June 17, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS — Leadership Indianapolis will host its annual Get on Board event on Monday, June 23, at Newfields, bringing together more than 130 nonprofit organizations and hundreds of community members looking to make a difference.

Presented by AES Indiana, Get on Board serves as a gateway for individuals to explore nonprofit leadership, committee service, and volunteer opportunities across the city. From arts and education to housing, health care and environmental advocacy, participating organizations span a wide range of missions.

The event offers a rare opportunity: a one-stop setting where people from all backgrounds can connect directly with nonprofits and discover how their time, skills and experiences can support meaningful change.

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By Jodell Renn, Assurance Services Associate Director

Nonprofit organizations face unique vulnerabilities to fraud. While focused on their charitable missions, many nonprofits operate with limited resources, staff, and oversight, creating an environment where fraud can flourish undetected. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) 2024 report, nonprofits incurred a median loss of $76,000 due to fraud and were more frequently fined by authorities for noncompliance related to fraud than other types of organizations. 

The Vulnerability of Trust

From employees who embezzle funds to criminals who exploit disasters for profit, charitable organizations are vulnerable to many types of fraud schemes. Perpetrators use various methods to deceive donors and charities, threatening the ability of these organizations to carry out their philanthropic missions. 

Nonprofits often operate on a foundation of trust, but this very trust can become a liability. The recent case of Feeding Our Future highlights how vulnerable charitable organizations can be. In this massive scheme that defrauded the U.S. government’s child nutrition program of $250 million, the organization’s founder and others diverted funds meant to feed children during the pandemic to purchase luxury items, real estate, and international travel.

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Submitted by Charitable Allies

Volunteers are the backbone of many nonprofit organizations. They give their time, energy, and passion to causes they believe in. But while they’re selfless, the legal realities surrounding volunteers are anything but simple. As a nonprofit leader, you need to make sure your volunteer program is both legally sound and aligned with your mission. Documents like a volunteer agreement, a code of conduct, or safety policies can give your nonprofit the protections it needs. Let’s break down the essential documents and policies that you need to keep your volunteers safe, compliant, and empowered.

1. Volunteer Agreement: Why You Need One

A volunteer agreement isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s a safeguard for your nonprofit and your volunteers. Ideally, it should clearly outline expectations, responsibilities, and legal protections for both parties. This document sets the tone for your volunteer relationship, ensuring there is a clear understanding of all parties’ rights and responsibilities. It is important to understand that this is different from just the volunteer policies. Policies communicate the rules, while agreements communicate the roles and obligations. Agreements are the documents that staff or volunteers sign to acknowledge and agree to these policies. Or, depending on the project, it may be a release of liability or a commitment to a certain task. Having volunteers sign an agreement will protect your nonprofit from liability in the event something goes wrong with a volunteer. 

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

Kristy Hayes has been promoted to executive director of the Village of Merici Inc., effective July 1. Hayes previously served as community engagement manager.

Conquer Paralysis Now has announced the appointment of Britt Sutton as its new chief executive officer. Sutton was previously CEO and president of ArtMix.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Johnson County has named Kelly Wright as director. Wright is the founder and principal consultant of PRISMA Solutions and previously served as vice president of operations for LUNA Language Services.

Josh Abel has joined the Indiana University Foundation as its executive vice president and general counsel. Abel was previously general counsel and director of grants administration at the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. —Inside Indiana Business

Joanne Bennett has been named managing director at the Brown County Art Guild. Bennett was previously a general manager at the American Pianists Association.

The Live Like Lou Foundation has named Jeremy Smith as senior stewardship and development director. Smith was previously senior director of corporate and individual giving at the Mind Trust. This is a corrected announcement following an incorrect photo in last week’s newsletter.

Hamilton County Community Foundation awarded $120,000 over three years to Prevail Inc. to expand housing services for survivors of abuse, advancing healing, stability and long-term impact across Hamilton County. Read more

Little Red Door Cancer Agency received more than $2,000 from Hendricks County Community Foundation to help support critical programs and services for cancer patients in central Indiana.  

Public Advocates in Community re-Entry (PACE) has partnered with Aspire Indiana Health to bring the MACY mobile health unit to its Indianapolis campus monthly, expanding access to essential physical and behavioral health services for justice-involved individuals and their families. The initiative aims to remove barriers to care by offering on-site health exams, referrals and support in a familiar, accessible environment. Read more 

2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book indicators capture what children and youth need most across four domains: economic well-being, education, health, family and community, published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Download  

The merger between Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana and Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois is underway to increase impact across both states and ensure a smooth leadership transition following the planned retirement of the Illinois CEO. By combining forces, the organizations aim to share best practices, expand services—particularly in veterans’ housing and community programs—and create a unified, stronger Goodwill. Read more

Penrod has awarded $304,500 in grants to more than 85 Central Indiana organizations as part of its mission to support arts, culture and education—especially among underrepresented communities. Read more

Giving USA 2025: A Review of Trends in Philanthropy for 2024 webinar on June 30 at 1 p.m. Dr. Una Osili of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Lee Ernst, JGA’s CEO, will explore the insights from the report and implications for nonprofits. Presented by Johnson, Grossnickle & Associates. Cost: Free. Register

MCCOY Open House on July 1 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. See major office renovation, featuring an expanded training room, open-concept co-working space, meet some of their newest staff members, and catch up with additional staff. Register  

Attract the Right Talent: Skillful Talent Series 101 virtual training on July 8 from 1-4 p.m. This session will introduce you to the vast benefits of taking a skills-based approach to your job descriptions. Find the talent you've been missing. Presented by Institute for Workforce Excellence. Cost: Free

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Candidate Evaluation: Skillful Talent Series 102 virtual training on July 16 from 1-4 p.m. Building off the 101 session, this workshop will help you improve your interviewing process and find the candidate most likely to succeed. Presented by Institute for Workforce Excellence. Cost: Free. Register 

HIPAA Violations – Preventions, Reaction, and Compliance Training on July 16 from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Easterseals Crossroads, 4740 Kingsway Drive. Anticipated updates to HIPAA rules and how they may impact your organization. Presented by INARF. Cost: $119 INARF Member or State Partner / $219 Non-member. Register

Robert's Rules and Parliamentary Procedures on June 25-26 at IU Kokomo, 2300 S Washington St, Kokomo. Participants will learn how to use Robert's Rules of Order and basic parliamentary procedure to run meetings, take votes, keep minutes, etc. Participants who successfully complete the sessions will receive a verified skills digital badge. Presented by Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Cost: $125. Register

Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center needs volunteers to prepare meals, pack and distribute food to their neighbors during their weekly food market. Additional volunteers are needed for ELL conversation partners. Register

Run 317 needs volunteers on July 10-12 in the evening for packet pick-up, water station, course marshal, beer server, and more. Shifts last two to three hours. Register 

What Nonprofits Need to Know About the July 2025 Postal Rate Increase

The U.S. Postal Service has announced a new round of postage increases, set to take effect on July 13. The good news is that nonprofits still receive some of the deepest postage discounts available.

‘We Need to Be Strategic’: How GBH’s Leader Makes Hard Choices After Federal Funding Cuts

Susan Goldberg discusses running a nonprofit in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s attacks on Public Broadcasting Stations, among other challenges.

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