Take a moment and read these two words: strategic plan. Now close your eyes and picture one. If what comes up is a thick binder, gathering dust on a shelf next to other thick binders from five and ten years past, you’re not alone. We believe that a better understanding of the history of strategy and what caused the demise of binder-bound strategic planning can point the way to re-inventing strategy for the world we live in today. It is important to remember that strategy’s roots are military. Military strategy focuses on setting objectives, collecting intelligence, and then using that intelligence to make informed decisions about how to achieve your objectives—take that hill, cut this supply line.

United Way Accredited Partners: A Bigger Family Right now, United Way’s outcomes measurement dashboard, “Impact United,” touts the direct and profound impact being made in our community by 88 nonprofit organizations. These 88 partners are accredited with United Way, which means they demonstrate best practices in tackling poverty and are meeting the ever-changing needs of the neighbors they serve.

However, current data indicates we are missing some folks at the table. We are in need of additional partners to fill service and geographic gaps in our communities.

This year, United Way is opening the application for accreditation to organizations who specialize in adult/youth employment, education credentialing and basic needs services in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Morgan and Putnam counties. Similarly in Marion County, we have targeted zip codes where the need is greater for workforce development, credentialing, and safe and affordable housing services.

Read more | Learn how to become a UWCI accredited partner

INDIANAPOLIS — Two top winners of an upcoming Pitch Your Passion student competition will receive all-encompassing, four-year scholarships to the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis (IUI), the world’s first school dedicated solely to teaching and research about philanthropy.

Students selected as Thomasson Scholars will receive scholarships that provide up to four years of tuition and fees, room and board, and books, as well as support for a semester of study abroad. Other winners of the competition will receive partial scholarships.

Read more | Apply for Pitch Your Passion

The Indiana Bar Foundation released the sixth biennial Indiana Civic Health Index. The report reviews components of Indiana’s civic health, including voter registration, voter turnout, community engagement, and connectivity. Download the report

The Villages of Indiana, Inc. fulfilled 552 support requests, totaling $241,417.62 in assistance to families and individuals facing diverse challenges, such as rent, utilities, childcare, medical expenses, in 2023.

Tangram has launched an early intervention autism service. This initiative is designed to equip children with autism with the therapeutic support necessary to maximize growth and development. For more information, contact Madison Scott

Learn about associations in Indiana- Download the Indiana Membership Associations: Overview and Challenges report for free. The report compares membership associations and other nonprofits on several dimensions. Free download

New Hope of Indiana recently merged with The ALTRUIST Group, allowing the organization to expand New Hope’s capacity in residential services. Read more

Donor love: The roadmap to sustainable fundraising webinar on Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. Learn the key to securing repeated gifts. Presented by Community Boost. Cost: Free. Register

Empowering fundraisers to create social good on Feb. 21 at 11:30 a.m. at The Salvation Army Indiana Division, 6060 Castleway Drive. Learn how to connect and maximize the opportunities available through AFP. Presented by Association of Fundraising Professionals. Cost: $30. Register

Starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on Feb. 24 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Central Library’s Special Collections Room, 6th floor. This workshop will help you assess whether starting a nonprofit is right for you. Learn what a nonprofit organization is, and the steps required to start one. Presented by The Indianapolis Public Library. Cost: Free. Register

Developing an effective board of directors on Feb. 24 from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Central Library’s Special Collections Room, 6th floor. This workshop will help you understand the basic responsibilities of nonprofit boards and identify methods for improving board effectiveness. Presented by The Indianapolis Public Library. Cost: Free. Register

Find existing data webinar is on Feb. 26 at 1 - 3 p.m. This workshop covers the strengths, weaknesses, and costs of readily available data sets, including SAVI, so you have the information you need to locate the data that is right for you. Hands-on activities explore the many tools that SAVI provides for locating and exploring data. Presented by SAVI. Cost: Free. Register

United Way of Central Indiana is recruiting volunteers for Go All In Day on June 21. A variety of indoor and outdoor projects – ranging in length from hour-long to all-day activities – will be available for individual volunteers, groups and families. Learn more and sign up

Johnson Grossnickle & Associates Million dollar ready: Assessing the factors that lead to transformational gifts

FORVIS 5 Signs you have outgrown QuickBooks

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Executive Director - Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children

President & Chief Executive Officer - Sycamore Services