A Community Building Reminder: The Vital Importance of Active Listening |
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by Nicole Zerillo, Nonprofit Quarterly
If you say you’re focused on “community building,” you may get as many questions as responses. Yet community building remains critical for nonprofits in civil society to be effective partners with the groups that they often seek to partner with and serve. (See “ The Problem with Philanthropic ‘Self-Accountability’” as an example of what can happen when we don’t.)
Before putting together plans, deeper research and conversation are needed. A year ago, the UCSF (University of California, San Francisco) Preterm Birth Initiative (PTBi), explored the challenge of community engagement at their December 2019 “collaboratory” gathering. PTBi uses a research justice framework, “where mainstream knowledge is given equal importance as cultural and spiritual and experiential work,” alongside a research prioritization process and community advisory board.
As Daphina Melbourne, PTBi’s community engagement specialist, warns, “Do not go into communities wanting to save them. We do not need to be saved. We can save ourselves. We need your technical support.”
To build community effectively requires a focus on collaboration. An example of this approach is provided by the Kheprw Institute in Indianapolis. Focused on “community empowerment through self-mastery,” the nonprofit offers programs, from democratizing data to community-controlled food, as means to tap into “the collective power that resides in under-resourced communities, especially Black communities, to create the opportunities and environment we want to live in.”
As Imhotep Adisa, the group’s executive director, explained to the Indianapolis Star, “We consider ourselves to be community wealth builders, not just entrepreneurs, but entrepreneurs focused on adding value to the community, wealth to the community, not only through a fiscal lens but through intellectual, cultural, and social capital as core tenants of the community wealth building.”
Nonprofits seeking to pursue increased community engagement and institutional efficacy must find a balance of working in brick-and-mortar places and online spaces. Always, the challenge of inclusivity remains. And inclusive communities are often embedded in place.
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Legal Knowledge is More Important Than Ever |
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by Miki Pike Hamstra, assistant dean of graduate programs, IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law
As the working world demands more from employees, it is critically important for leaders across all fields to understand the laws that impact the lives of those they lead or the businesses and nonprofits they run.
No strategy can be executed without understanding how the law defines the environment. Anyone looking to advance their career, leadership role, or advocacy should consider how a Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) degree at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law can make them more effective.
M.J. graduates distinguish themselves by bringing critical, specialized legal knowledge to their fields and places of work. They learn to anticipate how legislation will impact their work and effectively take steps to respond strategically.
The M.J. degree is designed for individuals interested in developing a better understanding of the law but do not wish to practice law or earn a J.D. degree. The degree, which focuses on foundational law courses spanning a variety of specialty fields, is tailored to each individual student's particular interest and career goals.
IU McKinney also offers four joint-degree programs with partner schools on the IUPUI campus. These programs enable students to earn two graduate degrees simultaneously, thereby cutting down on the time it takes to earn the degrees individually.
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The Anderson Symphony Orchestra has hired Darla Sallee as executive director. Sallee previously served as webmaster and director of Anderson TV for the City of Anderson. |
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The American Heart Association has named Amanda Mills as its executive director in Indianapolis. Mills will oversee the fundraising and community engagement initiatives that advance the AHA’s mission in Central Indiana. |
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Indiana Forest Alliance has hired Morgan Whitacre as development director. Whitacre previously served as a development officer for Earlham College, and as a campaign finance director for numerous candidates. |
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EmployIndy has promoted Robin Kildall to associate director of development. Kildall previously served as development manager for the organization. |
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EmployIndy has promoted Kate Ryan to associate director of strategic communications. Ryan previously served as the organization’s strategic communications manager. |
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EmployIndy has promoted Ashley Downey to associate director of learning and technical assistance. Downey previously served as job ready manager for EmployIndy. |
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The Central Indiana nonprofit salary survey by Charitable Advisors was sent out today. Please check your email for the survey link if you are the organization’s contact. If you were expecting it and do not see it, please check your spam and other folders. For assistance, contact Julie Struble at Julie@charitableadvisors.com. She will send your organization’s unique survey link.
