need and in particular ones that focus on children’s needs. “I think this is an important time for non-profits in the history of the world,” Murali said. “I believe when most people hear ‘non-profit,’ they hear ‘please donate money.’ And while that is an important part of the dynamic there is so much more to it, like organizational leadership, financial management, marketing, volunteering, and more.”

Eddie Rivers, a 2017 M.J. graduate, has worked as a guardian ad litem for more than 20 years and has served many child advocacy organizations. Rivers currently is the chief development officer at Kid’s Voice of Indiana, after serving as its chief executive officer for 15 years. While he already had the skill set needed to work at the organization, Rivers wanted to understand law so that he could better manage the team of lawyers he supervised. “I ran a law firm with only managerial skills and a big heart,” Rivers said. The M.J. program allowed him to focus his coursework on child and family law so he could better understand what the lawyers he worked with were up against in their work at Kids’ Voice.

Hamilton County Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling $98,500 to eight nonprofits who align with the foundation’s community leadership initiatives: mental health, family and youth empowerment, and inclusive economic growth. See recipients

The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation has awarded Conexus Indiana a $350,000 grant to train and place Marion County residents in advanced manufacturing jobs. The funding will support Catapult Indiana, a Conexus program that offers a 160-hour advanced manufacturing training program. Read

The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal for operators of venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theaters trying to remain viable. Learn

Council District Crime Prevention Grants Program, a new program administered by The Indianapolis Foundation, will support new or existing projects, services, and programs that show potential to reduce crime in Marion County. Apply

Foster Success announced plans to launch a new college readiness program in Lake County. The Fostering Higher Education Program is designed to guide young people in foster care as they transition from high school into college.

The Indiana Bar Foundation has launched an effort to bring mock trial programs to more Indiana high schools. The mock trial diversity initiative is designed to eliminate financial barriers for schools to participate and provide them with legal advisors and mentors. Read

Recently hired or promoted a team member at your Central Indiana nonprofit? Announce it in the weekly Not-for-profit News.

FIRST Indiana Robotics is seeking pitch competition judges on May 12 at 4 p.m. for its first pitch competition. High school robotics students will give 5-minute pitches for their business ideas. Judges will then choose the top 3 entries. The virtual event requires a 5-hour volunteer commitment. Chris Osborne cosborne@indianafirst.org or (317) 748-6427.