August 3, 2021
Every nonprofit needs internal and external ambassadors
by F. Duke Haddad, associate director of development, The Salvation Army Indiana Division, NonProfit PRO contributor

An ambassador is a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity, according to Google's English dictionary. An example of the term used in a sentence is “He is a good ambassador for the industry.”

Every person who works for a nonprofit or is associated with an organization internally is an ambassador of that organization by virtue of association. As an employee of The Salvation Army, I wear, with pride, a shirt with the logo of The Salvation Army. Volunteers also wear clothing that signifies an association with the organization.

People who see that clothing assume an ambassador relationship exists. Nonprofits should continually train and provide orientation to employees that states how they should act as ambassadors to the various publics they serve. Internal representatives should constantly and profoundly provide positive reinforcement. In addition to the internal ambassador notation, every nonprofit needs to continually recruit external ambassadors.

The mission ambassadors are changing the way nonprofits tell their stories, according to Fluxx. These brand ambassadors believe in the mission, goals and values of the organizations they represent. These people are the employees, volunteers, board members and community advocates that support your mission. These ambassadors volunteer their time, sit on boards, donate money, attend events and do what is necessary to propel the institution forward.

Mission ambassadors personalize your nonprofit. They help emotionally connect with your donors and supporters, but can assist your nonprofit in other ways, such as posting on social media, networking or speaking in public and writing blog posts. Your mission ambassadors fight for the organizational mission to be heard universally.

An Arizona State University publication provided research that noted board members and volunteers are not effective as community ambassadors for organizations because they do not know what the concept means. In addition, they do not have what is needed to start and do not understand why they need to do what you are asking them to do.

To transform volunteers into true ambassadors for your organization, you need to ask them to consider doing several of the following activities on your nonprofit’s behalf.

SPONSORS' INSIGHTS
Professionals share insights on how continuing education in law impacts their careers and organizations
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Christel House International has hired David Harris as executive vice president. Harris previously served as a partner for City Fund, an organization that partners with local leaders to create innovative school systems.
Leadership Indianapolis has hired Beth Perdue Outland as vice president. Outland previously was vice president of community engagement and strategic innovation at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
School on Wheels has promoted Arielle Hirt to volunteer manager. Hirt most recently served as the organization’s volunteer coordinator.
Child Advocates has promoted Jill English to chief race equity officer. English previously was the program director for interrupting Racism for Children program director.
Indiana Humanities has named Jackelinna Rodriguez as communications manager. Rodriguez previously was marketing and communications manager at the Immigrant Welcome Center.
Indiana Humanities has named Sam Opsahl as programs associate. Opsahl most recently served as a site director for the YMCA and an editorial assistant at the Indianapolis Public Library.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Healthy Hamilton County and Hamilton County Systems of Care have announced a merger, allowing the two organizations combine their efforts in addressing community gaps in health and well-being for Hamilton County youth and families. The name of the new organization is A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care. Read

Indianapolis-based Meridian Foundation has announced that applications are open for a new award, the Arago Honors. The Arago Honors celebrates innovation in the nonprofit sector. Each of the top three winners will be awarded $10,000 in 2021. Apply before Sept. 15. Read

Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis has announced the availability of education funds through the Lauter Family Scholarship, a $10,000 endowed scholarship managed by the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). The scholarship will support deserving club members with their continuing education.

The Center for Community Progress has announced that Prosperity Indiana is among the first cohort of scholarship winners through its new Land Bank Incubator Scholarship Program. Land banks are special entities, created by state legislation, that are granted unique legal powers to effectively tackle vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties consistent with community priorities. Read

Renew Indianapolis has received the maximum Community Development Financial Institution Fund Rapid Response Program grant amount, $1,826,265, for each of its two certified CDFIs, the Edge Fund and the Build Fund. Read

Looking to hire? Be a vendor at the IUPUI Part-Time Job Fair on Sept. 2, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m, at IUPUI Taylor Hall Courtyard, 830 W. Michigan St. Register

DONATION: Two tan leather office chairs. Must pick up. Call Gretchen at (317) 574-1600, ext. 100.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
United Way of Central Indiana is seeking volunteers for its Go All IN Day on Sept. 9. Browse by opportunities or organizations at https://www.volunteercentralindiana.org/partnership/
RESOURCES
A Lilly Family School of Philanthropy long-term study has shown a drop in donations from 66 percent in 2000 to 49 percent in 2018. The report attributed the shift, in part, to a growing mistrust of institutions, especially among millennials.
For most boards, succession planning involves scrambling to find a replacement, overpaying, accepting a risky outsider or promoting unqualified staff. The companies that do it right – as measured by bottom-line results – seem to share these 10 best practices.
MARKETPLACE
Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.

REAL ESTATE
MEETING ROOM OR EVENT SPACE
Space available for nonprofit in Fountain Square area

Rental spaces available for nonprofits in newly renovated 6,200-square-foot building at 2119 Prospect St. Available as a single space or two spaces with designated entrance and bathrooms, HVAC and common areas, with parking in an adjacent lot. Buildout to suit. Contact Harold Miller, 317-753-2034.
JOBS
To view all jobs, visit the Not-for-profit News jobs' board.
Executive

Executive Director - Brightwood Community Center

Executive Director - Lawrence Township School Foundation

Executive Director (part-time) - Families for HoPE, Inc.

CEO – Indy Reads


Development



Development Officer - Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis

Development Coordinator - CICOA Aging& In Home Solutions


Director of Corporate Relations - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites


Development Officer - Society of Professional Journalists

Grant Writer (Part-time) - Indiana University Kokomo


Administrative/Management/Leadership


Executive Coordinator - Indianapolis Art Center



Marketing/Communications/Events

Content Specialist - Indiana Conference of United Methodist Church

Community Navigator - Cancer Support Community Central Indiana



Human Resources

Pathways to Purpose Coordinator - Elevate Indianapolis



Information Technology

Data Systems Associate- Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF)


Programs

R.E.A.C.H. Program Supervisor - Reach For Youth, Inc.

Housing Associate - Exodus Refugee Immigration

Client Services Associate - Exodus Refugee Immigration

Behavioral Therapist - New Hope of Indiana

Campus Coordinator (part-time) - Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI)

Program, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator – Cancer Support Community Central Indiana

Weekend Assistant for Family Homeless Shelter (part-time) - Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis


Account Management/Business Development

Engagement Manager - Indiana Philanthropy Alliance


Teaching



Other

Senior Customer Service Representative - Indiana Repertory Theatre

Customer Service Representative (Part-Time) - Indiana Repertory Theatre