September 10, 2024

By Mirror Indy

Every Tuesday morning, Post Road Laundry transforms into a bustling hub of community support, thanks to the nonprofit Laundry & More. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the eastside laundromat buzzes with activity as Laundry & More provides free laundry services, including detergent and dryer sheets, to those in need. The program has become an essential resource for local families, offering not only clean clothes but also access to critical services like STI testing and food distribution. Read more

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By Kara Harrison, Hedges

My mom taught me how to read a map as her co-pilot on a road trip to Maine when I was about 13 years old. In my world at the time, GPS didn’t exist, and that map was our only guide as we navigated along the East Coast. Little did I know at the time that I was learning a fundamental skill of nonprofit management, simply knowing where we want to go isn’t enough. We must also have a clear roadmap for how to get there. Every organization aspires to achieve its goals, which define its impact and success. However, without a proper strategic plan, even the best intentions can fall short.

We all have experienced it at some point, the Strategic Plan that never gets discussed or implemented. At Hedges, we believe a strategic plan that is created through an inclusive and destination-driven process is key to consistently implementing the strategic plan you worked so hard on.

So, how do you develop a strategic plan that truly works? Here are 6 Success Factors to a strategic planning process that can set your organization on the right path:

1. Aligned with Vision, Mission, & Values

When thinking about your process, consider how it connects back to your organization’s vision, mission, and values. Grounding your planning efforts in these core elements helps individuals and teams see how their work contributes to their greater purpose.

• Does your organization have current versions of your Vision, Mission, and Values statements?
• Is everyone involved in planning familiar with the current version of your Vision, Mission, and Values statements?
• How will your strategic plan goals and strategies be checked against your Vision, Mission, and Values before being finalized?

To ensure alignment with the organization’s core principles during the planning process, it’s essential to review and integrate the Vision, Mission, and Values statements into every step, ensuring that the strategic goals and strategies are consistent with these guiding elements before finalization.

Read more

Early Learning Indiana hired Tony Felts to lead their marketing, communications, development, and community engagement teams. Felts previously served as vice president of communications at Elevance Health.

Joy's House promoted Noah Taylor to the role of advancement manager. Taylor previously served as the marketing coordinator. 

Indiana Canine Assistant Network named Samantha Wodecki as the director of philanthropy. Wodecki previously served as the director of annual giving at Butler University. 

Brightlane Learning hired Candace Davis as an education support coordinator. Davis also works as an English teacher.

The National Park Service is set to receive the largest grant in its history, a $100 million gift from the Lilly Endowment to benefit U.S. national parks. The money will be used to address the needs of the country’s more than 400 national park sites. Read more

Foster Success announced that more than 250 Indiana students were funded through the education and training voucher program. The initiative provides young adults with financial, academic, and human support when transitioning from foster care to higher education. Read more

The Kiwanis Foundation of Indianapolis is accepting applications from local non-profit organizations for a grant of up to $5,000 to test, launch, or expand a program that directly impacts youth in Marion County. Apply by Oct. 14.

The IU School of Philanthropy and the Science of Philanthropy Initiative are providing an opportunity for local nonprofits to be paired with a researcher to try something new to help their fundraising efforts. An award of up to $2,500 will be made to multiple NPO/research partners. If you are interested in participating, complete the questionnaire

The IndyGo Foundation is thrilled to invite local 501(c)3 nonprofits to apply for its 2024-25 Bus Fare Grant Program, which awards up to $4,000 in transportation funding to each selected organization. Apply PR-Bus-Fare-Grants-8-22-24_AN-Edits-2.pdf

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Champions of Diversity Awards, celebrating individuals of all backgrounds who have made a significant impact in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their Indiana communities. Presented by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine and Minority Business Review. Nominations are due by September 16.

Indy Arts Council announces the 2024 ARTI Award winners & performers, who were recognized at the annual Start with Art celebration. The awards are presented each year with the generous support from the Central Indiana Community Foundation. See the 2024 winners and learn more

Planning effective programs on Sept. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Library. In this workshop, you will discover the main components of a solid program plan that will allow your organization to provide quality services to your community. Presented by the Indianapolis Public Library. Cost: Free. Register

The future of work for nonprofit leader’s webinar on Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. As advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation reshape the nonprofit sector, understanding the future of work can help your organization prepare for what’s next. Presented by Tech Impact. Cost: Free. Register

Mastering employee experience and retention: Strategies for the modern workplace webinar on Sept. 18 at noon. Explore the interconnected world of employee engagement, workplace culture, and retention tactics that can transform your organization. Earn one SHRM professional development credit. Presented by InvigorateHR. Cost: Free. Register

Nonprofit innovation and optimization summit on Sept. 18-19. This summit offers innovative insights to optimize your nonprofit’s marketing and outreach efforts. Industry leaders and attendees come together to spark imaginations and reinvigorate their passion to make a difference by rethinking their approach to fundraising. Presented by NextAfter. Cost: $1,295+. Register

Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy annual conference on Sept. 19-20 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport. Learn about trust-based relational intervention and more. Presented by Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy. Cost: Varies. Register

Building a thriving board interactive virtual training on Oct. 3 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. In this session, individuals looking to improve the composition and functionality of a nonprofit board will learn best practices in recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, and how to build a thriving Board culture. Presented by Hedges. Cost: $90. Register 

2nd Chance Indiana needs coaches to work one-on-one as they walk with reentrants following release from incarceration. Volunteers teach reentrants how to register on the website as a job applicant, how to conduct job searches, how to apply for jobs, how to interview, how to become a valued employee, and how to find the service providers as well as the other resources that they will need to settle into the community. Training is provided. Learn more and register

Google.org reimagines its role in the A.I. era

During an impact summit held in Sunnyvale, Calif., the tech giant’s philanthropic arm announced several initiatives, including a $17 million program to help nonprofits learn A.I. skills. Read the article for free by signing up

Your ultimate guide to 2024 year-end fundraising: 5 principles for success

On average, most organizations raise up to 30% of their annual budget in December. This guide offers practical strategies to help your nonprofit maximize its efforts during the crucial calendar year-end period.