State of Indiana’s Nonprofits: Survey Reveals How Organizations Are Coping in 2020
|
|
by Shari Finnell, editor, Charitable Advisors
Nearly six months have passed since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Indiana. Since that time, the majority of the state’s nonprofits have faced significant challenges in maintaining services to support their missions, according to Indiana Nonprofits and COVID-19: Impact on Services, Finances and Staffing, a new report released by the Indiana United Ways and the Indiana Nonprofit Sector Project.
Of the 512 nonprofit organizations responding to a survey, 71 percent reported major revenue shortfalls since March 1 due to the pandemic; 60 percent reported suspending or ending programs; 67 percent cancelled a fundraising event; and 23 percent had laid off or furloughed staff. While the percentage of nonprofits reporting staff layoffs and furloughs was relatively low compared to other metrics, 43 percent reported greater demands on existing staff because of an absence of volunteers.
Report co-author Kirsten Grønbjerg, director of the Indiana Nonprofit Sector Project, Distinguished Professor at O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington, said the results were surprising because of the extent of the impact across a significant number of nonprofits. “I don’t think we have ever seen this kind of widespread impact before,” Grønbjerg said. “It’s drastic and intense.”
With previous economic downturns, Grønbjerg said, a portion of nonprofit organizations may have been impacted because of declining revenue. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has left few nonprofits spared, except those that provide essential services.
“Our findings point to an increased need for services that the pandemic itself created. I think the safety net nonprofits play for the community took a beating. How well they’re going to recover is the big question,” she said. “The CARES Act has been an important component in allowing them to continue to operate.” About half of the nonprofit organizations surveyed received loans under the Payroll Protection Plan under the CARES Act.
|
|
Check out our website. We locate the best resources and tools we can find and then add them to our website. More info.
|
|
The Nonprofit Board Chair’s Role in Building Organizational Resiliency
|
|
By Erin Hedges, owner of Hedges
As COVID-19 continues to change everything in our world and our communities, nonprofit organizations have stepped up to fill in the gaps and meet the needs of those who have been impacted. During the early stages of the pandemic, many nonprofit organizations were able to secure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans and receive generous donations from individual donors and philanthropic institutions. These economic boosts enabled nonprofit organizations to increase and expand services to meet the urgent needs in our communities as the pandemic unfolded.
As PPP funding runs out, and donor fatigue settles in, concerns are increasing about the resiliency of nonprofit organizations as they navigate the challenge of fulfilling their missions with such little certainty on the horizon. Strong leadership and strategic thinking at the executive and board levels have never been more important as nonprofits not only strive to sustain through this time, but also build resiliency for the future.
At Hedges, we describe resiliency as an organization’s ability to weather crisis, sharpen focus, adapt to changes in the landscape, and emerge with the capacity to have even greater impact. We believe the responsibility of building resiliency ultimately lies with the board of directors in partnership with executive leadership.
The board chair is central to nonprofit resiliency and has a unique role in leading and influencing others through the COVID-19 crisis. Yet, many are unsure of how and where to focus energies among so many priorities. Here are four areas where board chairs can lead, engage and hold fellow members accountable, and foster organizational resiliency:
|
|
The Indianapolis Opera has named Lyndsay Moy as education and community engagement coordinator. Moy, an alumna of the Indianapolis Opera Resident Artist program, has worked as opera administrator for the Cleveland Institute of Music. — Inside Indiana Business
|
|
Christian Theological Seminary has hired Ayanna Garrett as associate dean of student life. Garrett previously served as associate director of recruitment at Chicago Theological Seminary, where she worked for more than seven years. — Inside Indiana Business
|
|
Indiana Donor Network has named Elliott Stubblefield as multicultural community development coordinator. Stubblefield previously served as the Indiana district director for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. — Indiana Journal of Business
|
|
The NCAA has named Derrick Gragg senior vice president for inclusion, education and community engagement. Gragg, who currently serves as vice president and director of athletics at the University of Tulsa, starts the new position in October. — Inside Indiana Business
|
|
The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust has granted $75,000 to Visually Impaired Preschool Services to support the nonprofit agency’s efforts to provide critical early intervention services to young children in Central Indiana who are blind or visually impaired. Learn more
A collaborative endowment-building initiative, which includes 13 Jewish organizations and congregations, recently reached $1 billion in legacy commitments, including $32 million in Indianapolis. The Jewish Federation’s and Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY initiative provides future financial stability to support the community. Learn more
Clothing with a Cause, a Carmel clothing store created with a focus on charities, donates its proceeds to various charities. During the month of August, donations are earmarked for Paws and Think, a nonprofit that helps people through pet therapy. Learn more
Youth Connections has requested donations of furniture for its expanded office space, including chairs. a round conference table that seats 8 to 12 people, white boards, training tables and stacking chairs. To donate, contact Judy Olds judy@youthconnections.org or call 317-738-3273.
