June 10, 2025

Brandy Jemczura, Founder and Executive Director of Seeds of Caring

What if the secret to raising kinder, more resilient, and more connected kids isn’t in the classroom—but in the community? In a time when youth mental health is in crisis and empathy is on the decline, one powerful solution is often overlooked: volunteering. This article explores how engaging kids in meaningful service not only supports their emotional and social development but also builds stronger families and more compassionate communities. Backed by compelling research and real stories from Seeds of Caring, you’ll discover why volunteering might just be one of the most impactful tools we have to raise the next generation of changemakers.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community leader, this piece will inspire you to rethink what kids are capable of—and how service can be a catalyst for empathy, purpose, and lifelong impact. If you care about the future of our children and the communities they’re growing up in, this is an article you won’t want to miss.

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By Clark Collier and Robin Elmerick, CICF Collaborative

Chances are, if you work at a nonprofit, then you have some awareness of donor-advised funds (DAFs) and how they contribute to philanthropy. If not, here’s a quick overview:  

DAFs are giving vehicles that allow donors to contribute money or assets to a fund with tax-deductible benefit; unlike private foundations, DAFs are not subject to any annual payout requirement. This allows donors to more strategically make charitable decisions and investments over time.  

It is because of that last wrinkle that some view DAFs more as a mystery than an effective giving strategy.  

But in fact, DAFs annually disburse a far greater share of their total assets than the 5% minimum of a private foundation. For example, of total DAF assets held across the CICF Collaborative (which includes the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana) the annual average giving rate is 13%. That is more than twice the minimum giving rate of private foundations. 

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

Foster Success has hired Tyler Schlup as assistant director of health and well-being. Schlup was previously a community collaboration specialist at the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project.

Pretty Passionate Hands named Chandler Jessup as organization development coordinator. Jessup previously worked as a correctional officer.

Live Like Lou Foundation named Jeremy Smith as senior stewardship and development director. Smith previously served as the senior director of corporate and individual giving at The Mind Trust.

Michelle Janney has been named to the board of trustees of the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home. Janney recently retired as executive vice president and chief operating officer at IU Health.

Stephen Moore has been named to the board of trustees of the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home. Moore recently retired as vice president of client relations, operations and compliance at Quality Building Maintenance in Indianapolis.

Stacey Woods has joined the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. Woods is director of human resources at Bell American Group/Flynn Group.

Robert Hailey has joined the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. Hailey is a community development mortgage loan officer at Old National Bank. 

Mai Hillsman has joined the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. Hillsman is an associate vice president -consumer journey owner at Eli Lilly.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust 2024 Annual Report shares the stories of the people and organizations making a positive impact in our communities. The Trust awarded nearly $23 million in grants in Arizona and Indiana, established the River Assessment Field Team program to enhance water quality testing of the White River, and invested $5.3 million in addressing the housing and homelessness crisis, among other things. View the report

Merchants Bank has secured $200,000 in grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis’ new Community Multiplier – Member Match program to support three Indiana nonprofits: RDOOR Housing Corporation, Coburn Place and Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development Inc. (HAND). The funds will help expand initiatives addressing homelessness, domestic violence and housing access across the Indianapolis metro area. Read more 

The Central Indiana Community Foundation has launched a new strategic direction, Pathways to a Stronger Central Indiana, aimed at uniting philanthropy, resources and community leadership to drive long-term regional impact. The initiative focuses on strengthening nonprofits, supporting changemakers and investing in a more equitable future for Central Indiana. Read more  

Indiana University is expanding its national presence with a new eight-story hub in Washington, D.C., designed to connect students and faculty with opportunities in government, policy and global affairs. Located near embassies and national institutions, the facility will house academic programs, student housing and events that highlight IU’s research and leadership on a national stage. Read more

Faith communities across Central Indiana, led by the Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance, are raising $270,000 to support the Streets to Home Initiative, which aims to house 350 people experiencing chronic homelessness. The multifaith effort will culminate in a weekend of action in August and complements a larger $8.1 million citywide campaign to provide permanent housing and supportive services. Read more

Attract More Funding with New 2025 Seal of Transparency webinar on June 11 at 2 p.m. Listen as experts take you through the updated process, share best practices for optimizing your profile, and show how a Seal can set you apart in a competitive funding landscape. Presented by Candid. Cost: Free. Register  

Internet Safety Community Workshop on June 12 from noon to 2 p.m. at Westfield Washington Township Offices, 17400 Westfield Blvd., Westfield. As children spend more time online this summer, it's critical for parents and caregivers to understand the growing risks of online enticement and internet predators. Presented by Child Abuse Indiana. Cost: Free. Lunch included. Register

Nonprofit Governance Training 101 webinar on June 12 at 2 p.m. Whether you're a board member, executive director, or staffer looking to boost your organization’s impact, dive into the essentials of nonprofit governance with expert guidance. Presented by Blue Avocado. Cost: Free. Register

Securing Large Grants: Strategies That Work webinar on June 12 at 2 p.m. Walk through key steps for securing big grants — including how to position your mission, communicate your vision, and engage funders as long-term partners. Presented by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $89. Register

Leading for AI: The 3 Mindsets for Thoughtful Implementation webinar on June 23 at 11 a.m. Presented by Nonprofit Learning Lab. Cost: Free. Register

Get On Board on June 23 from 4-6:30 at Newfields. This event is the place for passionate community members to connect with nonprofit organizations that power our city. Whether you’re ready to serve on a board, lend your talents to a committee, or volunteer your time, this is your one-stop shop to get plugged in and make a difference. Presented by Leadership Indianapolis. Cost: Free. Register 

Brightlane Learning needs volunteer tutors. As a Brightlane tutor for unhoused Indianapolis children, you won’t simply be helping a kid pass a test. You will help pave the way to a life of opportunity. We’ll provide the tools, training, and ongoing support you’ll need to become a life-changing force for children experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. See training dates

5 Warning Signs of Leader Burnout

How can a leader or a board charged with pursuing leader care recognize earlier symptoms of approaching or low-grade burnout, and better guard against such a fall? 

As Nonprofits Face the DEI Wars, can a “Prohuman” Approach Help?

The Prohuman Approach works on three layers: The individual, the relational, and the communal.