Thriving Nonprofits initiative identifies first cohort of organizations

The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability announced recipients of its new Thriving Nonprofits program, designed to help local nonprofits reduce operating costs by improving energy efficiency.

Ten nonprofits were selected through an application process as the first beneficiaries of the program. Each organization will get a free energy assessment of their facilities and up to $10,000 in matching funds to provide energy-efficient building upgrades.

“We really tried to think broad spectrum about the various types of communities and spreading them out, not only sectors, but in various parts of Indianapolis,” said Mo McReynolds, director of the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability. “We also considered the impact that organization has for the community. If they use less funding for overhead, can they put more toward their mission, and does that mission align with the objectives of our program?”

The program is being led in partnership with IFF, a regional community development financial institution. It will also offer flexible loans for upgrades that exceed the grants. IFF has recently funded similar initiatives in Bloomington and South Bend. The McKinney Family Foundation provided the grant funding for the program.

Building assessments will be done by IFF’s real estate solutions team, with additional support from Glick Philanthropies. Recommended upgrades may include LED lighting, energy efficient appliances, HVAC system replacements, and solar panel installation, among others.

"Relatively small building upgrades can result in significant monthly cost savings, and IFF is excited to begin working with cohort members to identify opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings," said Amandula Anderson, IFF's executive director for the Indiana Region, in a news release.

The Thriving Nonprofits program is part of the city’s Thrive Indianapolis action plan, which promotes sustainability and climate action. The city is aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2050.

The organizations selected to participate in Thriving Nonprofits include:

• Outreach, Inc.
• Second Helpings, Inc.
• Aspire Higher Foundation, Inc.
• HealthNet, Inc.
• B-SIDE Creative Campus
• Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center Incorporated
• Coburn Place Safe Haven
• Fairview Presbyterian Church
• Community Alliance of Far Eastside
• Community Action of Greater Indiana