March 18, 2025

Chelsea Ohlemiller, Charitable Advisors

Recruiting and retaining top talent in the nonprofit sector has always presented unique challenges, but as we move into 2025, organizations are facing an increasingly competitive and ever-changing hiring landscape. Nonprofit leaders recently gathered in HR focus groups, led by Charitable Advisors, to discuss the latest trends in attracting and retaining employees, shedding light on evolving candidate expectations, salary dynamics, and the impact of AI in hiring. 

Here are the key takeaways from these collaborative recruitment and retention sessions:

The Biggest Challenges in Nonprofit Hiring

One of the most significant challenges for nonprofit organizations, particularly smaller ones, is salary competitiveness. Traditionally, mission-driven work and flexible benefits made up for lower pay, but today’s candidates expect higher salaries more comparable to those in the private sector. This shift puts pressure on nonprofits, especially those that struggle to offer competitive compensation and benefits.

Another hurdle is job titles that don’t translate well outside the nonprofit space. Potential candidates may overlook roles due to unfamiliar language, leading to missed opportunities for both the organization and job seekers.

Retention remains a concern in 2025, as competition for skilled professionals intensifies. Employees who once accepted lower salaries for meaningful work now seek higher pay and advancement opportunities, making it crucial for nonprofits to offer career growth pathways.

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Written by Jennifer Bartenbach, CEO of Central Indiana Community Foundation

In 2023, the Indy metro area not only led our state in its rate of population growth, it also led regional peer metros like Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, and Louisville.  

That year, we also discovered that the Indy metro area had also outpaced every other Midwest metro in GDP growth from 2019 to 2022—some of the toughest years in our history.  

That growth promises great benefits for our region, but only insofar as the benefits accrue to every Central Indiana county, town, neighborhood, and doorstep. 

Today, that is too seldom the case in areas like northeast Boone and northwest Hamilton counties, where half of all households in the 46069 zip code falls below the ALICE threshold (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed); or in Hancock County, where a shortage of licensed childcare is only able to serve 46% of children; or in Shelbyville, where a growing senior population contends with limited food access; or the far east and far west sides of Indianapolis, where renters face some of the highest eviction rates in America.  

Central Indiana Community Foundation is committed to a broad Central Indiana region where growth is good news for every household.

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Submitted by Charitable Allies

If your nonprofit is growing and you’re wondering what the best way to structure it to enjoy sustainable growth, our nonprofit lawyers are here to help. Below, we answer some of the most common questions our attorneys get surrounding the topic of expanding a nonprofit organization. 

• Can nonprofits have franchises? Can nonprofits have affiliates?
• How can I structure a nonprofit to have local chapters?
• What’s the best way to legally structure a multi-site church?
• How can I combine forces with other nonprofits?

From franchises to multi-site churches, we cover a high-level view of the topic but remember; this can’t substitute legal advice for your unique situation. 

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Overdose Lifeline named Madison Kelleher as director of development. Kelleher was previously the energy development grant manager at the State of Indiana.

David Sneden has been named executive director at the newly formed Indiana Legal Help starting July 1. Sneden previously served as the chief operating officer at the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society.

The Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana named Riley McCarthy to director of corporate partnerships. McCarthy was previously the manager, marketing & communications at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana.

The Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership (INHP) promoted Trevor Meeks to chief consumer solutions officer. Meeks was previously vice president of homeownership initiatives at INHP.

The Lumina Foundation has established a new goal for 75% of U.S. adults in the labor force to earn a college degree or credential by 2040. The initiative seeks to promote economic prosperity while addressing concerns about the value, cost, and job prospects of higher education. Currently, 54.9% of adults hold postsecondary credentials. To achieve this goal, the foundation plans to focus on aligning degree programs with workforce needs and increasing access to affordable, high-quality education. Learn more

Dove Recovery House for Women received more than $18,000 from the IU McKinney School of Law’s Women’s Caucus at its 47th Annual Auction. The Women’s Caucus is composed of bright, ambitious, and talented future attorneys with promising careers ahead.

