Cummins to invest more than $10M on female empowerment initiative
The program, which Cummins is describing as its “most ambitious community initiative ever,” is called Cummins Powers Women.
Philanthropy
Articles
Simon sisters among top political donors nationwide
Carmel philanthropists and sisters Deborah Simon and Cindy Simon Skjodt have become big-time campaign donors this election cycle.
Former Lilly exec makes seven-figure gift to local youth development group
The Indianapolis not-for-profit helps prepare African-American youth in the fourth grade and higher for academic and career success.
$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.
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.