As part of Mental Health Month, our features during May and June 2023 will focus on mental health. Visit our website to find a list of resources to support your mental health initiatives.

After the upheaval of the past few years, mental health is increasingly seen as an organizational imperative. Yet, engaging around sometimes complex mental health topics hasn’t traditionally been on everyone’s shortlist of leadership competencies essential to growth and success in a philanthropic career. It’s time to change that.

As leaders, our new job description must include promoting psychological well-being internally with our colleagues, as well as using mental health as a lens for the services we provide to the people we serve. Few leaders I know have an approach that works perfectly for everyone all the time, and I’m no exception. These are many-layered issues. That’s all the more reason why we should share our approaches and learnings.

Here are three insights I hope will spark additional thinking and action from the inside out.

As websites, social media and other online communications continue to take a growing part of our daily lives, many assume that charity fundraising is also dominated by online transactions. While it is likely that technology will eventually lead to that result, the current reality is far from it. The Blackbaud Institute, the research component of a cloud software and services company that works with nonprofits, has been measuring online giving for more than 20 years. An analysis of 4,535 organizations by this group showed that in 2021, online giving was only 12 percent of total fundraising.

This 12 percent statistic, however, incorporates a significant diversity of circumstances. For example, smaller organizations with less that $1 million had 17.8 percent of their funds raised online during 2021. In contrast, larger nonprofits of $10 million or more completed 11.1 percent of their fundraising online. There are also different experiences depending on the type or charity. Religious organizations raised 16.8 percent online while environmental groups raised 5.1 percent online during 2021.

Also, the prevalence of smart phones has impacted online giving as a growing part of online donations. Back in 2015, 14 percent of online donations were made on mobile devices. In 2021, 28 percent of these gifts were made on mobile.

For now, direct mail, fundraising events, and other fundraising methods, particularly for nationally soliciting charities, still dominate. While donors should not expect that to change overnight, the online giving trend will continue to pick up speed as younger generations of givers are more likely to make their transactions online. At the same time, charities might help encourage more growth if more charity websites were optimized for mobile devices to make it easier for donors to contribute using their phones.

There are other influences that could help grow online fundraising even faster. As reported in the NonProfit Times, new postal rate increases might loom due in part to the drop in U.S. mail volume.

United Way of Central Indiana and Indiana United Ways have released the 2023 report, “ALICE in the Crosscurrents: COVID and Financial Hardship in Indiana.” The data report represents the first look at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected many households financially. ALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, refers to people who earn more than the federal poverty level, but not enough to afford the basics where they live. Download the report

Early Learning Indiana is seeking organizations, such as social service providers, school districts, faith-based organizations, and other nonprofit organizations, to share in $50 million in grant funding. The Early Years Initiative, which is funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc., will support the development of children from birth through age three. About 200 grants are expected to be awarded. Learn more

In recognition of Joy House’s contributions to the Indianapolis community, Mayor Joe Hogsett issued a proclamation that designates May as Joy's House Caregiver Support Services Month. Joy's House caregiver support program includes end-of-life doula services, a radio show focused on caregiving, and CARE kits. The nonprofit also plans to release a web-based app later this year. Learn more

Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis, a charitable women’s giving circle, has announced that five Central Indiana nonprofit organizations will compete for a $100,000 high-impact grant at its Annual Awards Celebration. During a June event, each finalist will be given the opportunity to describe their project. One nonprofit will be awarded the top grant, while the other four finalists will receive community support grants of $13,000 each. Learn more about the finalists.

Local Initiatives Support Corp. Indianapolis has launched the Latino Business Support Network to support Latino small business owners and entrepreneurs. It is comprised of four nonprofits that want to build a stronger Latino business community. Learn more

Nexus is accepting applications for its Powerhouse cohort, a nine-month initiative designed to advance equity and inclusion on diverse boards. Ideal candidates including current nonprofit board members who have diversified and want to be intentional about equity and inclusion in the boardroom.

Cost: $150 per person. The application deadline is June 10, but applications received by May 31 will receive priority. Apply

Nominate an emerging leader for the International Center's Global Impression Award, which honors local leaders whose work directly impacts the global community within Indiana, and helps create a environment that values all cultures. Submit nominations before June 30.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credit opportunities for tax-exempt organizations webinar on May 30 at 10 a.m. Identify IRA tax credit opportunities, including which capital investments may qualify, and learn about the potential value of the tax credit. Earn 1 CPE credit. Presented by FORVIS. Cost: Free. Register

Board basics online workshop on June 13 at noon-1 p.m. Learn the board basics that will help you better understand what is expected of board members and what board members should expect of the organizations they serve. Presented by Leadership Indianapolis. Cost: $10. Register

Lead with Purpose, an eight-session online training series, prepares individuals to apply their skills, interests, and experiences in effective nonprofit board service. The 2023 series is Aug. 10-Nov. 16, from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Presented by Hedges. Cost: $500 for the eight-session series, for two participants from the same organization, or $90 per individual session. Sponsors include Faegre Drinker, KSM, and The National Bank of Indianapolis. Register

Leading your team through change webinar recording. Learn why people do and don't change at work, what your colleagues need to overcome their resistance, and how to create a communication plan to get more people engaged faster. Presented by HR Nonprofit Peer Group. Cost: Free. Watch

Easterseals Crossroads needs volunteers to help counselors at their various camps, including CampAbility, Camp FUEL, Camp MODE summer day camp, and iCan Bike. Volunteers are needed in June and July. Download volunteer information for iCan Bike. Learn more about other Easterseals volunteer programs

Minority Recovery Collective Inc. is seeking one-time and regular volunteers to serve on its board of directors and various committees to assist with community outreach, events, fundraising, and programming. Learn more

FORVIS Do “good” people commit fraud? Insights from a fraud investigator webinar

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