COVID-19 awards
ProAct Indy has used a $35,000 COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund from United Way of Central Indiana to retrofit its 28-passenger bus. The bus has been converted into a mobile food pantry to address the community’s needs around food insecurity.
|
|
Subscription giving: The new recurring giving model for today’s donors webinar on Aug. 27 at 1:00 p.m. Network for Good hosts this session on the advantages of Subscription Giving℠ and how it differs from traditional giving. Hosted by Network for Good. Cost: free. Register
Leverage your nonprofit profile to achieve funding success this giving season webinar on Sept. 9 at 2:00 p.m. Join this Candid webinar on how to optimize your GuideStar Nonprofit Profile to reach millions of potential donors. Cost: free. Register
Understand the roots of racism: Food insecurity webinar on Sept. 16 from 5:00-6:15 p.m. United Way of Central Indiana hosts this webinar on racial inequities, which highlights data related to disproportionate levels of hunger and food deserts in African-American communities. Cost: free. Register
|
|
Every great leader is a coach (and mentor!) webinar on Oct. 18, from 8:30-10:00 p.m. Improve your leadership effectiveness by developing better coaching skills. This session, hosted by Charitable Advisors’ HR Peer Group, is open to anyone who wants to improve their coaching techniques. Cost: free.
|
|
Storytelling Arts of Indiana is seeking a board member with financial expertise, such as an accountant or CPA, to serve on its board for the 2020-21 season. Board terms are three years with approximately a 3-hour monthly commitment. To apply or learn more, contact Ellen Munds ellen@storytellingarts.org
Indy Hunger Network has requested volunteers to serve as food drop donations coordinators. Volunteers, who will work two to three hours a week, will receive phone calls from truck drivers and dispatchers and coordinate delivery arrangements for nearby food banks or warehouses. Contact Hannah Hurt at hhurt@indyhunger.org or (615) 707-1913.
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana seeks social media-savvy volunteers to join its first virtual mission ambassador program. Volunteers will spread awareness and become leaders in the fight against hunger. For more information, visit gleaners.org/volunteer.
|
|
Not quite a merger: An odd nonprofit partnership blooms. Two arts organizations based in St. Paul, Minn., have developed a model for how nonprofits can combine forces. SteppingStone Theater has moved into the space owned by Park Square Theater. Both will share an executive director for their operations.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
FUND DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
|
|
|
|
|
BANKING/
ASSET MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEETING ROOM OR EVENT SPACE
|
|
|
Reserve a room for your next meeting or training at St. Paul's Indy.
Looking for a meeting space on Indy's Northside? St. Paul's Indy has six rentable spaces that can accommodate groups from six to 250. Building is handicap-accessible and has a large parking lot and ample street parking. Guest wifi and A/V equipment included. Interested in learning more? Click here for accommodation details, pricing and an inquiry form.
|
|
CHARITABLE ADVISORS
FEATURED JOB POSTINGS
|
|
Executive
Development
Administrative/Management/Leadership
Marketing /Communications/Events
Human Resources
Programs
Facilities
Teaching
AmeriCorps
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|