Don’t rebuild, upbuild! Reimagining nonprofit infrastructure
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by Tiloma Jayasinghe, Nonprofit Quarterly
“Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it.” — Arundhati Roy
We’ve been through it all—a terrorist attack, a flood, a hurricane, multiple global financial crises, political crises, an uprising against racism and police brutality, and a global pandemic. Time and again, we’ve come together to rebuild our cities, our missions, and our goals for social progress. This time it’s different: we’re not going to go back to what was. We’re going to create what can be. For nonprofit capacity building, this means that this time, we’re going to upbuild.
What upbuilding means
Here’s an example of how upbuilding is different from rebuilding: In the aftermath of a hurricane, where homes are destroyed, rebuilding means that we repair the damage, replace the windows, the roof tiles, the siding, and install a sump pump. We try to get the homes back to the state that they were in before the hurricane.
If we use upbuilding as our frame, we recognize that these homes were built on low-lying land that is now eroding. We see that the median income of people living in those homes was dramatically less than those in higher, more inland properties. We see the difference in the races of people living there. Upbuilding after a hurricane requires us to employ soil preservation techniques, build hurricane resistant homes more inland or upland on land made affordable and accessible, institute measures to address the climate change roots of hurricane frequency and intensity, and ensure that resources distributed to that community are distributed equally to provide access to those who may be marginalized because of age, ability, race, and other factors.
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As part of The First Day Podcast, the director of The Fund Raising School, Dr. Bill Stanczykiewicz, sat down with Dr. Una Osili, associate dean for research and international programs for the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to preview a new report on engaging donors of color.
The report provides tremendous insight into the ways that communities of color shape American philanthropy. A full transcript is provided below or you can watch the podcast here.
Bill Stanczykiewicz: What fundraisers need to know about everyday donors of color. I am Bill Stanczykiewicz. This is the First Day from The Fund Raising School, and I’m joined once again by my colleague, Dr. Una Osili.
Una is the associate dean at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where she oversees our research team as well as our international work across the world, and Una, it’s so great to have you with us. There’s a new study, Everyday Donors of Color, that your team has put together. What do fundraisers need to know?
Una Osili: First, thanks, Bill, for having me. And this is really a pivotal moment, as all of us know, for philanthropy and for our country and the world. Over the past year, we’ve had a global pandemic, we’ve had a global racial and social justice movement, and this study was really conducted to understand how donors of color are responding to these crises, multiple crises in communities, how their giving is changing in the wake of the current crisis that is still unfolding in many communities across the country, and what the nonprofit sector, and especially fundraisers need to know.
So, I will try to summarize very quickly. It’s an in-depth national study that was fielded in partnership with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. We also conducted focus groups with over 60 donors of color from all different backgrounds —African American, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic or Latinx donors, as well as a range of other groups that really showcase the increasing diversity of our nation. There are lots of takeaways from this report.
Number one is that generosity spans race and ethnicity. We find generosity in every community across this country, all different backgrounds. That’s important for fundraisers to understand … generosity is not specific to any racial or ethnic group. It really does span boundaries.
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Simon Youth Foundation has named Andrea Neely as president and chief executive officer of Simon Youth Foundation. Neely previously served as the regional development director for United Negro College Fund.
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Easterseals Passages of Columbia City, Ind., has named Rachel Pemberton as executive director. Pemberton previously was senior director of operations at Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana.—Inside Indiana Business
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Indiana University Health’s Mosaic Center for Work, Life and Learning has hired Starla Hart as director. Hart also serves as the director of community initiatives for 16 Tech Community Corp.
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Aspire Indiana Health has hired Dr. Wayne Hoye as a clinical psychologist. Hoye has had extensive experience in both clinical and academic settings, with a recent focus on integrated primary care.
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The Indiana Osteopathic Association has hired Larry Drechsler as membership engagement coordinator. Drechsler previously was president of the Delta Sigma Phi chapter at Ohio Northern University.
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Northwest Indiana Community Action has hired Jennifer Trowbridge as president and chief executive officer. Trowbridge previously served as senior director at Caregiver Homes in Merrillville.—Inside Indiana Business
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Leadership Hendricks County is accepting applications for its adult leadership class of 2022. Participants will attend a retreat and engage in a team project that addresses a need in the community. Applications are due by Dec. 1. Apply
Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis is accepting letters of interest for its 2021-2022 grant season. Nonprofits with a focus on the arts, culture and preservation, education, the environment, animal welfare, family, and health and wellness may apply for high impact grants. An informational session is scheduled for Dec. 2 and 3 at 3 p.m. More information
More than 1,000 people and their canine companies participated in IndyHumane’s 18th Annual Mutt Strut, the nonprofit animal shelter’s signature fundraiser. The event at Victory Field generated more than $140,000 in donations for the shelter. Read more
Strengthening Indiana Families in Anderson recently celebrated the opening of a new family resource center in Madison County. The center, which is located at the Anderson Branch YMCA, provides resources for families, including financial literacy, food, legal services, mental health services and nutrition classes. Read
The Indianapolis Bar Association is offering free wills and advance directive clinics this fall for individuals whose income levels is at or below the federal poverty guidelines. Apply
Marion County residents can apply for full year of rental assistance under the IndyRent program. Applications are now being accepted for up to 12 months of rental assistance, which effectively extends the duration of the program’s aid for applicants by nine months. Read
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Fundraising essentials for board members webinar on Nov. 4 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. During this session, participants will gain critical insights on how to fulfill the fundraising responsibilities of nonprofit board membership. Offered by Hedges, with presenting sponsors Faegre Drinker and Katz, Sapper and Miller and supporting sponsor FirstPerson Advisors. Cost: $60. Register
We are the change we’ve been waiting for: A practical guide to social change hybrid event on Nov. 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The event, which includes a panel discussion featuring local activists and small group discussions, provides strategies on how to effectively confront societal challenges. Presented by Spirit and Place Festival. Cost: Free. Register
Interrupting racism for children on Nov. 15 -16 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Child Advocates, 8200 Haverstick Road, Suite 240. This workshop helps participants understand what it takes to move from awareness to action in combatting racism, creating a future where race does not predict a child’s life outcomes. Cost: Free. Presented by Child Advocates. Register
Charitable giving: 7 key takeaways for faith-based organizations webinar on Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. Fundraising expert Carla Maxwell Ray provides insights on recent data from The Giving Institute at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Cost: Free. Presented by Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Register
Activating board committees webinar on Nov. 18 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Participants will learn how to maximize productivity through board committees and gain insights on leading practices for effective committee functionality and leadership. Offered by Hedges, with presenting sponsors Faegre Drinker and Katz, Sapper and Miller and supporting sponsor FirstPerson Advisors. Cost: $60. Register
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The Home1st Foundation, which serves the 46218 neighborhood and surrounding areas, is seeking to diversify and grow its board. For more information, contact ALB@home1st.org or visit www.home1st.org
Volunteer are needed for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2022. To earn more about different fundraising opportunities in concessions, email imsconcessions@levyrestaurants.com
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Local nonprofits have placed "charging stations" around Nashville for state workers, including Department of Children's Services caseworkers, to recharge.
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Regular feedback from leaders and encouraging feedback up the ladder can help retain employees and make them feel valued.
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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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