Piece of the PI: Newsletter

A monthly publication for the members of Prosperity Indiana

Letter from the Director of Operations

Good news for compassionate organizations looking to attract and retain talent and support the mental health of their teams!

How are you – really?

Friends seeking authentic reconnection post-pandemic probe past the superficial responses and pause for a real answer. In the aftermath of April’s tornados, my heart goes out to our members across the state who are still helping their neighbors clean up and recover. For those who were spared, the disaster may seem like yesterday’s news, but if you were in its path, you know rebuilding is long, hard work. 

I come from a family of first responders: firefighters, ER nurses, a paramedic and a big-rig wrecker driver. As a kid, I recall our dad, the local volunteer fire station chaplain, sharpening his favorite chainsaw when severe weather was in the forecast. Our neighbors in the forests of rural Clark County knew they could count on him to lend a hand after the storms. He taught us that when communities pull together, recovery and healing seem a little easier.

My role at PI may not create the same adrenaline rush as a day in the lives of my siblings, but I see my share of devastation – financial devastation that ravages the lives of Hoosiers who find their heads spinning from the interest and fees that accrue on credit card debt or payday loans. These stories won’t get team coverage on the news. Financial distress is a private kind of disaster.

We rarely ask, “How are you – financially?” That awkward question is better answered by recent headlines like “70% of Americans are feeling financially stressed, new CNBC survey finds”. Seventy percent is most of us!

So, maybe we’re not really ok – especially when unexpected expenses arise. Where do we turn in a financial emergency? If our friends or co-workers resorted to a payday loan, it’s not likely we’d chat about that around the watercooler. But a financial storm can hit anyone.

That’s why we have good news for compassionate organizations looking to attract and retain talent and support the mental health of their teams! Indiana-based employers all across the state can help their employees fight inflation stress and weather life’s unpleasant financial surprises by enrolling in the Community Loan Center benefit program.  No cost to enroll. No cost to the employer.

Employees who have been on the job for 90 days can borrow up to $1000 from the privacy of their home or device - 24/7 - and receive funds via direct deposit in 1-2 business days. With 12 months to repay through stress-free payroll deduction, they can focus on work & family knowing that every month their automatic on-time payment is reported to the credit bureaus, boosting credit scores ahead of life’s next challenge. There is no credit check – just an employment verification. It’s simple and sensible for everyone involved.

As the Indiana CLC State Lead, Prosperity Indiana recently joined lending partners Brightpoint and HomesteadCS at the national CLC retreat in Dallas where we heard inspiring news of the program’s impact and expansion in Arizona, Idaho, Missouri, Michigan, Delaware, Tennessee, North Carolina, and soon Florida. And Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA) is launching a CLC in their service area this month!

PI members can join this movement to bring more equitable consumer credit to our state and bless your dedicated employees with an alternative to high interest debt. Rebuilding financial stability takes long, hard work, but when employers step up and offer tools like CLC loans to their employees, financial healing and recovery become a little easier. Dad would be proud.


Best,

Teresa Reimschisel

For more information, visit CLCofIndiana.org or scan the QR code below:

We REAP prosperity by providing Resources, Engagement, Advocacy, and Programs that support our members' work!

The Power of Partnerships

Prosperity Indiana is pleased to present the closing session for the Balance of State Continuum of Care Spring Development Day on May 12th. The session will provide information and inspiration on creating effective partnerships for housing stability and systems-level change. We are honored to boost the partnership and advocacy skills of homeless service providers throughout our state.

A Tool You Can Use - ICYMI!

Check out the following recordings of recent Prosperity Indiana programs that will help you and your organization advance housing stability in your community:

These two videos explain how you and your organization can help Hoosiers avoid foreclosures, evictions, and obtain quality affordable housing.

If you are looking for more resources on housing counseling training or would like a list of housing counseling providers in your area, please reach out to Erica Boswell.

Looking for advocacy tools as well? Check out Prosperity Indiana's Advocacy Series:


Prosperity Indiana June Regional Meetings

Don’t miss our seven statewide regional meetings taking place in June this year! Community leaders from nonprofit, financial, and government organizations will gather to meet and share their most important needs with Prosperity Indiana’s new Executive Director. 

Meetings are free, lunch is included, and registration opens on May 1 (required)!

  • Central- Indianapolis, June 6
  • Northwest- Crown Point, June 13
  • Central West- Terre Haute, June 15
  • Southeast- TBD
  • Southwest- Evansville, June 27
  • Northeast- Ft Wayne, June 29
  • Central East- Muncie, June 30

Thank you to our Leader Members!

Prosperity Indiana would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our Leader members. A portion of the $1500 Leader member dues covers a one year membership for nonprofit organizations not currently in the network. If you know of a nonprofit organization that would benefit from joining the PI network, please contact Rita O’Donohue.

Thank you, Leader members, for helping us expand the network!

Session’s Final Days

The 2023 session of the Indiana General Assembly will end this week, although we don’t know yet if sine die will occur Thursday or Friday.  Until then, there is still time to call and email your legislators about Prosperity Indiana’s three action alerts that can be found on our Advocacy Action Center! Meanwhile, PI’s own Policy Director Andrew Bradley and Coalition Coordinator Hale Crumley have been working the Statehouse day in and day out during conference committee, and will continue to fight for PI’s policy priorities until sine die. Wondering what conference committee is, or what sine die means? You’re not alone! Check out this helpful article by the Indiana Capitol Chronicle for a quick and easy explanation. 

