Seeking a better employment opportunity but not sure if you’re qualified? Or searching for quality career development training to equip an employee for a promotion?

Those are the types of questions that the Institute of Workforce Excellence (IWE), the Indiana Chamber’s charitable nonprofit, is addressing through its new Talent Resource Navigator, a web-based tool designed to help Indiana employers and individuals access educational and professional growth training programs from one location, according to Todd Hurst, IWE executive director.

The Navigator project, which has been in development for more than a year, streamlines the process of identifying and accessing hundreds of programs that address skills gaps in Indiana’s workforce. Funded by a $2.5 million Lilly Endowment grant, the site is free to employers and individuals. It also is available in Spanish and features a live customer service component.

The development of the online tool is in response to some frustrations experienced by employers across the state, as well as a shortage of skilled employees, according to Hurst.

Based on recent statistics, Indiana employers, like those in many other states, are experiencing difficulties in skilled employees to fill job openings. By 2029, 60 percent of net new jobs added in Indiana will require a postsecondary credential. However, only 43 percent of Indiana residents have a credential beyond high school.

While many institutions and organizations throughout the state offer workforce development and talent development training, many people don’t know how to access them — which is one of the challenges the Navigator addresses, Hurst said.

“At the Chamber, we continuously hear from employers that they don't know where to turn, what’s available to them, or what they’re eligible for,” Hurst said. “Many are having difficulty finding talent. At the same time, the tool is designed to help individuals who don’t know what’s available to them or what career paths exist.”

If asked, could you easily answer what your nonprofit does to inspire trust and donor confidence? Certainly, you could mention different programs and services offered. But what if you could convey everything in a way that instantly resonates with potential donors?

This is where trust seals come into play. Think about it. When you see the lock icon in an URL, you instantly know any personal and payment information you provide on the website will be secured. Or, how about the number of stars for a customer review? It’s easy to identify one star as a poor review, whereas five stars are an excellent review. We are wired to subconsciously identify these trust seals which also applies to BBB’s Accreditation seal.

Donors seek reassurance that their financial support is being used properly, and for more than a century, they have been coming to Better Business Bureau (BBB) for guidance. Spotting the BBB Accredited Charity seal lets them know they are (or would be) supporting a trustworthy non-profit.

The trust seal is earned through BBB’s Charity Accreditation Review Program which promotes high standards of conduct among organizations that solicit public contributions. The free program evaluates 501(c)3 charities against BBB's 20 Standards for Charity Accountability — a baseline set of best practices that review the following four key areas of interest to donors:

Episode 18: Theresa Rhodes recently retired after a career that included positions as special assistant for the mayor’s office, nonprofit executive director, and foundation executive director. Join Theresa and Bryan as they talk about successful leadership transitions, corporate foundations, and what nonprofit leadership will look like in the future. Listen

Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute is hosting a premier training experience for current and prospective senior leaders and board members for philanthropic organizations. Applications for the 2023 class are due Oct. 27. Learn more

The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust has awarded Indianapolis Animal Care Services a $3 million grant to help fund the construction of a new facility on the city’s Near Eastside. Read

Serve Indiana is accepting AmeriCorps applications for programs designed to deliver direct and/or capacity building services. Learn more and apply

The Johnson County Tourism Division generated $341 million in 2021. Leading attractions include Mallow Run Winery, Historic Downtown Franklin, Rascal’s Fun Zone, and Apple Works. Read

Indianapolis Business Journal’s CFO of the Year is now accepting nominations for Indiana leaders who excel as financial stewards of corporations and not-for-profit/ government organizations. Deadline for nominations Sept. 30. Nominate

Learning Academy is offering work-based learning opportunities for low-income communities thanks to a team of nonprofits partnering with state departments in Indiana. Watch

Hired new staff? New hires and promotions are published for free in the People on the Move section of the Not-for-profit News. Submit

Strategic teamwork webinar on Sept. 15 at 8:30 a.m. Learn about the key characteristics of effective teams, a leading model for measuring effective teamwork and productivity, and the attributes of ideal team players. Presented by the HR Nonprofit Peer Group. Cost: Free. Register

Working with international media webinar on Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. Explore the ins and outs of working with international media with Cristi Hegranes, chief executive officer, publisher, and founder of Global Press. Presented by The West Foundation. Cost: Free. Register

Graduate expo at IUPUI on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the tent in Taylor Courtyard. (In case of inclement weather location, the event will be hosted at the Campus Center, 4th floor.) Learn about graduate programs at IUPUI and more than 40 other colleges and universities. Register

Find existing sources webinar on Sept. 26 from 9 a.m.-noon at IUPUI, 535 W. Michigan St., Room 257. Review the strengths, weaknesses, and costs of readily available data sets. Presented by SAVI. Cost: Free. Register

Intro to FDO: Finding grant funders on Sept. 28th from 10:30 a.m.-noon at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St. Learn how to use Foundation Directory Online, a research tool that can help 501(c)(3) nonprofits find grant makers most likely to fund their projects. Presented by the Indianapolis Public Library. Cost: Free. Register

Philanthropy Leads dinner on Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 W. Washington St. Join a fireside chat on mental health with Gov. Eric. Holcomb and Indianapolis Colts owner Kalen Jackson. Presented by Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Cost: $75 IPA members/$150 Nonmembers. Register

Building a thriving board webinar on Sept. 29 from 10 am.-1:30 p.m. Learn how to improve the composition and functionality of a nonprofit board through best practices in recruitment, onboarding, and rotation in alignment with an organization’s mission. Presented by Hedges. Cost: $90 for two people from the same nonprofit. Deadline Sept. 27.  Register

Power Up Your Strengths from Oct. 31-Dec. 13. Learn how to bring out the talents of others through a certification/virtual cohort inspired by the CliftonStrengths^® assessment. Cost: $4,500. Get 10 percent off through the end of September by using promo code EARLYBIRD. Presented by Purple Ink. Register

Assisting Through Loss After Suicide is looking for new members to support its newest initiative, Upstream, which provides support and connection to individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. Learn more

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President & Chief Executive Officer - ADEC

Job Seekers, what do you think of Charitable Advisors’ new job board? We moved our job board to HiringOpps in late April. Now, we are anxious to find out how the new system is working as a job seeker. If you have applied for a job using the new system, could you please take 2-minutes to let us know how it is going?