Our features during July and August 2023 will focus on what nonprofits should be doing to raise awareness about what they do in their communities. Visit our website to find a list of resources to support your marketing initiatives.

As the communications coordinator for Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS), Ashley Ross faces similar challenges as many nonprofit marketers.

For one, the Indianapolis-based organization has a niche targeted population — families of children who are blind or visually impaired. “Often people don't know who we are until they need us,” Ross said.

Other hurdles include raising brand awareness without the resources of many larger for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and encouraging the larger public to support a nonprofit that may not resonate with their personal interests.

VIPS has been able to make inroads in addressing all of those challenges by developing one-on-one connections throughout the community.

“The best strategy we have is creating a culture and a community within our organization that believes in our mission so wholeheartedly that it seeps into their daily lives,” she said. “Social media and marketing campaigns are extremely effective, but an important aspect is the passion surrounding the mission. If you can get a group of people to fully believe in what you do, you'd be shocked at what can happen.”

VIPS intentionally seeks opportunities to encourage a person to develop personal connections to the organization’s mission, Ross said.

On July 25, United Way unveiled its plan, Partners in Purpose, to combat poverty and make a measurable difference in our community over the next five years.

A measurable difference. In our 100+ years of existence, United Way has measured a lot of its work. In 1918, United Way measured success by counting all the dollars and coins thrown into a gigantic treasure chest on Monument Circle. Decades later, we had full-scale thermometers on our front lawn measuring fundraising efforts. Today, we have a dashboard online where you can see the community need and impact data from partner organizations updated quarterly. With all this experience and the data backing us up, we have set a bold goal of distancing 10,000 households (roughly 30,000 people) from poverty in our five-year plan.

A measurable difference. Moving beyond figures, data, and measurements, we will never lose sight of the impact United Way and its partners can make on people’s lives. Those households are made up of people, who despite working hard, might be facing evictions with nowhere to go, unable to earn more in their paychecks because they lack advanced education or credentials, missing work because they can’t find safe and affordable childcare for their kids, or constantly worried about money to feed themselves or their families.

We call our plan Partners in Purpose for two obvious reasons: to be successful in eliminating poverty, we must form and strengthen partnerships in our community to reach the measurable impact we intend. And, great partners share a purpose – to help people live the lives they are capable of living.

When I think about helping to change the trajectory of a person’s life, I think of several examples that inspire me at United Way. I think of Jami, who sought help at Stability First in Morgan County and worked so hard to get her life back on track. I think of D. Frank, who emerged from incarceration and now is a certified peer recovery coach at a local hospital, thanks to PACE. We know there are thousands of folks like Jami and D. Frank out there, needing assistance, support, inspiration and hope.

Together, with our hundreds of partners and our common shared purpose, we know we will succeed in making a measurable difference in people’s lives and throughout our community.

Learn more about United Way of Central Indiana’s Partners in Purpose Plan.

At April’s Indy Lunch for Parks event, Amina Pierson pointed at a 10-foot indoor jungle-gym and told a colleague, “I want to try that!” When others nearby weren’t ready to join her, Amina took on the challenge herself, smiling confidently when she accomplished her goal. Many in the field of community development will relate to her confidence — it is essentially required by the job. With four years under her belt as the executive director of Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation (CDC), it’s this drive to take on new challenges that continues to push Amina forward.

Pierson said that working with Martindale Brightwood CDC in her previous banking-sector role is what put the organization on her radar. In her current role, she continues to prioritize affordable housing, business development, and education for the surrounding community. A recently completed project combined several of these priorities by integrating six new units of affordable housing with a new community garden space for shared events and education.

“It’s all part of the same village,” Pierson. “We’ve improved the ability of our neighbors to live in safe, stable housing while also offering community classes these past two summers on topics such as gardening, financial literacy, farming, prescription management, and even yoga!”

The Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute is accepting applications for 2024. Potential candidates can include a senior leader or board member, or an individual who aspires to hold an executive role. Apply

More than $55 million in grant opportunities have been awarded each year by CICF, The Indianapolis Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, and IMPACT Central Indiana — a collective of philanthropic organizations committed to making Central Indiana a community where all individuals have an equitable opportunity to reach their full potential. Review upcoming grants or sign up to receive updates

The Don Wood Foundation, Questa Educational Foundation, and TPMA have launched the "Achieving Postsecondary Attainment" initiative to advance postsecondary education awareness, access, enrollment, and completion among 12 counties in Northeast Indiana. Read more 

The Indiana Bar Foundation has announced it has awarded $3.6 million for civil legal services to 13 organizations. See recipients

Nominations are open for 2024 Champions of Diversity awards, presented by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine and Minority Business Review. Potential candidates for the award recognitions include individuals who have advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Indiana community. Nominate by Sept. 29.

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ 14th annual collaboration with Crew Carwash, “Crew for Kids” event, has generated $181,706 to support mentoring relationships across the BBBS network. Over $125,000 will go directly to Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Indiana to ignite the potential of youth throughout Marion, Johnson, and Hamilton counties. Read more

Donations needed: Horizon House is seeking bottled water donations and supplies to help homeless neighbors stay hydrated during the summer months. Horizon House is located at 1033 E. Washington St.

Nonprofit staff member or leader, please complete Charitable Advisors’ “How are you doing?” survey. We want to gain insights on how employees, across all nonprofits in central Indiana, are feeling about their jobs and their organizations in 2023. We are anxious to see what has changed and what remains the same as 2021. Results will be published in the fall. Please take the survey

Lead with Purpose, an eight-session online training series, prepares individuals to apply their skills, interests, and experiences in effective nonprofit board service. The 2023 series is Aug. 10-Nov. 16 from 9:30-11 a.m. Presented by Hedges. Cost: $500 for the eight-session series, for two participants from the same organization, or $90 per individual session. Sponsors include Faegre Drinker, KSM, The National Bank of Indianapolis. Register

What's right with me? Finding your inner superhero through strengths workshop on Aug. 29 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Johnson County Armory, 325 Minuteman Way, Franklin. Learn the CliftonStrengths and how to build on what you do well and what makes you unique. The session Includes the CliftonStrengths assessment which will need to be completed prior to the workshop. Cost: $79 for the general public/ $69 for LJC and Franklin College alumni and Franklin, Aspire and IndyChamber members. Register

Grantmaking 201 session on Aug. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Learn emerging trends and learn strategies to refine the purpose, enhance the practice, and maximize the impact of your giving. Designed for professionals with two to five years of experience working within philanthropy. Presented by Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Cost: $200 IPA members/ $350 non-members. Register

Save the date for the American Evaluation Association annual conference from Oct. 9-14 at the J.W. Marriott, 10 S. West St., Indianapolis. This year’s theme is the power of story. Presented by Indiana Evaluation Association. Review event details and register

Seeking general-operating grants pre-recorded webinar. How can you make a compelling case for unrestricted support to foundation decision makers and help secure a strong future for your nonprofit? Presented by Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $89. Register

Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is seeking volunteer help for its sensory-friendly trick or treat trail on Oct. 21 from 12-3:30pm. Interested in helping? Register or email

The Junior League of Indianapolis is hosting its annual community open house event on Aug. 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Woodfield Crossing, 8425 Woodfield Crossing Blvd. Non-profit organizations are welcome to attend the open house to learn more about volunteers and grant opportunities through the organization. Email questions

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