As with most executive leaders assuming a new role, Eric H. Koehler assessed opportunities for growth when he arrived at JCC Indianapolis in 2017.

One of the areas he identified was the need for mental health and related support services for the youth that the organization had been serving for decades.

“While we’re certainly running a good program, I thought we could run an excellent program by providing additional mental, emotional and social well-being support,” said Koehler, who had previously worked in numerous JCC leadership positions, including as CEO of the JCC in Stamford, Conn. “Everyone has different abilities and needs based on where they are, but we didn’t have the capacity — the deep bench that we really needed to provide that additional support.

Koehler outlined a plan to add mental health support to the campers served by the organization’s programs and started reaching out to foundations for funding support.

Although COVID-19 disrupted the timeline of the programming, the organization was able to hire a mental health and behavioral coordinator and inclusion support specialists to work at its camp programs in 2022. The hires were made possible with a gift from the Glick Foundation, and gifts from the Adams, Bell, Cotlar and Koppel families.

With its expanded offerings under the pilot program, the JCC Indianapolis joins an increasing number of nonprofit organizations that are seeking ways to support mental health needs among youth through their regular programs. 

These programs come at a time when mental health challenges among youth are reaching a crisis level, as described in a recent article published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Statistics show that demand for mental health support is far outpacing available resources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of every five children in the United States had a mental health disorder prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, only about 20 percent of the children identified were receiving care from a mental health provider. 

Analyses of philanthropic activity in Brazil and the United Kingdom identify expanded donor expectations for transparency from charitable organizations and significant growth in digital giving

Today the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI launched its new research series, Digital for Good: A Global Study on Emerging Ways of Giving. The series will chronicle findings and insights regarding emerging trends in charitable giving, with a focus on how innovative giving methods such as mobile giving, crowdfunding, online volunteering, social impact initiatives and others are shaping giving in various countries.

The series, which builds on the school’s Global Philanthropy Environment Index and Global Philanthropy Tracker, will be released in phases over the next five months and feature profiles of eight diverse countries, beginning today with analyses of giving trends in the United Kingdom and case studies of non-traditional ways of giving in Brazil. Profiles of China, India, Kenya, Singapore, South Africa, and South Korea will follow. For each country, the research team collaborated with in-country partner organizations or individual experts to identify specific trends, shape data collection, and develop report findings. The study series is based on research funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“Expanding on our global philanthropy research by introducing these studies allows us to better understand philanthropy’s ever-evolving trends and to examine them in countries with varied philanthropic landscapes,” said Una Osili, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the school. “By identifying and understanding emerging ways in which people are giving, we can equip leaders of charitable organizations to better secure, shape and deliver much-needed aid and relief.”

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

The Villages of Indiana has announced it has received a grant of $150,000 from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The funds will support the hiring of a foster care recruitment and retention specialist for two years.

The National FFA Organization says membership reached a record high due to growing interest in its programs and agricultural education. The organization’s student membership totaled more than 850,000, an increase of 15 percent from last year. Read more

Hoosiers For Good connected 11 Indiana Universities athletes with seven charities with a total compensation of $425,000 for the players. In exchange for name, image and likeness arrangements, the athletes agree to participate in a range of activities on behalf of their partner charities. Learn more

Johnson County Community Foundation has created a mental health fund to provide counseling for local residents. The fund, which was supported by a $10,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, and area businesses, nonprofit groups, and individuals, will focus on addressing unmet mental health service needs. Read more

Jiffy Lube of Indiana’s initiative #Drive2DoMore has awarded local nonprofit volunteers who use their car for work with a year’s worth of complimentary vehicle maintenance. Read more

Kiwanis Foundation of Indianapolis has opened its grant application process to nonprofits that shares it mission to serve children. Deadline is Sept. 30. Apply for community grants that will be distributed in 2023.

The Black Women's Funder Summit on Aug. 31 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. with virtual and in-person options at Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave. Activities for Reunity, an international Black women funders’ power and wellness summit, include a panel discussion on Black philanthropy led by Una Osili, keynote speakers and learning sessions. Cost: Free. Register

United Way of Central Indiana meet-and-greet to introduce its new president and CEO, Fred Payne, on Aug. 31 from 8-9 a.m. at Edna Martin Christian Center, 2605 E. 25th St. RSVP

JoyPowered^® Leadership program starts Sept. 8 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and meets monthly through February. The program includes six leadership training sessions, two one-hour individual coaching sessions, CliftonStrengths^® assessment, Certification as a JoyPowered^® Leader and more. Presented by Purple Ink. Cost: $1,859 (10% discount for nonprofits). Learn more and register

The formula to successful nonprofit giving days year-round webinar on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. Learn about cause awareness and giving days, which are 24-hour fundraising events that can be powerful moments throughout the year. Presented by Raisely. Cost: Free. Register

Digital fundraising & communication webinar on Sept. 14 at noon. Build a narrative to support your fundraising goals and identify practical tools and resources, and learn about the marketing funnel and how to keep your message moving all year long. Presented by Hedges and National Bank of Indianapolis. Cost: Free. Register

Cultivating major donors: What’s working now webinar on Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. Learn from veteran big-gift fundraisers about the tactics and messages they are using to secure gifts in 2022. Presented by Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $69. Register

Legal issues for nonprofit fundraising and management on Sept. 22 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lafayette Country Club, 1500 S. 9th Street, Lafayette. Learn the latest legal issues for nonprofits with a focus on fundraising rules. Presented by Association of Fundraising Professional. Cost: $25. Register

Learn about Upstream’s volunteer session on Sept. 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Yeager Office Suites of Greenwood, 3209 W. Smith Valley Road, Room 2, Greenwood. Volunteers will prepare materials and curriculum workbooks for school partners. Contact Kathleen Ratcliff kathleen@upstreamprevention.org

VonLehman CPA & Advisors Firm  VonLehman has won the Best of Accounting Client Satisfaction Award

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President & CEO - United Way of Monroe County

President & Chief Executive Officer - ADEC