June 24, 2025

Written by Guadelupe Pimentel Solano, Program Director, Herbert Simon Family Foundation; and Erin Tanner, CICF Chief Financial Officer  

Uniquely, the Central Indiana region committed to a robust nonprofit landscape in its earliest years. Over the decades, Central Indiana became home to an impressive number of service-minded, charitable organizations.  

This year, of course, three major challenges have imperiled that landscape: Major cuts to government funding; socio-political pressure around race, immigration and gender; and a volatile market impacting philanthropic giving. Our region’s nonprofits and philanthropic sector are both on high alert.  

While increased philanthropic giving will be critical to the continued survival of many nonprofits in this era of instability, it may not be enough for every organization that experiences funding cuts from government sources. 

Read More  

I know it’s not exactly thrilling to talk about IT when your real passion is serving people, feeding families, or changing lives. But here's the thing: like everything else in 2025, that mission we’re so fiercely chasing? It runs on tech.

And when that tech breaks? It’s rarely during a stable, comfortable week.

You’re Not Alone

Lately, I’ve been hearing the same story from nonprofit leaders:

“We were hoping to upgrade our systems next year… but then the device gave up during our donor event.”

“We’d planned to apply for a grant to replace those aging laptops. Then our finance leader had to duct-tape hers just to finish payroll.”

“We were prepared to refresh our gear with modern equipment, but the grant we expected to help was denied.”

Yup. We’ve been there. (And no judgment—we’ve also used duct-tape from time to time. When there was no other option, of course.)

Between rising IT costs and an increasingly packed grant applicant pool, it’s no wonder you’re trying to make old equipment last “just one more quarter.” But while duct tape fixes a lot, it can’t secure your network. Or protect your data. Or stop that growing sense of please don’t lock up every time you open your laptop.

Read more

Submitted by Schunk Moreland Strategies

Engaging board members in the strategic planning process is essential to building not just a solid plan, but a stronger organization. This guide outlines five key practices that invite nonprofit boards to be active thought partners from the very beginning. Rather than simply approving a final draft, board members should help shape the plan’s foundation—starting with a shared understanding of the organization’s mission, vision, and values. This co-creation process lays the groundwork for long-term ownership and alignment.

Board involvement also brings valuable perspective to strategic assessments. Through tools like SWOT analysis, board members can offer external insights—such as community needs and funding trends—that complement staff expertise. When strategy development is framed as an open conversation, board members can contribute meaningfully to key decisions and priorities. At the same time, understanding the difference between governance and implementation ensures that everyone stays in their lane—working collaboratively without overstepping. Lastly, keeping the plan front and center in ongoing board meetings helps maintain momentum, accountability, and real-time responsiveness.

Download the guide

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

The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust has promoted Ivett Cuen to director of grants administration. Cuen was previously the grants program officer.

Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences has promoted Megan Purcell to clinical professor. Purcell previously was a clinical assistant professor.

Girl Scouts of the USA has named Danielle Shockey chief experience officer. Shockey previously was chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.

Columbus Regional Health named Tonya Hand as the foundation president. Hand previously was the chief development officer at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.

The Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded more than $3 million in grants to regional nonprofits, including a public art initiative in Muncie that combines legacy giving with community revitalization. The project, led by local leaders, artists, and philanthropists, showcases how rural creativity and strategic investment are shaping a vibrant cultural future. Read more

The Kendrick Foundation awarded $621,586 to Adult & Child Health, Centerstone, and Youth First for the first year of its school-based mental health initiative 2.0. The three-year initiative aims to improve access to mental health services for students in Morgan County public schools. Read more

Women’s Fund of Central Indiana has awarded six inaugural grants totaling $260,000 through its new Women in Health Collaborative Fund. The participatory grantmaking model engages women in healthcare to improve health outcomes for women and girls in Central Indiana. Read more

The Pacers Foundation and Gleaners Food Bank are partnering to fight hunger in Indiana. In the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Thought Leadership Roundtable, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle and Gleaners CEO Fred Glass discussed Drive & Dish, a food insecurity initiative launched in Indianapolis that is now expanding statewide. Listen to the podcast

Get ahead of fall hiring with Charitable Advisors’ nonprofit job board—where mission-driven professionals are already looking. With over 5,000 monthly visitors, your posting reaches candidates who are passionate about making a difference. Learn more

Essential Techniques for Grant Writing Success webinar on June 25 at noon. Discover advanced techniques for identifying suitable grants and crafting effective proposals. Presented by Forvis Mazars. Cost: Free. Register

Finding Excellence in Overlooked Candidate Pools webinar on July 16 at noon. Explore proven strategies to identify, attract, and successfully onboard talent from underutilized pools that your competitors may be overlooking. 1 PDC for SHRM-CP^® or SHRM-SCP^® recertification. Presented by InvigorateHR. Cost: Free. Register

Quarterly Perspectives: Financial Reporting & Beyond webinar on July 17 at 11 a.m. A moderated discussion will break down developments from FASB, AICPA, SEC, PCAOB, and other relevant standard setters for the second quarter of 2025 and what they could mean for your organization. Presented by Forvis Mazars. Cost: Free. Register

Security Behaviors to Protect Your Nonprofit webinar on July 17 at 1 p.m. For general staff who need a refresher on security best practices while using a computer. Presented by Promethius Consulting. Cost: Free Register 

Plan Now for Big Gifts at Year’s End webinar on July 24 at 2 p.m. Learn smart ways to map out donor meetings, craft compelling messages, and track key metrics to ensure you hit your 2025 goals. Presented by Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $69. Register

INCPAS Not-for-Profit conference on July 24 at 502 East Event Centre, Carmel. Presented by Barnes Dennig and INCPAS. Cost: Nonprofit $249/ Reduced rates for groups. To see topics, breakout sessions, continuing education credits, and registration

Indy Hygiene is seeking volunteers for its 5th Annual Back to School Bash, set for July 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of NW Mercy Road Church, 9511 Angola Court. The organization also needs ongoing volunteer support for Stocking Days, Pantry Days and other events. Learn more and register

Westminster Neighborhood Services is seeking volunteers for its Back to School Bash on July 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The annual event provides students in need with school supplies, backpacks and other resources to help them start the year prepared and confident. Volunteer duties include distributing supplies and assisting families as they select items for their children. Register

How Board Chairs Foster Board Engagement

Successful organizations have engaged boards with members who are passionate about the organization’s mission and collective purpose, ask challenging questions, make informed decisions, collaborate with each other, and promote the organization and its work to their networks.

New Hire Integration: Start Here When Onboarding a New Employee 

Onboarding new hires at an organization should be a strategic process that lasts at least one year, staffing and HR experts say, because how employers handle the first few days and months of a new employee's experience is crucial to ensuring high retention. 

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