Broad Ripple not-for-profit launches emergency fundraising campaign

A Broad Ripple not-for-profit that provides adult day care and caregiver services has launched an emergency fundraising campaign out of concern it will end the year in the red and potentially have to shut down within the next few years.

Joy’s House is trying to raise $559,000 by Nov. 1 after receiving far less than expected in corporate, foundation and individual donations this year. It also said a change in Medicaid waivers has reduced funding.

Tina McIntosh, president and founder of Joy’s House, said it’s as if all the potential threats to the nearly 20-year-old organization hit at the same time.

“We realized if we didn’t do something, then we would not be here for another year,” McIntosh said. “It’s unthinkable for us.”

McIntosh said she thinks changes in how businesses are structuring their giving, with more emphasis on employee-engagement strategies that can take time to develop, coupled with the 2017 tax reform that has reduced the number of individuals who itemize their taxes and claim charitable deductions, at least partially caused the decrease in donations.

“It’s just hit after hit after hit,” McIntosh said. “It’s hard to be a not-for-profit right now.”

The organization, which has an annual budget of $1.8 million, had to cut seven staff positions, leaving it with about 20 full-time employees.

McIntosh said $200,000 has been raised in the first two weeks of the campaign, so she’s hopeful it will meet its goal. If that amount isn’t reached, she said she’ll have to look at major organizational changes.

“If we don’t raise that amount of money, we’re in a world of hurt,” McIntosh said. “We will still be around. I just can’t promise we’ll be around for another 10, five or even one year.”