Report: Charitable giving almost back to pre-recession levels
Charitable giving in the United States continues to recover from its recession-induced slump, reaching an estimated $335.2 billion last year, a new study concludes.
Fundraising
Articles
AYS founder, CEO steps down after nearly 35 years
The after-school child services group has installed an interim leader while it searches for a replacement for CEO Ellen Clippinger.
Conner Prairie seeks funding to keep balloon ride flying
By the end of Conner Prairie’s 2014 season, about 100,000 people will have taken to the skies in its tethered helium balloon—a high-flying attraction that soared to landmark status soon after it debuted five years ago.
Zoo expecting huge boost from $26M orangutan center
The Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center opens at the Indianapolis Zoo May 24 (members get a look beginning May 21). And it’s hard to imagine a bigger zoological box-office draw than an octet of expressive, engaged, personality-overflowing primates
Julian Center reopening counseling facility
The facility closed last year in the wake of a budget shortfall. Officials now hope to better integrate counseling with services the center provides to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Channel 6 to air children’s hospital telethon with twist
Don’t expect song-and-dance routines or sob stories. And whether a certain former local celebrity will make an appearance is top-secret.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful aims to grow with city
Founded in the mid-1970s as the city’s litter-abatement agency, the not-for-profit Keep Indianapolis Beautiful has grown along with Indianapolis. Now it’s working to strengthen its relationship with volunteers and diversify its funding stream as it aims to increase its impact.
9-year-old Kokomo girl raises funds for storm victim
Kyndal Mellady decided to make bracelets and sell them for $1 apiece, allowing her to raise hundreds of dollars for a woman she didn’t even know.
Salvation Army kettles slow to fill in central Indiana
Officials blame the lackluster response on fewer people carrying cash they can drop into the buckets manned by the charity’s bell ringers.
Lechleiters, Bralys contribute $1M each to United Way
John Lechleiter, Angela Braly and two other local business leaders have pledged a combined $3 million to United Way of Central Indiana over the next four years. United Way is trying to raise $42.5 million by the end of the year.
Holiday-assistance program scrambling to help families
Less than a week before its final distribution of vouchers for needy families, United Christmas Service is $285,000 short of its seasonal fundraising goal—and about 3,100 families are still waiting for help. Another 250 have yet to be matched with donor groups who provide food, clothing and toys to brighten the holidays.
Colleges go social in quest for young alumni donors
University and foundation leaders throughout the state are trying to find ways to target donors 35 and younger, through online tools that could be critical to future fundraising strategies.
Indy downtown promoters to pay busted youth group
A not-for-profit that promotes downtown Indianapolis has apologized to a youth group whose cookie sale was shut down in a sweep of unauthorized food vendors.
Damar veteran steps in to lead disability group
Child psychologist Jim Dalton leads a $43.5-million-per-year operation that serves clients with severe intellectual and behavioral challenges.
Donor-management software startup plans to add 70 jobs
Bloomerang is led by technology entrepreneur Jay Love, who sold the donor-management firm eTapestry for $25 million in 2007.
Conner Prairie rolling out adults-only programming
The inaugural Prairie Plates event Sept. 20 represents a big step in the Hamilton County living history museum’s increasing effort to target grown-ups—a trend happening around the country as once-staid institutions look to expand audiences and increase revenue.
Julian Center blames shortfall for counseling center closure
Shutting the 2-year-old counseling center’s doors in October will affect 179 patients, most of whom are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.
United Way kicks off local effort to raise $42.5M
United Way of Central Indiana is boosting its annual fundraising goal well past last year’s record-setting tally.
Golfer finishes coast-to-coast fundraiser for Indy school
Luke Bielawski, a student from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, spent 96 days this summer teeing off from California to South Carolina to raise money for Providence Cristo Rey High School.
Marian’s med school quest was leap of faith
Marian University, a small Catholic college started by Franciscan nuns, next month will launch just the second medical school in Indiana. Marian President Dan Elsener is credited with pulling off the audacious move with a mix of big dreaming, careful planning, deft networking and “don’t take no for an answer” fundraising.