Impact Housing Indiana Corp. is a new nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable, student, and market-rate housing. The organization aims to improve lives by offering essential services such as financial coaching, wellness education, and housing stability support. Learn more

A new report examines how local government officials (LGOs) perceive the importance of nonprofit organizations in providing financial support, service capacity, expertise, and policy influence, as well as how LGOs view their own government's role in supporting nonprofits. Download report

The Riley Children’s Foundation has launched a $300 million campaign, "Every Child Deserves Riley," the largest fundraising drive in Riley Children's Health's history. With more than $200 million raised, the funds will support the youth mental health crisis, recruit medical talent to Indiana, advance research, expand access to Riley Health, and provide family support. Learn more

The IndyBar Foundation is accepting applications from nonprofits for the 2025 Community Empowerment Grant. The funds must support a program that reinforces the foundation's mission and creates opportunities for IndyBar members to participate on a pro bono or modest means basis. Applications are due by May 10.

Five Crucial Topics Controllers Must Present to the CFO webinar on March 19 at 2 p.m. Explore the challenges of manual journal entries, compliance complexities, and time-consuming closing processes. Presented by Forvis Mazars. Cost: Free. Register

Tech for Good: Harnessing AI to Elevate Nonprofit Impact webinar on March 21 at 8:30 a.m. Explore innovative applications of AI that drive nonprofit success, providing attendees with tools and strategies to integrate technology into their missions. Presented by United Way of Central Indiana. Cost: Free. Register

Intro to Foundation Directory: Finding Grant Funders on March 22 from 10:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. or March 26 from 2-4 p.m. at the Central Library. Learn about this research tool that can help 501(c)(3) nonprofits find grant makers most likely to fund their projects. Presented by The Indianapolis Library. Cost: Free. Register for March 22  | Register for March 26

Federal Budget & Tax Outlook webinar on March 25 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Funders have the chance to explore how federal budget and tax policies impact philanthropic work at all levels. Presented by Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Cost: Free. Register 

Understanding What Nonprofits Say Versus What They Do When It Comes to Advocacy webinar on March 25 at noon. Dr. MacIndoe explores a paradox identified as nonprofit advocacy: nonprofit leaders often claim in surveys and interviews that they do not engage in advocacy, but often report conducting activities that qualify as such. Presented by Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Cost: Free. Register

Uncovering Donor Treasure with AI & Predictive Analytics webinar on March 25 at 2 p.m. Explore three key ways predictive analytics and AI can enhance your team’s ability to identify and engage ready and capable donors. Presented by Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates. Cost: Free. Register

Microsoft CoPilot User Group on March 25 at 2 p.m. For any level of CoPilot user and even those considering which AI tool is best. Presented by Promethius Consulting. Cost: Free Register

Automating Your Nonprofit’s AP Process webinar on March 26 at 2 p.m. Learn how BILL.com works with your accounting system to transform your AP process from paper chaos to digital zen. Presented by Dean Dorton. Cost: Free. Register

Asset-Based Community Development on March 26 from 2-4 p.m. at the Sol Center, 708 E. Michigan Street. Learn to strengthen relationships, build trust, and develop initiatives that are not only impactful but also deeply relevant to the communities they serve. Presented by Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center. Cost: $175. Register

Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Center seeks volunteers to support riders with disabilities in a safe, encouraging environment. Roles include barn work, horse care, and rider assistance. No experience needed—training provided. Volunteers must be 16+. Learn more

NAMI Indiana seeks caring volunteers for NAMI in the Lobby, supporting families in mental health crises. This program is ideal for individuals with lived experience, particularly those who have supported a loved one through mental health challenges—especially parents of children or young adults. The upcoming volunteer training on June 22 from 10 am to 4 pm will equip new volunteers with the skills needed to provide meaningful support. To apply or contact Miranda Dehaai

How AI is Shaping and Securing Philanthropy

Despite AI's growing adoption, many nonprofits lack proper protections, controls, and policies to secure operations and safeguard donor and partner data. This article serves as a primer for philanthropic leaders navigating AI adoption within their organizations.   

The Case for Sabbaticals — and How to Take a Successful One

Research and interviews with more than 250 sabbatical-takers reveal the key attributes that define these breaks, the three distinct sabbatical types, and the hurdles one must overcome to persuade bosses, colleagues, and yourself that it’s a good idea.

SPONSORS' INSIGHTS

Forvis Mazars 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Report 

Kristen Schunk Moreland The Importance of Metrics in Strategic Planning: What Gets Measured, Gets Done  

CHARITABLE ADVISORS FEATURED JOB POSTINGS

Chief Executive Officer - Family Promise of Hendricks County

Executive Director - Pink Ribbon Connection