Check our website: We know you have new Covid-19 resources and references coming to you daily and it can be overwhelming. Weekly, we will highlight the best new resources and tools we find, and then add to our website for future reference. More info.

Diapers. Not every family needs them or even thinks about them, but for moms with very young children, diapers are nearly as indispensable as food on the table. Babies and toddlers aren't in a position to make sacrifices during the COVID-19 crisis.

With that in mind and knowing that diaper manufacturers were having trouble meeting the sudden demand, the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana moved quickly. After conversations with its grantees, the fund created an emergency grant process, and awarded its first $10,000 emergency grant to the Indiana Diaper Bank. With cancellation of diaper drives and fundraising events, the diaper bank nonprofit found itself needing an infusion of cash to place an order. The nonprofit knew there was an immediate need from Facebook messages received from moms asking for help.

Typically, families receive one bundle of diapers. However, during this time, mom and families are given what they need to keep them at home, safe and healthy for the next couple of months. The grant allows the bank to provide diapers and wipes for 2,500 children. SNAP and WIC funds cannot be used to purchase diapers.

For one family this type of help is critical. They moved to Indianapolis so the dad could start a new job, but soon after arriving he was let go because of COVID-19. The mom had not yet found employment, and immediately they were in an unfortunate situation. The diapers they received at a local pantry, along with other household essentials and food, helped as they try to find employment, said Rachael Suskovich, Indiana Diaper Bank’s founder and CEO.

Last week, Indianapolis tech firm Selfless.ly and Serve Indiana, a division of the Department of Workforce Development, launched an initiative to identify a cadre of ready volunteers and match them with nonprofit volunteer opportunities that can be accomplished while still social distancing or staying at home.

Several organizations like IYG, Girls Inc., Indiana Bulldog Rescue, and Young Actors Theatre have signed on and are transitioning their volunteer programs to a virtual platform.

With a workforce that is adjusting to working remotely and the nonprofit community that needs increased support, Selfless.ly has opened its platform to nonprofits at no cost. There are currently hundreds of volunteers ready to help. If your nonprofit is interested in learning more, contact Selfless.ly at [email protected].

The State of Indiana will use a $5 million gift from Lilly Endowment to open a facility in Central Indiana for the homeless who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who need to be in quarantine because of exposure, said Families and Social Services Administration secretary Jennifer Sullivan. The shelter, staffed by Eskenazi Health and the National Guard, plan to accept first residents within the next few days. The state will not share the shelter’s location.

New service: With COVID-19 stretching human service organizations, every position is critical to meet the increased demand for services. We can lend a hand. With a proven track record, Charitable Advisors nonprofit recruiters can help ensure that your nonprofit can continue to fill key positions, does not lose talent or take the focus away from the organization’s mission. Learn more here.

New service: At Charitable Advisors, we recognized that few nonprofit boards are accustomed to making difficult decisions? With more than 20 years of experience, one similarity we have found is that all boards desire to serve and support their neighborhoods or communities. During this tough time, Charitable Advisors can provide a positive, neutral voice and help your board address the issues at hand. Learn more here.

With U.S. workers filing a record-setting number of unemployment claims last week, it also may mean a loss of health insurance coverage. While serving Hoosiers since last summer,  Connecting Kids to Coverage at the Indiana Rural Health Association has shifted its service model from face-to-face sessions to phone support during the pandemic. The free service provided by licensed Indiana insurance navigators can help Hoosiers apply for Indiana health coverage programs such as Hoosier Healthwise (children up to age 19, and expectant mothers) or the Healthy Indiana Plan (adults age 19-64). This includes people who have lost health insurance coverage as a result of COVID-19. The navigators will help determine which program would be most appropriate to apply for and identify the documents needed to apply. This service is available to Hoosier families anywhere in the state. To start the process, e-mail [email protected], or call 812-478-3919, ext. 248.

SAVI Indiana Coronavirus Data Hub. The Polis Center has developed an information hub to help practitioners, policy makers and grant writers during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The Coronavirus Data Hub includes three dashboards, which will be updated. 

By Kevin Kidwell, vice president national tax-exempt sales, OneAmerica ^®

If you oversee or coordinate your employer-sponsored retirement plan or have a team that’s in charge, you’ve no doubt heard about the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. Passed by Congress and signed by the president on December 19, 2019, it’s a major bill that affects all Americans.

Like any complex piece of legislation, the SECURE Act impacts companies like OneAmerica ^®, who administer employer-sponsored retirement plans and are now carefully studying the implications. For our experienced professionals, evaluating and addressing the SECURE Act provisions with clients and financial professionals has been a labor of love ─ especially for our tax-exempt business, because, as our leadership has long said, “Tax exempt is in our DNA.”

This landmark legislation, five years in the making, provides the most significant changes to the retirement industry in more than a decade. In general, the most dramatic changes are to traditional 401(k) plans. However, because nonprofits and healthcare organizations, schools and government agencies are unique. Read more.

Indianapolis-based nonprofit  Karuna Precision Wellness Center  recently opened its center to help nearly 500,000 cancer survivors in Indiana get back to living full, healthy lives after their treatment ends. But during the pandemic is offering its services online. Read more.  

Indiana Landmarks and the Central Indiana Community Foundation are partnering to help preserve significant African-American landmarks in Indiana by overseeing two funds that honor the legacy of Eli Lilly and Co. scientist Standiford Cox, the first African American chemist to work for the pharmaceutical company. Read more.

Indianapolis-based STARTedUP Foundation has launched an online curriculum that encourages students to find a cause in their communities and collaborate online through a closed group LinkedIn page. Closed schools have provided an opportunity to expose homebound students to innovation and entrepreneurship for a cause. Learn more. 

COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS

Ball Brothers Foundation in Muncie introduced Rapid Response grants several years ago, but during this crisis, they’ve taken it to a new level. In a video, Ball Brothers Foundation’s President and COO, Jud Fisher, shares examples of efforts underway including ways that the foundation is supporting critical needs through targeted rapid grant funding. View the video here.

The Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund awarded more than $7 million in grants to 46 community organizations throughout central Indiana last week. In the coming weeks, the fund’s task force will work with nonprofit organizations that provide human services across Central Indiana to listen, collect data, and determine next steps to develop the timeline and priorities for the next round of funding from C-CERF. Human services organizations in Central Indiana that have questions or want to know more are encouraged to send a message to [email protected].

The Dubois County Community Foundation is providing $50,000 in grants to address "urgent, critical needs" and changed its grant process to an expedited, two-question process. Organizations selected for grant awards can expect to have funding in hand within 24 hours. For more information, contact Clayton Boyles at 812.482.5295, [email protected] or visit dccommunityfoundation.org. Learn more.

Foellinger Foundation announced its initial response, committing $1.35 million in critical response grants. The program has four components and the foundation has partnered with others in Allen County. In addition to its Innovative Rapid Grants (up to $25,000 each) and Emergency Rapid Response Grants (up to $5,000 each), there are other funds available. To learn more about the phases, click here.

The Huntington County Community Foundation and United Way of Huntington County have teamed up to commit $25,000 each towards the creation of the Huntington County Emergency Relief Fund to help support those in our community that will be most affected by the health and economic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

The Indy Arts & Culture COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund supports local artists experiencing severe financial losses due to arts and culture cancellations and closures. Artists can apply for a grant. Learn more here.

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President & Chief Executive Officer - Pathfinder Services (Northeast Indiana)

Chief Executive Officer - Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA)