January 30, 2024
FEATURE
Indiana not-for-profits pulled in $348.7M in big gifts in 2023
Crystal Miller knows it’s a daunting challenge to cold-call potential donors and ask them to write a check to help improve food insecurity, social isolation and other health challenges around Indiana.

But it’s a different story if she can get them to pay a visit to her studio on the eighth floor of Methodist Tower.

The large room in the office tower at North Capitol Avenue and West 16th Street is decked out with elaborate models of Indiana University Health’s $4 billion construction project on the northern edge of downtown, where some of those programs will take place. The view from the windows shows a flurry of construction activity on the expanded Methodist Hospital campus.

SPONSORS' INSIGHTS
The Best Advice Ever?
by Ron Gifford, Dunleavy & Associates

Early in my tenure as CEO of Jump IN for Healthy Kids, my colleagues gave me a lovely gift: a handcrafted nameplate for my desk. On the front were the usual items: my name, title, logo. But on the back, though, where only I could see it, they put this inscription: “Don’t screw this up!!”  

I laughed out loud the first time I saw the inscription. Yep, best advice ever! But even though it was offered in a humorous vein, I certainly felt the more serious sentiment behind it. We had a great board, significant funding, wide community support, and a critical mission to accomplish. Given those resources, we felt a lot of pressure to deliver and demonstrate results. In other words, to not screw it up.

Sound familiar? The back of that nameplate could easily sit on the desk of most nonprofit leaders, right? For many, this feeling reflects their internalized sense of commitment and obligation to the mission and to their constituents. And sometimes, the message gets delivered to us more directly, from board members, staff, donors and funders, and the community at large. 

So, what does this have to do with the consulting work we do at Dunleavy & Associates? For starters, we understand those pressures in ways that inform everything that we do. See, in our prior roles, my colleagues and I have sat behind the desk, looking at that proverbial inscription, as nonprofit CEOs, board chairs, development directors, and interim EDs. We don’t have to borrow your watch to tell you what time it is, so to speak, because we’ve already worn the watch.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana named Brian Thomas as senior director of foundation operations. Thomas previously served as assistant vice president of grant development at the Ivy Tech Foundation.
Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana promoted Nick Ison to senior director of philanthropy. Ison previously served as the director of institutional giving.
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana promoted BranDon Driver to retail regional director. Driver previously served as an assistant site leader for the organization.
Health Care Education & Training (HCET) has named Cara Berg Raunick as the director of the Midwest Trauma-Informed Training Center. Berg Raunick will also continue in her previous role as HCET's director of clinical quality and advancement.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Damar Services received nearly $800,000 from a Lilly Endowment grant to combat the shortage of medical professionals who care for children with autism. The new program will offer nine to 12 months of paid training, certification, and entry-level employment as registered behavior technicians at Damar. Read more

Lilly Endowment Inc. is awarding the largest single gift in its history to support READI 2.0. Funds will support investments in communities throughout the state focused on blight remediation and redevelopment, public arts, and cultural initiatives. Read more

CEMETS iLab Indiana, a newly formed coalition to address the state's workforce crisis, aims to create a statewide plan focusing on increasing the number of available youth apprenticeships to ensure that every student and adult learner in Indiana has access to high-quality education and training options by 2034. Read more

Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute has selected 22 exceptional Hoosiers for the 2024 class. This initiative is dedicated to enhancing the skills of professionals in leadership roles within Indiana's philanthropic sector. See participants

The City of Fishers entered into an agreement with the Indianapolis Art Center to operate the new Fishers Art Center, scheduled to open in June. Fishers Art Center will be part of the new City Hall & Art Center, located on the site of the former Fishers City Hall at 1 Municipal Drive. Learn more

United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) is accepting applications for Propel. Human service organizations can pitch their ideas on how to reduce barriers for those from under-resourced communities or asset-limited backgrounds. The event is open to nonprofits serving residents in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan or Putnam counties. Application due Feb. 12

Indy Arts Council announced the full schedule for Art & Soul 2024, including naming this year’s four Featured Artists. Each year, the festival kicks off Black History Month and features public events that celebrate Black visual art, music, dance, and literature.

