$15.3M Walker Theatre rehab to return shine to community gem
A three-way partnership substantially brightens the future of the venue, which has offered minimal programming in recent years and badly needs upgrades.
Philanthropy
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Local firms seek to advance social entrepreneurship in central Indiana
An Indianapolis law firm is hoping to boost what’s known as “social entrepreneurship” in central Indiana by bringing together people who want to both generate a profit and improve society with their business endeavors.
IU School of Medicine receives $14M to create program for cancer patients, families
The goal of the program is to provide care for a patient’s overall physical, mental and spiritual well-being, including pain management, at-home support, nutrition assistance and help with navigating financial issues.
Not-for-profits brace for impact of tax bill
Charities are waiting to see whether new tax changes, which will reduce the number of Americans who qualify to lower their federal tax bills by using a deduction for giving, will also reduce donations.
Foundation plots new life for theater
Under a Central Indiana Community Foundation plan, Theatre on the Square will cease producing shows and will instead find an arts group to manage its venue for other theater organizations.
Madame Walker Theatre to get $15M renovation, operational help
An initiative involving Indiana University and the Lilly Endowment is set to provide a $15 million renovation to the historic Madame Walker Theatre Center while ensuring the historic landmark’s viability into the future.
United Way expands poverty simulations to educate, engage community
IBJ reporter Lindsey Erdody participated in a recent poverty simulation conducted by the United Way of Central Indiana and hosted by Kronos Inc. and TechPoint.
Fairbanks Foundation awards $12M to local schools for drug prevention
The initiative will provide grants to public and private K-12 schools in Marion County to support substance-abuse programs.
Proposed mosque in Carmel draws opposition
Opponents have raised concerns about property values being hurt by additional traffic and calls to prayer disturbing the peace.
Simon estate gift creates ‘potentially tough situation’ for small foundation
The Great American Songbook Foundation now has the expensive responsibility of maintaining the 107-acre Asherwood, including paying a nine-person maintenance staff.
Indianapolis-based software firm BidPal changing its name
The philanthropy software firm said the name change reflects the company’s growth beyond mobile bidding services into an integrated fundraising technology business.
Simon widow donates massive estate to Songbook Foundation
The widow of Mel Simon is donating her entire 107-acre estate in Carmel to the Great American Songbook Foundation—a gift valued at more than $30 million that the foundation plans to use to help it establish a major museum in central Indiana.
Notre Dame nabs 6 of state’s 10 largest not-for-profit gifts in 2017
The university’s $205 million in big gifts was about two-thirds of the $302.9 million in gifts of $1 million or more given by individuals to Indiana not-for-profits in 2017.
New Lilly Endowment program to provide $25M to Indy arts and cultural initiatives
The competitive program will dole out grants from as little as $7,500 to as much as $10 million. The endowment stipulates that funded programs must be implemented within Marion County.
Lilly Endowment awards more than $20M to help pastors
The grants will help seminaries, universities and other organizations create or strengthen programs that help pastors build relationships with experienced clergy.
Lilly Endowment awards $39M to bolster counties in north-central Indiana
The funding for Tippecanoe County and nine other counties is intended to help turn the region into a hub for agricultural research and advanced manufacturing.
Endowment to fund homework hotline through 2020
The statewide hotline run by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology also will begin collecting information from tutoring sessions to help identify students’ knowledge gaps.
Lilly Endowment CEO: Businesses key in virtuous circle of community prosperity
For Indianapolis to thrive, its businesses need to share their resources for civic-minded efforts, N. Clay Robbins told attendees Friday at the Engage Indiana event for corporate philanthropy.
Business leader, philanthropist Andre Lacy dies at 78
Andre B. Lacy was known for his prolific work on corporate boards and as an active leader of several influential civic organizations. But he is likely to be best remembered for his recent philanthropy, which included a $25 million gift to Butler University’s college of business.
CNO CEO Bonach has left mark on far more than his company
Ed Bonach became active in the community partly to send a message to the company’s beaten-down workforce that “you don’t have to hang your head about being part of this company. We are doing a lot of good things, and we will be doing more of them.”