January 7, 2025

The Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s recently released Women Give 2024: 20 Years of Gender & Giving Trends, a comprehensive study based on longitudinal data exploring how societal and economic changes—including the COVID-19 pandemic—have shaped women’s philanthropy since the turn of the 21st century. 

The Women Give 2024 report highlights the significant impact women have on the philanthropic landscape. For a deeper exploration of the trends, challenges, and actionable insights uncovered in this research, we invite you to access the full report and discover how leveraging these findings can shape a more inclusive and resilient donor community.

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Submitted by Forvis Mazers

The effectiveness of a nonprofit organization is often tied to the percentage of expenses allocated to program expenses, as opposed to administrative or overhead expenses. One belief might be that the less money spent on administrative costs, the more efficient the nonprofit operates and the more resources available to the cause. However, what might this mindset cost an organization?

Many nonprofits are tasked with tackling significant, complex societal issues. To succeed, these organizations must make the same operational investments that any other for-profit business considers valuable, such as in areas of talent, training, technology, innovation, marketing and sales (fundraising), and planning for the future. 

Below is an outline to help you understand the role of overhead costs and how changing the discourse about vital expenses within the nonprofit community may help your organization succeed.

Defining Overhead Costs

Overhead costs are the ongoing, necessary costs not directly tied to fulfilling the programs or services within your mission. This includes salaries and benefits for those who run the business side of operations (accounting, fundraising, marketing) as well as office space, technology, and professional services, including accounting, legal, and other consulting services. In addition, this includes costs related to fundraising in the form of newsletters, events, and direct mail. These are often referred to as general and administrative expenses, while others are classified as fundraising expenses, and are measured as a percent of total expenses.

These expenses differ from program expenses that directly tie to providing a program or service. These include program staff salaries/benefits, office space, and technology for these services.

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Arthur Dean Family Foundation promoted River Sturdivant as executive director. Sturdivant was previously the director of learning and impact.--Inside Indiana Business

Marc McAleavey has been appointed chief executive officer of Health by Design and the Indiana Public Health Association. McAleavey previously served as the community analysis program manager at The Polis Center at Indiana University.

Jameson Camp has named Jennifer Bergman as operations director. Bergman previously served as director of operations for Cancer Support Community Indiana. 

The Mind Trust named Martin Green as Partner, National Expansion. Previously, Green served as the chief of national expansion & impact at the Academy for Urban School Leadership. 

The Mind Trust named Georgia Lieber as Partner, North Star Fellowship. Previously, Lieber worked as the director of development and outreach at Cold Spring School in New Haven, CT.

The Milk Bank named Lindsay McGuire as assistant director of advancement - branding & outreach. McGuire was previously associate director of content and campaigns at Goldcast. 

Indiana University landed a $138 million grant from the Lilly Endowment that will fund the construction of a state-of-the-art facility to drive advancements and commercialization in biosciences and develop talent in the sector. Read more

The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation has awarded $130,000 in Community Grants to seven Indianapolis nonprofits for the 2024-25 grant cycle. Recipients include organizations addressing critical community needs such as youth legal representation, service dog training, support for teen parents, food security, therapy accessibility, trauma recovery, and bicycle education. See grant recipients

The newly formed JuJu Brents & Folks Foundation, a personal nonprofit of Indianapolis Colts’ Cornerback Julius “JuJu” Brents, hosted its first Brents & Folks Gala. The proceeds will be used to foster generational change by helping single parents navigate the challenges of parenthood independently.

The Mind Trust is now accepting site location applications for Indy Summer Learning Labs’ summer 2025 programming. Applications due January 17  

The Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation invites local, regional, and statewide economic development groups to apply for a new grant—funded by the Duke Energy Foundation and offering up to $40,000—to address childcare gaps through needs assessments, strategic planning, and innovative partnerships. Applications are due by January 31 

Marion County residents can get help paying their heating bills starting Jan. 1 through the Winter Assistance Fund. The annual program is open to Marion County residents who earn too much to qualify for government energy assistance programs but whose income is up to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level. Apply

Jumpstart your non-profit in 2025 webinar on Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. Navigating audits, reviews, and compilations and optimizing financial reporting and QuickBooks Online. Presented by Barnes Dennig. Cost: Free. Register  

Beyond the Bell 2025 Community Conversation Series on Jan. 14 from 4:45 - 8 p.m. at CAFE – 8902 E 38th Street. Hear from a panel of education experts on current issues in K-12 education. After the panel, attendees will break out into small groups to dive deeper into discussion topics like IREAD, the new high school diploma requirements, and chronic absenteeism. Dinner will be served and childcare will be available. Presented by The Mind Trust. Register

Higher education and philanthropy webinar on Jan. 28 at 1:00 p.m. Join in a discussion featuring Tade Akin Aina, the senior program director of the Higher Education and Research in Africa program at Carnegie Corporation of New York. Presented by IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Cost: Free. Register 

How to walk employees down the development path –Even when one doesn’t exist pre-recorded webinar. Join Mike Bensi for a dynamic session on employee growth and engagement. Discussion includes career advancement challenges and explores strategies for effective development conversations. Learn how to support and motivate your team, create a conversation on career paths, and implement development efforts. Presented by the Nonprofit HR Peer Group. Cost: Free. Watch

Brooke's Place for Grieving Young People, Inc. needs support group facilitators for their Westside, Eastside, and Northside program nights. Volunteers will provide a safe and supportive environment for children, ages 3-29, and their immediate caregivers to grieve the way they need to grieve. Volunteers must be 16+. No counseling background is required. Training provided. Learn more

Five Internal Controls for the Very Small Nonprofit

Clearly defined checks, balances, and procedures are essential to any nonprofit — even when your entire organization is just a handful of people with a mission

A Practical Guide To Getting And Keeping Nonprofit Volunteers

Currently, the national average value of one volunteer hour is $25.63 (more than three times the $7.25 federal minimum wage and about comparable to the average $29.80 of a nonprofit employee).

SPONSORS' INSIGHTS

Johnson Grossnickle & Associates Key Tips for Planned Giving Fundraising with Today’s Donor

Forvis Mazers Understanding State Solicitation Requirements for Nonprofits

CHARITABLE ADVISORS' FEATURED JOBS

President and CEO - Community Foundation of Wabash County