Over the last several years, the phrase “narrative change” has consistently gained popularity within the social sector. It’s not hard to understand why either. We live in an exceedingly noisy era for information where there are limitless news sources and channels for receiving it, a time when “alternative facts” are a device yielded by some for political weaponization, and when very recent history is often rewritten (or at least there are attempts at doing so).

It is in part for these reasons that many philanthropic institutions imbued their work with “narrative change” efforts in the hopes that unfavorable narratives impeding progress on any given issue would be resolved, and in their place, more favorable narratives would emerge for public consumption. 

In some cases, foundations sought to achieve narrative change with one-off grants, others by deeply investing in narrative-intensive research. Some directed resources toward active storytelling efforts. But if the knowledge accrued during this period tells us anything, it is that narrative change is exceedingly difficult and requires a pronounced effort to gain traction.

Collaboration. Relationships. Connections. Alliances. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, these are all words that are synonymous with partnerships. Strategic community partnerships in the nonprofit sector are the key to success for many reasons including:

In fact, of 1,192 grant makers surveyed by the Urban Institute, 69 percent reported that they actively encourage collaboration among grantees. Of those respondents, 42 percent indicated they often require partnerships as a condition for funding. Grant makers also indicated that strategic partnerships with clearly defined roles improve cooperation among agencies, leading to greater accountability, capacity building, and better program results (Mission Driven Strategies for Effective Nonprofit Program Development, Candid, 2020).

One Indianapolis nonprofit organization that has emerged as a leader in investing in the community by developing and engaging in strategic partnerships is the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE).

by Lee A. Ernst, Johnson Grossnickle & Associates

It is easy to focus only on reaching donors who make up the very top of the donor pyramid. We know that many campaigns often raise the most dollars from top donors, but we also know that we must encourage and engage donors with smaller or mid-sized gifts to build successful efforts in the future.

Millennials and Gen Xers, who are lower on the gift pyramid now, are likely to increase their charitable giving, and they will replace the Boomers who have steadily supported the nation’s charitable giving base. Therefore, your organization must implement targeted approaches to engage donors from younger generations and smaller donors now, who will one day be your top donors.

Nonprofits are seeing fewer donations from small donors. Statistics from The Giving Environment by the IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy reveal less than half of American households donate to charity. Also, donor contributions of $101 to $500 decreased by 7 percent, and contributions of $100 or less decreased by more than 14 percent, according to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project. As the number of small donors decreases, what can organizations do now to engage and grow more donors?

The University of Indianapolis recently opened the Nanci Vargus Learning Resource Center, which focuses on supporting literacy research, studying best practices to better literacy, and preparing teachers through one-on-one instruction with children for reading development. Learn more

A new tax credit worth up to $500 will soon be available to disabled Hoosiers and their caretakers in 2024 if contributions are made into an INvestABLE Indiana account. The new tax credit gives individuals with disabilities and their caretakers the ability to save money without compromising their access to public benefits. Read more

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, has awarded $500,000 to Peace Restored, Inc., a local nonprofit that supports women impacted by abuse, grief, and trauma. Peace Restored plans to expand its licensed clinical workforce with the funds. Learn more

Lilly Endowment Inc. has approved $11 million in grants to support human services organizations in their efforts to serve low-income immigrants as they acclimate to life in Central Indiana and make progress toward self-sufficiency. See recipients 

Welcome to the Board ebook. As you onboard new board members, make sure you’re setting proper expectations and providing the right information and tools for their success. Download Welcome to the Board for free 

AI @EOY: Tools for saving time and raising more at year-end webinar on Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. Learn practical tips and big-picture strategies for fundraising through the calendar year-end. Presented by DonorPerfect. Cost: $69. Register  

Avoid data pitfalls webinar on Dec. 5 from 9-11 a.m. Data can be incredibly powerful when you understand its limits. Use this module to think critically about data, making you aware of what can cause noise in data and how to use data effectively despite these limitations. Presented by SAVI. Cost: Free. Register

Actionable data to identify and engage donors: Live demo & case study webinar on Dec. 7 at noon. Learn how CICOA is using Acuity Darts custom intelligence to surface its best prospects, including connecting through messaging that speaks directly to who they are as individuals. Presented by Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates.Cost: Free. Register 

How to enhance your teaching and research with free mapping and spatial analysis tools webinar on Dec. 7 from 9-10:30 a.m. Gain insights on powerful desktop and online mapping and spatial analysis tools, data, and other related resources that can support higher education teaching and research activities. Presented by the Polis Center and the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Cost: Free. Register

SAVI Talks: Eviction session on Dec. 7 from 9-11 a.m. The Polis Center will showcase a new statewide tool to help users better understand trends and relationships between evictions and societal factors. The tool's ultimate goal is to raise awareness of evictions in Indiana and provide a resource to empower communities to instill change. Presented by SAVI. Register

2023 PowerPoint refresher series Part 2 workshop on Dec. 15 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more about the immediate and advanced features of PowerPoint. Presented by IUPUI Office of Professional Development. Cost: $75. Register

Gleaners Food Bank needs volunteers to assist clients while they visit the nonprofit’s onsite food pantry. Duties include loading cars with food and directing traffic at various points. Must be at least 13 years old. A parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18. Sign up

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Vice President - Indy Arts Council