Although annual pay raises are often considered essential in keeping valued employees, about a third of Central Indiana nonprofits reported that they would not be offering pay raises in 2021 — in the midst of one of the most competitive job markets in recent history.

Those statistics were among the findings of the Charitable Advisors 2021 Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Report, issued following a tumultuous period marked by the COVID-19 outbreak, government stay-at-home orders, social protests and an economic crisis.

With 286 Central Indiana organizations represented in the anonymous survey — a record response, HR executives, CEOs and other leaders provided insight into the salary levels of 26 positions of nonprofit institutions varying widely in size and in annual budgets — from less than $250,000 to more than $10 million.

When asked whether they expected to increase wages for employees at their organizations, 285 of the respondents revealed a mix of answers in the 2021 survey. They are as follows:

Based on the previous Charitable Advisors Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Report, released in 2019 before the pandemic, the number of nonprofits planning to offer some type of wage increase had declined — from 63 percent t0 57 percent. However, a larger number of nonprofits in the 2019 survey had not yet decided on pay increases — 24 percent compared to 9 percent in the 2021 survey.

Eventually, every board has some sort of conflict — whether it’s a small disagreement or a large difference in the direction its members want the nonprofit to take. The key to managing board conflict is to be proactive when the first signs of conflict develop, rather than waiting for it to snowball into a bigger problem. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

While every conflict is different, there are a few key principles we’ll discuss here to get you started with proactively preventing and managing conflict on your board. If you’re in need of help unraveling an issue on your board, please contact us for assistance.

The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of CICF, recently awarded grants totaling $846,250 to organizations that align with the foundation’s five community leadership initiatives of: family stabilization, economic mobility, criminal justice reform, neighborhood empowerment and placemaking and dismantling systemic racism. See recipients

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has launched a $540 million grant program to support early childhood education providers facing challenges caused by the pandemic. Eligible childcare, early care and education, and out-of-school time programs will be able to apply for the grants, which are being made possible through American Rescue Plan Act funding the state has received. Read

Two child advocacy organizations in Central Indiana have announced plans to combine forces to further support families who have a child with a disability or special healthcare need. Family Voices Indiana, based in Fishers, and Indianapolis-based About Special Kids will merge in January 2022. Read

More than 700 employees participated in the Lilly Global Day of Service on Sept. 23. In partnership with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, local communities and artists, volunteers planted hundreds of trees as well as painted vibrant murals to inform and celebrate differences within the community.

Aspire Indiana Health has been recognized with the "Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality" Badge from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which recognizes health centers that meet all criteria to optimize healthcare IT services. Read

Tindley Summit Academy, a public charter elementary school on the Far Eastside, has been awarded $25,000 from Old National Bank to open a library and learning center in their school.

The International Marketplace Coalition has cut the ribbon on its new Global Village Welcome Center in Indianapolis. The 56,000-square-foot cultural center features galleries representing all inhabited continents, an event hall, gift shop and other functional spaces. Read

Free math preparation program, Algebra by 7th Grade, offered by Purdue Polytechnic High School offers tutoring programs for students in third, fourth and fifth grades. Read

Cancer Support Community Central Indiana is looking for volunteers to help with its annual comedy gala, Laughing Matters, on Nov.13 in the Egyptian Room at the Old National Centre. Volunteer roles include assisting with setup, registration and a silent auction. Contact Kelsey Singleton at kelsey@cancersupportindy.org

O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs New study indicates the state's health sector tends to not only remain stable during an economic downturn, but often grows employment levels.

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