Stay tuned for PI’s end-of-session wrap-up and be sure to RSVP for upcoming regional meetings to hear how bills passed this session will impact the organizations serving the community economic development sector.

EMPLOYERS - You can help your employees for NO COST!


Support your team with a NO-COST benefit that gives them access to credit-building short term loans.


  • Zero budget impact for employer
  • No credit check
  • Easy repayment through payroll deduction


Learn more at CLCofIndiana.org/Employers.

Sponsor

Piece of the PI is sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI).

Tools & Resources

$250 Million Open Call to Elevate Nonprofits Advancing their Communities

Mackenzie Scott's Yield Giving announced the launch of a $250 million Open Call, seeking community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to advance the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of meager or modest means, and groups who have been met with discrimination and other systemic obstacles. Interested organizations must register to apply before 4 PM US Central Time on Friday, May 5. Read more here.

Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program


Approximately $550 million is available to select approximately 11 eligible grantmakers to develop an efficient, simplified process so that organizations that historically have faced barriers to receive funding can more seamlessly apply for grants that address environmental harms and risks. Eligible applicants include community-based nonprofits, or partnerships that include community-based nonprofits. Applications must be submitted on or before May 31st. Find more information here.

Central Indiana Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) First Annual Gathering 


As part as the CEDS strategy, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization is hosting its first annual gathering on May 10th at 3 PM EDT to share performance measures and success stories, have a panel conversation around transportation and economic development, and talk about what's next for the CEDS implementation. Register here.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month


In preparation for Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the 988 Lifeline Team has uploaded new shareables to the 988 Partner Toolkit, including social media shareables and new print materials. Please feel free to use these resources to help engage your communities.

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Inaugural Milton J Murray Lecture


Join the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy for the Inaugural Milton J Murray Lecture featuring Edgar Sandoval, CEO and President of World Vision at the Indiana Historical Society on April 27th at 6pm EST. The event will also be live streamed. More details can be found here.

ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence - Questions and Implications for Evaluators


With the emergence of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools, questions about the use of AI and its ability to assist - or replace - humans has received renewed and attention. Join the Indiana Evaluation Association for this professional development meeting on Friday, April 28th at 11:30 AM EST. Register here.

Rural Housing Summit


The Indiana Association of Realtors is hosting its first ever Indiana Rural Housing Summit on June 5th and 6th at the French Lick Resort. The conference seeks to address the barriers to rural housing development, access, and affordability. Learn more and register here.

Grants for Veteran Services FY24

Join the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs for a live Q/A regarding the Grants for Veteran Services grant program on May 5 at 10:30 AM. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Indiana veterans, and applications are due by 5 PM on May 15th. More information can be found here.

Two Federal CED Grants Now Open 


The Department of Health and Human Services Community and Economic Development program will provide up to $800,000 per project to CDCs for projects designed to revitalize the local economy, expand businesses, and create jobs for individuals with low incomes in communities experiencing high unemployment and persistent poverty. CED Project Grant applications are due Monday, May 8. Energy Communities Grants are available to community development corporations in communities losing jobs in the fossil fuel energy. Grants do not have to create jobs in the energy sector. Applications specific to the CED Focus on Energy Communities program are due Wednesday, May 17th. Learn more here.

Upcoming HUD Funding Opportunities

HUD announced that it will make available $5 million for Family Unification Program vouchers to strengthen coordination among key providers for youth and family homelessness and to provide housing and supportive services. Applications are due by May 25th, with more information here. Applications have also opened for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, with $60 million in grant funding available to support selected communities in the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness. Applications are due by June 27th, with more information here.

COVID-19 & How to Stay Healthy

Prosperity Indiana's Response

Prosperity Indiana team members are operating in a hybrid work arrangement. We are hosting in-person meetings and events and traveling to member sites for in-person gatherings. Watch for more upcoming events here. We will continue to:

COVID-19 Housing Resources

  • For a complete list of the state's various emergency rental assistance programs, visit the Housing4Hoosiers COVID-19 Assistance & Resources page.

  • The Indy Affordable Modification Program (IndyAMP) allows Marion County homeowners negatively affected by COVID-19 to refinance mortgage debt at a below-market interest rate for up to 30 years. IndyAMP allows owners to remain in their homes, become current with their mortgages, and lower their monthly payments.

  • COVID-19 Resources for Homeowners provides information for FHA-insured mortgages on the foreclosure moratorium and how to apply for mortgage forbearance.

If you have specific suggestions for webinars, FB live chats, or other resources for us to share related to COVID-19, please reach out to our team.

Contact Us

Prosperity Indiana is here to support you! The best way to reach us is always via email. Here is a link to contact information for full-time staff. Questions about your membership can be directed to Rita O'Donohue. For more of the latest in community economic development, please visit our blog!

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Prosperity Indiana
1099 N. Meridian Street, Suite 170, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 222-1221

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