As leaders of two nonprofits — one national, the other local — we work in a range of communities and provide a variety of essential services. When Americans need support or seek to create community, nonprofits are trusted and dependable sources of help and partnership.

This never has been more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the nonprofit sector rose to meet this unprecedented international emergency. Families experiencing hunger, individuals facing eviction, and communities in crisis found some of the help they needed from nonprofits in their communities.

Nonprofits are the third-largest sector of the U.S. workforce and a vital portion of the economy motivated by service to people and impact, rather than financial profit. Examples of this support are endless. March of Dimes supported over 50,000 NICU families and has offered implicit bias training to more than 35,000 health care providers in more than 30 states and Washington, D.C. since 2020. Children’s Aid served nearly 50,000 children and families with education, social-emotional, and health supports, and distributed more than 230,000 food packages to families in New York City since the onset of the pandemic.

Now, with COVID infections continuing to sweep through the U.S. and no additional funding in sight to meet people’s needs, organizations such as ours are responding to help people once again. Local, state and federal governments often lean on us during times of crisis. Despite the sector’s size and demonstrated ability to improve lives and create healthier communities, nonprofits are sometimes an afterthought in the policymaking process, and this lag hurts the ability of organizations to deliver help to people.

This is why we heartily applaud Reps. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.) for proposing the Nonprofit Sector Strength and Partnership Act of 2022 (H.R. 7587). This legislation would establish long-lasting structures and policies to tap the knowledge, trust and reach of nonprofits so we can make meaningful progress and ultimately increase our impact in the communities we serve because our voices will be heard more quickly.

by Coleman Rowland, managing director, Forvis (formerly BKD)

We’re rapidly approaching the end of the days when organizations can pay lip service to their commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles without backing up those claims with evidence and facts. And while a push is being made to standardize ESG policies, currently there’s no one “right” way. Instead, building your ESG policy in conjunction with your donors and/or grantors can help ensure their priorities on ESG are represented and tailored to your organization.

So how do you determine the right policies for your donors and grantors? It can be the worst of both worlds as ESG is both a hot topic and moving target. There currently are many different sets of standards, from the international Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to the U.S.-based Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), that it can feel like a herculean task. While it may seem like a boilerplate process would simplify things, there’s no one-size-fits-all ESG program, because every organization faces unique issues and risks.

Some organizations are using their peers for guidance, or a “birds of a feather” approach. BlackRock developed its gold standard for ESG a few years ago, and there’s a trickle-down effect where emerging managers aim to match it. This approach can be helpful because no organization can follow the hundreds of recommendations found among the different sets of standards.

Episode 9: What’s behind a rebrand? Join Bryan Orander as he speaks with Allyson Mitchell, executive director of Circular Indiana, and Lars Lawson, principal of Timber Design, about a multi-year effort to keep the organization’s brand in step with the nonprofit’s purpose. It’s a great conversation for any nonprofit considering a name change. Listen

Lilly Endowment has awarded $34 million in grants to eight local human services organizations to help strengthen their long-term financial sustainability plans. The recipients are CICOA Aging & In-home Solutions, Damien Center Inc., Dove Recovery House for Women, Foster Success, Indiana Youth Group, Public Advocates in Community Re-entry, Volunteers of America Indiana and RecycleForce. Read more about the grants.

Tangram has been awarded $150,000 from United Way of Central Indiana’s Basic Needs grant. The funding will support critical basic needs services for individuals with disabilities, including mental and behavioral health, wellness services, transportation, rent and utility assistance, and residential support. Learn more

Hearst Foundations has awarded the Indianapolis Art Center $75,000 grant to support its youth outreach programs. The funds will help ensure that visual arts education, exhibitions, and experiences are affordable and accessible to all individuals. Read about the grant.

The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation, has awarded more than $2.2 million in grants to numerous Marion County nonprofits, projects and initiatives. According to the foundation, the responsive grants are designed to support its mission to mobilize people, ideas and investments that advance equitable opportunities for all individuals. See recipients

Indianapolis Business Journal is accepting applications for its 2022 Women of Influence recognition. The honor recognizes local women from the public or private sector who have demonstrated professional excellence and leadership in their careers and community service. Nominate

How to defeat fundraising’s silent enemy: Donor attrition webinar on June 29 at 11 a.m. Learn how to step off the donor acquisition treadmill and start revving up donor retention. Presented by Nonprofit Hub. Cost: Free. Register

Creating an exceptional annual report webinar on June 29 at 1 p.m. Build an annual report that engages people with your purpose and grows support for your programs. Presented by Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Cost: Free. Register

Resume building career growth training workshop on July 1 from 7-9 p.m. Teen girls will have the opportunity to highlight their academic accomplishments, skills, and extracurricular activities during the virtual workshop. Presented by The Girl Talk Incorporated. Cost: Free. Register

Greek organizations building the board webinar on July 27 at noon. Participants will discuss recruitment, orientation, training, board-staff partnerships, and how to measure effectiveness. Presented by VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm. Cost: Free: Register

Financial management 101 for not-for-profit leaders who do it all pre-recorded webinar. A virtual session on tax, accounting, and financial hot topics. Presented by Barnes Dennig. Cost: Free. Watch

Indiana Black Expo is seeking volunteers for its 51st Annual Summer Celebration on July 15-17. Volunteers must be 18 years old and must attend the required volunteer walk-through session. Learn more and register

VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm Gas prices are forcing mileage rates to increase, starting July 1.

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