Wheeler Mission CEO Rick Alvis reflects on decades of nonprofit service
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by Shari Finnell, editor/writer, Not-for-profit News
When Rick Alvis took over as CEO of Wheeler Mission in 1990, the challenges of homelessness seemed clear cut.
Alvis, who had previously served as CEO of an Evansville homeless shelter for 10 years, recalled the profile of the typical client at that time. “During the late ’70s and ’80s, a homeless person was really just an alcoholic,” he said. “We weren't dealing with drugs. We weren’t dealing with mental health issues. If somebody would ask me to describe what a homeless person looks like, I could quickly say it was a white male that had an alcoholic problem and actually had a skill.
“Today, you not only have alcohol challenges, but you also see drug addiction and mental health issues,” said Alvis, who recently announced his retirement from Wheeler Mission. “It has significantly shifted over the past 40 years from being a simple problem to a very complex problem because you must deal with all three of those issues.”
Under Alvis’ leadership during the past 32 years, Wheeler Mission has undergone significant changes, many of them to address the increasingly complex challenges involved in alleviating homelessness. The nonprofit organization, which had 17 employees and a budget of $700,000 in 1990, now has the distinction of being Indiana’s largest nonprofit that serves people challenged with homelessness.
Wheeler Mission, which currently has 175 employees and a budget of nearly $16 million, has navigated three mergers, expanded its reach to include women and children, implemented comprehensive programs to address the challenges of drug addiction, and launched a capital fundraising campaign that resulted in the development of the Wheeler Mission’s Center for Women & Children, a state-of-the-art building in Indianapolis that serves up to 367 women and children a day.
Leading through constant change
The ability to adapt to change, as well as proactively pursue change through innovation, has been at the core of Wheeler Mission’s growth, according to Alvis.
“As I look back, it helped me to continually look at our ministry and our programs through new eyes,” Alvis said. “One of my chief program officers always says, ‘Rick’s never satisfied with our programs. Well, that’s true. I’m never satisfied because I want to make sure that our programs are on the cutting edge. Leaders today can get bogged down with protecting the programs they created. I tell our team that it’s open season (on programs) when it comes to strategic planning. Nothing is sacred, even if I created it.”
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Considering a fundraising campaign? Key steps to ensure you are ready
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by Andy Canada, senior consultant and director of data analytics, Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates
Many organizations are considering launching a campaign in 2022. Is your organization one of them?
An important undertaking like a campaign shouldn’t be entered into lightly. How do you know if your organization is truly ready to take this important step to fund the future aspirations of your nonprofit?
Here are some key steps to be thinking about as you are moving into campaign planning. It’s important to assess both your internal readiness as an organization to successfully execute a campaign and externally the receptiveness of the potential donor base to your campaign. Both aspects are critical to the success of the campaign. The goal in your planning phase is to ensure the internal readiness and external capacity are in alignment or you have a clear line of site on what needs to be addressed as campaign planning and the early phases of the campaign move forward.
What are key elements of organizational readiness for a campaign?
Organizational alignment around a shared vision: Does your board and leadership agree on a clearly defined mission? Can you articulate how philanthropic support will enable the organization to move closer to achieving that mission? Have you identified and achieved consensus on the specific campaign priorities and levels of support needed for each? Can you inspire donors with a transformational vision of how things will be improved with their support?
It is critical during the early stages of campaign planning that your board and leadership are engaged in the process and agree on the focus of the campaign. Many organizations utilize a strategic planning process to help identify the focus areas and then outline the role that philanthropy can play in helping to achieve each of the areas that have been identified. Creating a shared understanding and buy-in of the focus of the campaign is critical to the long-term success.
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Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Dance Kaleidoscope on the return of performing Arts
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Episode 2: Join Bryan Orander of Charitable Advisors as he speaks with Dana Stone of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Kim Gutfreund of Dance Kaleidoscope. The executive directors of these organizations talk about their upcoming joint performance on May 20-22 and their return to the stage this past season. Stone and Gutfreund both took on their positions during the pandemic, taking over the reins from high profile, long-term executive directors. Since then, they have been on the frontlines of leading their organizations, connecting with audiences and supporters, and charting a new course for the future. Listen
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Ann Murtlow: Leading Change at United Way of Central Indiana
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Episode 1: As she approaches retirement, United Way of Central Indiana’s CEO Ann Murtlow gives her insights on helping the organization create a more focused strategy, embrace technology, and change its operations and a longstanding funding model. Murtlow also reflects on changes in corporate giving and the responsibilities and rewards for those who choose a career path in the nonprofit industry. Listen
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Pass the Torch for Women Foundation has promoted Samantha Burke to executive director. Burke previously was vice president of programming and development.
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The International Center has promoted Peter Kirkwood to chief of protocol. Kirkwood previously served as an international relocation specialist.
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The International Center has hired Ashlyn Karim as relocation services assistant. Karim previously was an intern for the Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigrant Services.