Indy Free Tax Prep open house will be Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to noon at the John H. Boner Community Center, 2236 E. 10th St. The program provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families with a household income of $66,000 or less. Presented by United Way of Central Indiana and John Boner Neighborhood Centers. Additional information
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Emotional intelligence: Your way to employee retention webinar on Feb. 7 at Noon. Learn strategies to grow emotional intelligence and the impact EQ has on employee retention. Hosted by HR Nonprofit Peer Group. Cost: Free. Register

How to harness power and be an effective social changemaker webinar on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. Learn what successful change agents do differently, including how to harness power for a positive impact on individuals, organizations, and society. Presented by Stanford Social Innovation. Cost: $99. Register

Proven strategies for connecting with major donors webinar on Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. Learn from two veteran fundraisers how to attract support from wealthy individuals, proven ways to keep them in the fold, and how to deepen ties with them in the year ahead. Presented by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $69. Register

Measuring the social capital of people and places webinar is on Feb. 20 at Noon. As part of the Philanthropy Research Workshop Series, Scott Winship will summarize his work to develop social capital indicators for places and for individuals. Presented by IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Cost: Free. Register
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Brooke's Place for Grieving Young People, Inc. needs support group facilitators for their Westside, Eastside, and Northside program nights. Volunteers will provide a safe and supportive environment for children, ages 3-29, and their immediate caregivers to grieve the way they need to grieve. Volunteers must be 16+. No counseling background is required. Training provided. Learn more
RESOURCES
From digital platforms to cultivating meaningful donor relationships, explore how you can make 2024 a year of positive change and sustainable growth for your nonprofit.
Did you know that 5% of one-time donors felt like the nonprofit they gave to didn’t need them? Learn about donor appreciation key takeaways, channels of communication and involving your board in donor appreciation.
SPONSORS' INSIGHTS
MARKETPLACE
Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.

REAL ESTATE
Grow your organization in a cost-effective, collaborative space that supports your unique needs. Refinery46 goes beyond physical space to focus on you and your organization. In addition to promoting a collaborative and inspiring environment, Refinery46 delivers a full-service workspace for founders, teams, and individuals. Learn more. Visit Refinery46.com, call (317) 762 4646, or email Community Manager Addison.
Nonprofit office space in great location (Butler University area)
Indiana Interchurch Center, which is centrally located in Indianapolis at 1100 W. 42nd St., has available office spaces ranging from 200 to 1,600 square feet for 501(c)3 organizations. Free parking, utilities, high-speed internet, and shared meeting rooms are included. The facility is home to a diverse group of nonprofit and church organizations that are making an impact in the community. Contact Kris Keys or call (317) 923-3617.
Nexus coworking spaces available
Need an affordable, community-oriented work environment? Nexus currently has open desks and dedicated desk options available in its shared coworking space. Month-to-month memberships include free meeting room credits, high-speed internet, printing, and coffee. Nexus members consist of small business owners and nonprofits that are making a positive difference in Indianapolis. Monthly memberships range from $59 to $149. Learn more
CHARITABLE ADVISORS FEATURED JOBS
JOBS
Executive Leadership (CEO/ED/COO)

Executive Director - Connection Ministries

Director of Operations & Events - Lawrence Township School Foundation

Executive Director - CenterPoint Counseling - Second Presbyterian Church


Fund Development/Marketing/PR/Advocacy

Marketing Specialist - Lawrence Township School Foundation

Annual Fund Gift Officer - Little Red Door Cancer Agency

Director of Major Gifts - Damien Center

Development Officer - Kiwanis International, Inc.

Donor Engagement Officer - Gleaners Food Bank


Giving Strategies Officer - Central Indiana Community Foundation

Vice President, Advancement - Simon Youth Foundation

SPARK Communications Coordinator - Transform Consulting Group

Development Officer - Indiana University School of Medicine

Fund Development and Grant Manager - Fathers & Families Center



Admin Support/Clerical

Indiana Development Coordinator - The Nature Conservancy in Indiana




Finance/Accounting/HR/IT/Facility



Data/Research/Quality Assurance




Programs/Program Support


Director of Horticulture and Landscape - Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc.

Operations Manager - The Polis Center

Program Assistant - Indiana Association of School Principals

Restorative Justice Coordinator - Domestic Violence Network

Events Coordinator - American Legion Auxiliary




Community Building Specialist - Trinity Haven, Inc.

Youth Engagement Specialist - Trinity Haven, Inc.

Pacers Bikeshare Outreach and Education Manager - Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc.