July 15, 2025

By Robin Elmerick, Senior Director of Effective Philanthropy, and Jennifer Turner, Vice President of Philanthropy – Central Indiana Community Foundation

For some of us in the nonprofit sector, fundraising can prove intimidating. When that happens, it’s important to remember that all fundraising does is connect a mission with needed resources through a conversation. Thinking about it in these fundamental terms can help remove the fear factor.  

Plus, in a time of grant reductions, new social policy, and economic volatility, fundraising is a valuable skill to maintain in your nonprofit. 

So, if the thought of fundraising is enough to keep you up at night, read on. It’s not nearly as scary as you think, and it’s probably your safest bet when it comes to sustainable funding. 

Prepare a Case for Support

If your organization has participated in any fundraising in the past, you may already have a “case for support”. If not, no worries. Even nonprofits who came into 2025 with a prepared case in their arsenal have likely had to revise or rewrite it since January.  

A case for support is your best, most urgent statement for why someone should give to your organization. It answers the following questions: 

• What does your organization do for the community? 
• How would funding enhance your service to the community? 
• Why is funding important NOW? 

If possible, quantify your impact on the community. Provide relevant news stories, testimony from clients or positive commentary from other donors about your organization. Paint a picture for a potential donor to easily grasp the work you do.  

Also, be transparent. Has grant funding been cut? Has new policy threatened your operations? Did you need to reduce staff? How would added funding help sustain or augment your organization so you can continue to serve? This is also an opportunity to show how your organization is pivoting to meet the moment, both from a community need standpoint and through a focus on sustainability. 

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• Key findings from Giving USA 2025: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2024 report that individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations gave an estimated $592.50 billion to U.S. charities in 2024. 
• Total giving grew 6.3% in current dollars, reaching a new high by that measure (3.3% when adjusted for inflation). A strong stock market and GDP growth helped fuel the increase in total giving, which was led by individual and corporate giving. 
• All recipient subsectors saw donations increase in current dollars. When adjusted for inflation, giving to seven of the nine categories rose, while giving to foundations remained relatively flat and giving to religion decreased slightly. 

Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy, the longest-running and most comprehensive report on the sources and uses of charitable giving in America, is published by Giving USA Foundation, a public service initiative of The Giving Institute. It is researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis. 

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Have you hired or promoted at your Central Indiana nonprofit? Submit through our online portal.

The Metropolitan School District of Washington Township has named Kelly Wittman as its director of human resources. Wittman was previously CEO of Wittman Solutions LLC.

Hope Academy Recovery High School has named Amber Jett as its director of outreach. Jett was previously a hospice liaison at AseraCare.

The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation has awarded $12.9 million to launch the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway, a statewide program offering paid, on-the-job training to high school students starting in 2026. Modeled after Swiss apprenticeship systems, the program aims to enroll 50,000 participants by 2034 and eventually expand to adults, helping bridge the gap between education and careers in fields such as banking, manufacturing, health care and IT. Read more

Marian University has launched a $137 million redevelopment of the former Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital site in Indianapolis, transforming the 22-acre property into an education and workforce hub. Backed by $38.5 million in public and private funding—including a $25 million Lilly Endowment grant—the project will offer literacy programs, early childhood education and career training in partnership with institutions like Vincennes University. Read more

Peace Learning Center, named the Indiana Fever’s nonprofit partner, will receive $23,000 from the team’s WNBA Commissioner’s Cup wins. The funds will support in-school programs that teach students conflict resolution, empathy and peer mediation. Read more

United Way of Central Indiana’s Parent Advisory Council is accepting applications for its next cohort. The council brings together parents and caregivers to advise on UWCI programs and investments and help guide the Power to the Parent Fund. Apply

The Indiana Youth Institute’s Professional Development Grants program offers up to $750 to support youth workers’ continuing education. Organizations may receive up to three grants, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply 

Through the Thriving Nonprofits initiative, ten mission-driven organizations in Marion County will receive free energy assessments and matching grants of up to $10,000 to implement energy-efficient upgrades that lower utility costs and improve building performance. The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability and IFF launched the inaugural cohort of Thriving Nonprofits, a new initiative funded by the McKinney Family Foundation. See Participating Nonprofits

Grants 201: Build Your Grant Strategy webinar on July 17 at 1 p.m. Learn to write a compelling grant application, draft a comprehensive budget, and more. Presented by Charitable Allies. Cost: Free. Register

Why Staff/Volunteer Training Matters & How to Do It Right webinar on July 30 at 1 p.m. Whether you’re welcoming new volunteers, onboarding staff, or introducing board members to their responsibilities, the way you train shapes their ability to contribute. Presented by Nonprofit Hub. Cost: Free. Register

Legislative & Executive Threats to Your Nonprofit webinar on July 31 at 2 p.m. This webinar will provide a timely overview of both legislative and executive branch threats to nonprofits including: updates on executive orders, tax bill overview, and available resources. Presented by National Council of Nonprofits. Cost: Free. Register

Intro to Generative AI for Nonprofits and Beyond on August 13 from 2-4 p.m. at the Central Library, 6th floor, Special Collections Room. Participants will learn AI fundamentals, understand prompt engineering, and apply AI towards ideas and tasks. Presented by Indianapolis Public Library. Cost: Free. Register

How to Secure Capacity-Building Grants webinar on August 14 at 2 p.m. Learn how to attract grants that support real growth. Presented by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $89. Register

Per Scholas Indianapolis needs volunteers in multiple areas, including: guest speakers for IT/cybersecurity, IT support/break-fix demonstrator, mock interviewer, mentorship, and more. Apply  

Brightlane Learning needs tutors. Upcoming volunteer tutor training dates are on July 30, August 12, and August 27. Sign up 

Post-pandemic, what has changed for the better (or worse) in your nonprofit?

While some organizations have benefited from increased flexible funding and adapted to more efficient virtual work models, others continue to struggle with financial instability, rising demand for services, and challenges in recruiting volunteers and retaining staff. 

Strategies for Surviving (and Potentially Thriving in) Uncertain Times

This article offers strategies for how nonprofits and funders can navigate political uncertainty—by adapting early, planning for multiple scenarios, communicating openly with funders, and staying mission-focused while adjusting language and expectations to preserve impact and build resilience.

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