As a wise colleague once told me years ago, philanthropy is a team sport. More hands-on deck means more money raised. Makes sense.

It’s fair to expect every board member to be involved in fundraising and be accountable for their part. But too often staff try to do it alone. Or board members may be hesitant to join in for a variety of reasons.

Here’s the thing: When you equip boards to confidently participate in your year-end efforts, the results can be amazing. Their voices and connections amplify your work and lead to even greater mission impact during the time of year when most philanthropy occurs.

But where to start? Here are three ways your board members can participate in order to achieve best results.

Imagine if you empowered the board to review last year’s data with you and be part of the goal setting.

It’s no secret that finding skilled people in today’s job market is like searching for a four-leaf clover or a needle in a haystack. We have entered a time where there are jobs, jobs, jobs, but not enough skilled workers to fully staff our organizations. If our experiences today haven’t taught us the value of the people we have, I don’t know what other lesson will.

Organizations have quickly learned that investing in their people is one of the only ways to fill job vacancies that require a higher level of capabilities with the right people — people that already know the business, understand the culture, and in most cases want to be at work. So why not look at these workers as prime candidates for other positions within the organization? Insert upskilling here.

Upskilling is the new buzzword for teaching workers new skills to bridge skills gaps. It focuses on continuous learning by providing training programs and development opportunities to grow employees’ abilities, ultimately lessening skill gaps that slow down the achievement of organizational objectives.

The great thing about upskilling is that it looks at people’s current skills and helps them improve, expand, and grow those skills. It helps people advance in their jobs and find different roles and opportunities within the company.

So how do we upskill? Great question! Here’s how to take action:

Identify skill gaps. The first step is to identify skill gaps that exist with workers, within job groupings, within departments, etc. This will help you ensure alignment with needs.

Episode 15: Nonprofit Trends and Talent - Purple Ink partnership with Charitable Advisors

Join Bryan as he speaks with JoDee Curtis, President of Purple Ink, a local HR consulting firm that is partnering with Charitable Advisors to bring a broader range of talent solutions to central Indiana nonprofits. Bryan and JoDee review the results from the Spring 2022 Nonprofit Staff Check-in Survey and specifically discuss DEI, Staff retention, and Hybrid work. Listen

Lilly Endowment Inc. and the state of Indiana have announced a $111 million investment in literacy, with the goal of having 95 percent of Indiana students pass the IREAD-3 exam by 2027. The funds will be used for instructional coaches, teacher stipends for professional development, and the development of a literacy center. Read more

United Way of Central Indiana has announced awards totaling $8 million to 29 organizations from its Family Opportunity Fund. The fund is meant to help improve the education, financial stability, and overall health and well-being of families. See the recipients.

The International Center has selected 20 participants for the third annual James T. Morris Global Leadership Series, a five-month professional development program for Hoosiers who demonstrate business or civic leadership with a global component. See participants

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has announced plans to give more than $50 million in grants through its Community Catalyst Grant program to provide better access to mental health prevention and enhanced services throughout the state. Learn more

The NBA All-Star Legacy grants has opened three additional grants of up to $50,000 each to fund brick-and-mortar capital improvement projects at youth-serving nonprofits in Indiana that focus on health and wellness or education. Apply by Sept. 30

IndyGo is receiving a $33 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration to support the construction of a new garage at its East Campus headquarters in Indianapolis. Learn more

United Way of Central Indiana is hosting a meet-and-greet Aug. 25 from 4-5 p.m. to introduce its new president and CEO, Fred Payne. The event is at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, 1635 W. Michigan St. RSVP

Frame the problem webinar on Sept. 15 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Before you can begin using data to inform decisions, identify what you are trying to accomplish and determine how data can help you. Presented by SAVI Data Literacy. Cost: Free. Register

2022 Philanthropy Leads conference on Sept. 27-29 at Westin Indianapolis. Presented by Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Cost: $375 IPA members/$675 nonmembers. Register

2022 NAMI Indiana State conference on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Marriott Indianapolis North. The conference will highlight the youth mental health crisis, and explore ideas on navigating mental health in various stages and for different demographics. Cost: $70-$90. Register

Indiana Youth Institute Kids Count conference on Nov. 1-2 at Marriott Indianapolis Downtown. Gain insights on innovative trainings, practical resources from national experts, and best practice models from nonprofit programs aimed at increasing the well-being of all children. Cost: Early bird registration $180 until Aug. 26. Scholarships information and registration

RightFit after-school program needs volunteers to help on weekdays from 3-6 p.m. Volunteers will support elementary students in various areas, including physical education, health, homework, and social learning, etc. Contact Jamie Johnson to learn more.

Meals on Wheels Pantry Services needs volunteers, including individuals and groups up to 20, to assemble pantry boxes. Contact Hope Steel for more information and to sign up.

Heart and Soul Clinic in Westfield is seeking candidates for board positions that will be open January 2023. Heart and Soul Clinic provides free medical, dental and mental health care to individuals who are uninsured in Central Indiana. Contact Lisa to learn more.

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.

President & CEO - United Way of Monroe County

President & Chief Executive Officer - ADEC