April 8, 2025

Written by Sarah Weaver, J.D., CICF General Counsel & Chief of Staff

For nonprofit organizations committed to serving the most vulnerable populations in our communities, the start to 2025 has been a draining experience.

In a recent listening session with Central Indiana nonprofits, CICF collaborative members heard painful and alarming testimony about the real and potential impacts of changes in funding priorities at the federal and state levels and cuts to equity-focused programming.

CICF leadership has joined other area foundations and national coalitions to assess how best to take on these new and evolving challenges. It has also joined the Community Foundation Awareness Initiative, which has focused recently on a comprehensive federal lobbying effort in Washington.

From the foundation perspective, CICF is expressing to lawmakers that donors and foundations should be free to give to causes they care about without concerns of reprisal or retaliation. Through this commitment, we remain devoted to a more broadly prosperous Central Indiana.

In the meantime, entities who directly serve the most vulnerable in our community need to know how best they can endure an era of uncertainty.

Continue reading the three approaches to consider  

NEW SPONSOR'S INSIGHT

Submitted by Black Onyx Management

In today's volatile funding landscape, nonprofit organizations face unprecedented challenges in securing stable government funding. Many nonprofit leaders find themselves struggling to plan effectively for the future. This uncertainty doesn't have to derail your mission or impact.

The Challenge of Uncertain Government Funding

As a nonprofit leader, having predictable financial resources is essential to achieving your goals. When government funding—often a significant portion of nonprofit budgets—becomes unpredictable, the ripple effects touch every aspect of your organization. Financial forecasting becomes difficult, program sustainability is threatened, and the pressure to diversify funding sources intensifies.

Many nonprofit leaders, especially those in smaller organizations, find themselves without the internal capacity to navigate these challenges while simultaneously managing operations, overseeing teams, and maintaining service delivery.

Continue reading

By Lynn Meiser and Christa Woelfel

Non-profits face unique challenges in maintaining financial health and stability that can be compounded by economics situations outside of their control. Barnes Dennig Fractional Controller Brianna Kempe presented a framework to help non-profits safeguard their finances against uncertainty. Drawing from over 20 years of experience managing organizations with annual budgets ranging from $250,000 to $7 million, Kempe outlined practical strategies centered on three pillars: expense prioritization, building financial reserves, and continuing revenue growth.

Prioritize expenses with purpose and precision

“Mission is your proverbial cornerstone,” Kempe emphasized. But as she pointed out, a cornerstone means little without a stable foundation, walls, and a roof. For non-profits, this translates into balancing programmatic expenses with the necessary administrative and overhead costs that keep the organization functional.

Many non-profits operate on tight budgets, often relying on grants, donations, and fundraising efforts to stay afloat. Kempe highlighted the importance of strategic decision-making when expenses need to be cut or postponed. She recommended focusing on core programs and foundational needs rather than trying to sustain multiple struggling initiatives. “One strong and vibrant program might be better than five struggling ones,” she noted.

Continue reading 

The Jewish Community Center has hired Rich Lord as senior director of member experience. Previously, Lord served as executive director of marketing and communications at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Hale Crumley has been named program officer at the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. Crumley most recently served as policy manager at Prosperity Indiana.

Rico Francis has been named program officer at the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. Francis previously served as social impact director at the Pacers Foundation.

The Villages of Indiana has named Jennifer Milewski as chief development officer. Milewski previously served as state executive director for Indiana and Kentucky at Susan G. Komen.

The Sagamore Institute has named William Taft as interurban director. Taft previously served as senior vice president for economic development at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation.

The American Red Cross has named K. Rose Follmar-Mitchell as a member of its disaster relief team. Follmar-Mitchell previously served as the director of marketing and creative development at MEDiSURG.

PACE has expanded its Breaking the Chains program with a three-week post-release workshop, Guidance for Post Support, designed to help justice-involved individuals overcome re-entry barriers, achieve financial stability, and secure employment. The program offers job placement, financial coaching, and basic needs assistance, aiming to reduce recidivism and promote long-term success.

The Women's Fund of Central Indiana is now accepting applications for its 2025 grant round, focusing on programs that address economic stability, women's health, girls' empowerment, and grassroots organizations led by and serving women and girls of color. Apply by April 30

Carmel’s Palladium performing arts hall will be renamed the Payne & Mencias Palladium effective July 1. The new name honors Carmel residents Eric and Leah Payne and Ron and Suzanne Mencias, longtime supporters of the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Last year, Carmel-based Allied Solutions LLC became the naming-rights sponsor of the Center. Read more 

The Go Further Literacy Fund, an initiative by the Mind Trust, has awarded $50,000 to 21 projects to improve literacy in the city. Proceeds help make strides in closing the literacy gap, providing essential resources and innovative solutions to help students succeed. See recipients

The Duke Energy Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Association have awarded $150,000 in grants to four Indiana nonprofits to address the state’s affordable childcare crisis, which affects workforce participation and economic growth. The grants will focus on expanding access to quality childcare, supporting early learning initiatives, and engaging local businesses to create sustainable solutions. See recipients 

Wheeler Mission needs donation sorters. Volunteers sort and organize donations alongside staff members and other volunteers. Volunteers need to be able to do manual labor for at least two hours. Minors must be accompanied with an adult. For more information and to register

Development Director Is a Hot Job. What You Need to Snag This Position

Fundraisers, with their eye on the job, should develop their skills by building one-on-one relationships with donors and managing people.

A Guide to Recruiting Board Members

Creating an effective board means more than finding skilled individuals—it’s about bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise that align with your organization’s needs.

SPONSORS' INSIGHTS

Forvis Mazars  Planning Considerations for Qualified Charitable Distributions  

Johnson Grossnickle & Associates Elevate Your Nonprofit's Mission with The Power of Storytelling

CHARITABLE ADVISORS FEATURED JOB POSTINGS

Chief Executive Officer - Family Promise of Hendricks County