The United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) has announced that it received a $25 million donation from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott, the largest gift from a single donor the organization has ever received. UWCI plans to work with community partners over the next three to five years to determine how to best use the unrestricted gift. The organization indicated that the priority will be on economic and social mobility programs. Read more
The Damar Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation for sensory landscaping at Damar Village, a safe, supportive housing complex opening this spring for adults with developmental disabilities. Read more
The Junior League of Indianapolis is accepting applications for its Trust Fund Grant program. Nonprofit organizations that serve children with physical or developmental disabilities in Marion County are eligible and may request funding of up to $5,000. Read more
Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded the Indiana Afterschool Network $540,000 to support the quality enhancements of out-of-school time programs across Indiana and to ensure that high-quality programming is more accessible to children and families. Read more
Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation is seeking applications for its fellowship program, which provides up to 25 individuals access to influential people, organizations and resources to accelerate the state’s progress on key growth initiatives. Applications will be accepted until March 14, 2021. To apply, visit the MDLF site.
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Managing volunteers in a crisis webinar on Feb. 4 from 10-11:15 a.m. Learn more about managing volunteers during a crisis and how to leverage their people-power, skills, and resilience now and after the crisis. Cost: $15. Presented by United Way of Central Indiana. Register
Racial equity organizational audit webinar on Feb. 10 from 10-11:15 a.m. This session will provide attendees an overview of equity audits and the benefits an audit can bring to an organization, its employees, and to the communities it serves. Cost: $15. Presented by United Way of Central Indiana. Register
Stories of diverse backgrounds and perspectives Facebook watch party on Feb. 4 from 4:30-5:00 p.m. Cost: Free. Presented by LUNA. Register to listen
Board engagement and fundraising webinar on Feb. 11 at noon. Fewer than half of nonprofits report that their boards of directors are fully engaged with fundraising. New research, based on effective practices of nonprofits with 100 percent board giving, reveals practical steps you can take to increase the number of board members who donate and fundraise to your nonprofit organization. Cost: $20. Presented Bill Stanczykiewicz by IU Lilly School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. Register
Fundraising event strategies webinar on Feb. 19 at noon. Participants will hear about the learnings and best practices from a year of scrambling to organize virtual events. They also will gain the tools needed to plan events in 2021 and beyond. Hosted by Hedges and National Bank of Indianapolis. Cost: Free. Register
Evaluation crash course for non-evaluators webinar on Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. While this session is tailored to grants specialists, anyone interested in learning more about program evaluation is welcome to attend. Presented by EvaluATE. Cost: Free. Register
Securing the future virtual conference on March 4 from 8 a.m.- noon. This session features tracks on board governance, community change, equity and inclusion and strategy/operations. Cost: $50 Leadership Council Members/ $75 nonmembers. Hosted by Leadership Council for Nonprofits.
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Succession planning isn’t just for retirement anymore on Feb. 17 from 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Whether you are a nonprofit ED/CEO beginning to think about your retirement timeline or a board or staff leader who wants to be sure your organization has laid the appropriate groundwork for a successful transition. There will be time for extended Q&A about how you can prepare your organization and your board and staff teams for a near-term or future leadership transition.
Presented by Bryan Orander with Charitable Advisors.
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Plant a victory garden. Does your family garden have extra space? Why not plant a few rows of produce to support your local food pantry? Learn about a family-friendly way to support others in your community. Contact Joyce Rose.
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According to Dealaid.org, more than 70 percent of respondents said they made a charitable contribution last year, compared with roughly 62 percent who said they did in 2019.
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Create opportunities for knowing, understanding, and working together that forge the relational bonds on which we rely as a society.
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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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MEETING ROOM OR EVENT SPACE |
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Office/art space available in Fountain Square
Office rental space available on Indianapolis’ Southeast side. Up to 1,970 sq ft. office space, five rooms for office/studio space, kitchenette, paid utilities, installed security system, parking and more. Contact Bradley Keen at (317) 634-5079, ext. 101.
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Events, Meetings and Offices
With 2,000 square feet of coworking space, budget-friendly private offices, and comfortable meeting and event spaces, the Nexus Impact Center is an ideal location to pursue your mission. Located just off Interstate 465 and Michigan Road, Nexus allows your team members and visitors to quickly reach your space and meet in spacious rooms that allow for safe social distancing. More
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CHARITABLE ADVISORS
FEATURED JOB POSTINGS
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Program Manager - Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana (Bloomington)
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