Re-imagining an environmental mission with a lens on equity |
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Keep Indianapolis Beautiful outlines a strategic plan focused on vulnerable neighborhoods |
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by Shari Finnell, editor/writer, Not-for-Profit News
When developing its current strategic plan, team members of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., (KIB) had no intention of overhauling the mission that had served the organization for more than 40 years — making it Indiana’s largest environmental community engagement organization.
Yet, they understood the critical need to advance racial and social equity in the wake of increased awareness about those challenges in recent years, according to KIBI President & CEO Jeremy Kranowitz.
That type of work wasn’t necessarily new to KIB. “We have always looked at parts of the city that needed to improve tree canopy and focused our energy there,” Kranowitz said. “There’s more to do in some parts of the city than in areas like Eagle Creek or Geist.”
After devoting months to shaping its strategic plan, the KIB mapped out a four-page document that clearly outlines a path for further investing in vulnerable neighborhoods. The plan, which includes a commitment to in-depth research and agency-wide awareness about its mission, has given KIB a deeper appreciation for how its environmental mission can positively impact vulnerable neighborhoods in more ways than its founders had originally imagined, according to Kranowitz.
Through new partnerships, research, and projects, KIB is increasingly realizing that the practice of planting trees and creating green spaces has more than aesthetic value, Kranowitz said. These types of environmental projects can enhance well-being and health outcomes as well as contribute to a decrease in criminal activity, he added.
Collaborating on a shared vision
For example, through a partnership with Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), KIB is helping to analyze levels of lead in the soil of underserved communities. As part of the transformation of an abandoned lot into a green space in a Far Eastside neighborhood, KIB and IUPUI will measure the lead content in the soil before and after the development to determine if levels diminished. The project is being funded by a $10,000 grant from CareSource.
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Get inspired to set a vision for your nonprofit |
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by Jan Breiner Frazier, owner/managing member, PlanningPlus
The HISTORY Channel has created a series of excellent documentaries around the topic “The … that Built America,” including “The Men Who Built America” and “The Food That Built America.” The topics primarily center on the 1920’s and beyond with the genius of Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Carnegie and Ford, as well as Hershey, Mars and the Kellogg brothers. And, in case you think only men made the list, Marjorie Post took over the business run by her father, C.W. Post, and further developed it to become General Foods.
While many of these industry leaders used any means possible (especially since most regulations were lax in those days), including implementing actions that would be considered highly unethical by today’s standards, their visions are still awe-inspiring. They were able to grasp and look beyond the current challenges facing them as well as those well into the future.
What can we learn from the stories about these leaders? And what do they tell us about leadership today?
Search “leadership” on Google or whatever search engine you use and you will find a plethora of articles about what makes a good leader. But looking back at the 20’s, these are common characteristics.
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Vision. They saw beyond their immediate environment and envisioned how they could change the world on a large scale.
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High degree of risk taking. They were willing to bet all they had on their envisioned success, even if they stumbled and fell as they built their companies.
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis has promoted Rob Rouse to director of community programs. Previously, Rouse served the organization as area director for Warren Township. |
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis has promoted Juan Ongay to measurement and evaluation specialist. Ongay previously served the organization unit director. |
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Christel House International has promoted Tony Mascari to programs and services specialist. Mascari previously served as administrative services assistant for the organization. |
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Christel House International has hired Revathi Ramanan as strategy, expansion and special projects director for India. Ramanan previously worked with India state governments to strengthen education policies. |
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Hope Academy High School has named Jon Shapiro as director of fundraising and donor relations. Shapiro previously was the director of programs for the Simon Youth Foundation. |
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The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council has hired Jacob Markey as executive director. Markey previously was community relations council assistant director for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. |
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Charitable Advisors’ has launched a new job board. You will see a new look and stay tuned as we share additional capabilities and features in upcoming weeks
Take $75 off on job ads placed through May 20. Coupon code: 75Off
The Junior League of Indianapolis is distributing a total of $30,000 to seven nonprofit organizations as part of its Trust Fund Grant program. Each award recipient will receive $5,000 to support their efforts to serve Marion County children with physical or developmental disabilities. Read more
The Crew's Crew Foundation has awarded Brooke's Place for Grieving Young People a $21,000 grant to support grief education and group programming in partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools over a three-year period. Read more
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works have announced $500,000 in matching grant funds to the Indianapolis Public Transportation Foundation. The matching grant will support IndyGo’s initiatives for safe passage of pedestrians to and from transit stops. Read more
Indiana Campus Compact has changed its name to Community-Engaged Alliance. As part of the rebranding, the Indianapolis nonprofit will continue its mission to advance the field of community-engagement by educating, supporting, and collaborating with partners in higher education. Read more
Deeply Ingrained, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on providing Indianapolis youth and underserved individuals with woodworking opportunities, recently celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The nonprofit uses woodworking to encourage creativity and build skills among participants. Read more
DONATION: Various office desks. Must pick up at The Stutz Building, 212 W. 10th St, #B260, Indianapolis, by May 12. Contact Erin at ecosler@collegementors.org for availability and to schedule a pick-up time. Read more
The nonprofit organization College Mentors for Kids is moving its downtown offices to a new location on May 23. The nonprofit’s new address will be 6081 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46250.