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The Crossroads of America Council has hired Brandon Kline as marketing and communications director. Kline previously was creative content manager for the Indiana Secretary of State. — Inside Indiana Business
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The Crossroads of America Council has hired Jason King as community relations director. King was vice president of corporate banking with Old National Bank. — Inside Indiana Business
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The Indiana Philanthropy Alliance has hired JoAnna Ness as director of community foundation programs. Ness previously was director of communications for the Steuben County Community Foundation. — Inside Indiana Business
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Leadership United is seeking corporate and community leaders interested in developing their skills as nonprofit board leaders in the Central Indiana community. Participants in the Leadership United program gain insights into the challenges facing individuals and families in Central Indiana and develop skills in nonprofit board leadership. Apply or recommend by 5 p.m. on May 20.
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana has announced plans to build and operate a certified community-based recovery housing facility for women with young children on the west side of Indianapolis. The Indiana University Health Community Impact Investment Fund awarded the nonprofit organization $1.4 million to support the new facility. Read more
Child Advocates has launched the Child Mental Health Wraparound Program, which will support Indiana children with serious mental health or behavioral challenges. The Medicaid-funded program will offer low-cost or free care to families of children who are eligible for the program. Read more
The CareSource Foundation has awarded Overdose Lifeline, Inc., a grant totaling more than $178,000 to improve the prevention of and response to opioid overdoses in Indiana schools. The funds will provide school partners with the emergency medication naloxone, connect schools to evidence-based prevention programs, and support the development of a custom training course for school staff. Read more
The Ross Foundation has recently opened the Ross Center to provide underserved families on the Far Eastside with resources focused on mental health, food security, crime prevention, reading and financial literacy, self-expression and job readiness. The Ross Center features free counseling, exercise programs for elderly residents, and a computer room. Read more
How is your organization doing? Take our nonprofit check-in survey. It’s been more than two years since the world almost seemed to stop. Today, the rhythm of life seems to be accelerating to get back to some sense of normal. But what does the new normal look like at your organization? You may be wondering the same thing about other local nonprofits. Please take 3-5 minutes to tell us how your organization is emerging from this crisis.
$75 off job ads placed by May 20 on Charitable Advisors’ job board. Use coupon code 75Off to get a discount on your next job postings. Post a job
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Strategies for recruitment & retention during the "Great Reshuffle" webinar on May 19 at 8:30 a.m. When it comes to recruiting and retaining employees in today’s environment, many organizations think they need a large salary budget to attract ideal candidates. That’s not necessarily the case. Learn what employees are really seeking. Presented by Charitable Advisors’ HR Nonprofit Peer Group. Cost: Free. Register
Are you prepared to meet the new lease standard requirements? webinar on May 25 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the CoHatch Broad Ripple, 6151 Central Ave. Eligible for 1 hour of CPE. Presented by VonLehman CPA Advisory Firm. Register
Understanding the donor journey: Insights and best practices for fundraising growth webinar on May 25 at 1 p.m. Creating innovative communication strategies that produce deep donor connections. Presented by Nonprofit Tech for Good. Cost: Free. Register
Indiana Summit on out-of-school earning here + now summit on May 24-25. Strategies to address staffing crisis, breakout sessions and networking. Cost: $50-$100. Scholarships are available. Presented by Indiana Afterschool Network. Register
Lead with purpose, a nonprofit board training program designed to prepare individuals for more effective board service, is offering a two-for-one registration special, with the support of Katz, Sapper and Miller, Faegre Drinker and First Person-NFP. The offer allows two representatives of the same organization to participate and share tools. Presented by Hedges. Learn more and register.
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New Hope of Indiana is seeking volunteers for its Camp Catalyst on June 17 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tasks include preparing activities and supplies before the camp for children ages 11-16, with and without disabilities, begins. Learn more and sign up
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A recent fundraising experiment involving Amref Health Africa found that existing donors are more likely to make larger repeat contributions to organizations when they receive communications that contain authentic stories from beneficiaries.
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The chronic underfunding of nonprofits has resulted in wages for human services workers that do not reflect broader labor market conditions and that create enormous pay disparities.
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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.
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FUND DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
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BANKING/
ASSET MANAGEMENT
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Private month-to-month offices for lease
Two furnished micro-offices and a premium suite are available at Nexus Impact Center for month-to-month rentals. Rentals include free meeting room credits, access to high-speed internet, free printing, and complimentary coffee. Tenants also have the opportunity to engage with other small businesses and nonprofits. Rates start at $393/month. https://www.nexusimpactcenter.org/offices
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NEW JOB BOARD NOW LIVE!
“I opened a new account yesterday and posted a job. It was an easy process! I appreciate this, so we can post every time we need it.”
Post your openings on Charitable Advisors’ new job board. We have transitioned to a more streamlined platform for job postings. Use the coupon code 75OFF to get a $75 discount on any job ad placed between now and May 20. View this video to learn how to set up an account and place your first job. You also can preview this step-by-step guide. Employers can continue to access their applicants on the ExactHire Job site for jobs posted through April 25. If you’re seeking a new career, create an account and apply for a job here.
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Executive Leadership (CEO/ED/COO)
Fund Development/Marketing/PR/Advocacy
Admin Support/Clerical
Finance/Accounting/HR/IT/Facility
Data/Research/Quality Assurance
Programs/Program Support
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