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Strategic partnerships, joint ventures and mergers webinar on April 27 at 1 p.m. Learn the different types of collaboration so you can consider which approach may be right for your nonprofit, and gain insights about the benefits of collaborating with other nonprofits. Presented by Charitable Allies. Cost: Free. Register
Emotional intelligence: Learning when (and when not) to press the pause button on May 6 from 9 a.m.-noon at Johnson County Armory, 325 Minuteman Way, Franklin. Understand the emotional intelligence skills of assertiveness, reality testing and impulse control so you can make the most of every opportunity. Cost: $49/$59 options. Presented by Leadership Johnson County. Register
Smart ways to strengthen your next grant proposal webinar on May 12 at 2 p.m. Learn the do’s and don’ts for crafting successful proposals, how to build a persuasive case for support and convey impact in ways that resonate with program officers. Presented by Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $69.
Women in Leadership Development program from May 17-Oct. 18. This six-month online session will help leaders at all levels maximize their leadership capabilities. The series consists of one-on-one coaching sessions and interactive sessions on the third Tuesday of each month. Cost: $1,850. Presented by Purple Ink. Register
Creating inclusive teams workshop on May 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Johnson County Armory, 325 Minuteman Way, Franklin. Uncover practical steps that you can take to influence inclusion at the individual, team, and organization levels. Cost: $49 / $59 options. Presented by Leadership Johnson County. Register
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Damien Center is recruiting ambassadors for its Dining Out For Life fundraiser on June 16. Ambassadors will make appearances at participating locations to talk to patrons about Damien Center services and encourage diners to donate. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner shifts are available. Register
Volunteers are needed for the Indiana Out-of-School Summit on May 24-25 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville Conference Center, 13700 Conference Center Dr. South, Noblesville. Opportunities range from registration to clean up. Review opportunities
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According to Independent Sector, the hourly worth of volunteering is nearly $30 — up from $27.20 in 2019. Review the report about the value of volunteers’ contributions.
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This resource offers time-tested fundraising tips when it comes to recruitment, orientation, personal giving and culture of nonprofit boards throughout the United States.
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Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.
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FUND DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
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BANKING/
ASSET MANAGEMENT
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Co-working and office spaces are available for nonprofits and small businesses at Nexus Impact Center, near Interstate 465 and N. Michigan Road. Monthly rates start at $393 for micro-offices, $59 for co-working spaces, and $149 for dedicated cubicles. Learn more https://www.nexusimpactcenter.org/coworking |
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CHARITABLE ADVISORS
FEATURED JOB POSTINGS
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For thirty years, Madison County Community Foundation has been a faithful steward and effective conduit for charitable giving. The foundation works with donors to create funds that reflect donors' charitable goals. These generous givers, past and present, have enabled the foundation to provide financial support across all sectors of our communities, including social services, youth, senior citizens, education, recreation, arts, culture, animal welfare, and community development. Madison County Community Foundation has awarded millions of dollars in grants and scholarships since inception, including over $1 million in 2021. Current assets are approximately $30 million.
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Attention: Job Board Conversion in Process
The Charitable Advisors Nonprofit Job Board is going through a conversion this week. Employers will continue to access their applicants on the ExactHire Job site for jobs posted through April 25 and job seekers will be applying on ExactHire to jobs posted through April 25. All active jobs on ExactHire are also visible on the new job board until they expire. Watch for more information coming later this week.
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Development
Administrative/Management/Leadership
Marketing/Communications/Events
Finance
Controller - Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis
Controller - Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County
Data/Research/Informatics
Information Technology
Programs
Facilities
Teaching
Other
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