Piece of the PI: Newsletter

A monthly publication for the members of Prosperity Indiana

Letter from the Policy Director

Advocacy to lead the way for strengthening Indiana’s communities

Greetings from Washington D.C.! 

As I write this letter, I’m multitasking from the NLIHC Housing Policy Forum where tomorrow PI staff, members, and coalition partners will be on Capitol Hill meeting with 10 of Indiana’s 11 Congressional offices in person for the first time since pre-pandemic times. We’ll be talking about budget priorities and pro-housing legislation like the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act and the Eviction Crisis Act, both sponsored by Indiana Senator Todd Young. PI’s Coalition Coordinator Hale Crumley and I both spoke on panels about leading advocacy work in Indiana. Earlier this week, PI’s Program Evaluation Manager Erica Boswell also led a separate round of virtual Hill visits for NCRC’s virtual Advocacy Week visits to talk about legislation covering community reinvestment, consumer protection, and yes, more affordable housing investment issues. Meanwhile, back in Indiana, more PI members and coalition partners continue to advocate for bills that are moving at the Statehouse. 

That’s a lot for one week! But it’s not out of the ordinary during this period when both Congress and the Indiana General Assembly are both in session. As PI’s Board Chair Steven Meyer wrote in last month’s ‘Piece of the PI’ newsletter, “Prosperity Indiana is a leader in community economic development across the state.” Advocacy is a big part of that leadership role, and not just to lobby policymakers when the legislatures are in session for the affordable housing, community development resources, and asset-building and consumer protection issues that make up our member-driven annual agenda. Just as important, PI works year-round to raise the capacity and skills of our members to lift up the perspectives of their individual organizations and the communities they serve, and then to strengthen that advocacy in a unified voice. We also multiply and amplify that advocacy by convening additional multi-sector partners. Doing so allows PI to have the greatest policy impact possible for our members at the local, state, and federal levels. And PI’s advocacy also serves to center our association and advance members’ interests in any conversation that affects community economic development issues.

Advocacy works best when we bring together and build personal relationships. That’s why it was so invigorating to meet with PI members at last month’s Statehouse Day. At this week’s Forum, we had the special opportunity to take our Indiana partners to the Tidal Basin for the peak of the Cherry Blossom blooms, and to reflect at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorials. The group remarked that so many of the quotes inscribed in stone seem newly relevant in today’s world. One that resonated anew with me was King’s encouragement to "Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in." 

So many of PI’s members have already made a “career of humanity,” and we’re here to help amplify your voice. There are plenty of ways to keep involved - you can send an action alert, or register for our members’ only Action Plan discussion next week. And as always, please reach out to us to let us know how we can help advocate for you to lead the way.

Best,

Andrew Bradley

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

Just for Developers

Prosperity Indiana is collaborating with JumpStart Martindale Brightwood on "Jumpinars" or webinars to increase the skills of all Indiana affordable housing developers. Please mark your calendar for the following virtual events:

  • Site Control & Purchase Agreements | April 13, 2023 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM
  • LIHTC Funding | May 11, 2023 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Connecting Philanthropy with Community Economic Development

PI recently presented two learning programs connecting community economic development funding priorities with public and private philanthropic opportunities:

  • As a part of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance Mutz Leadership Institute, PI presented “thought-provoking information” on the various roles funders can play in supporting community change. 
  • As a part of Indiana Uplands Regional Opportunity Initiatives Grant Writer Fellowship Program, PI outlined how community grant seekers can answer the often-dreaded grant application question, “How will you sustain this program?” 

These are just a few examples of how PI is strengthening the financial capacity of our members. If you are a funder or fund seeker, how can PI help you increase the impact of your philanthropic endeavors? Contact Marie Beason to learn more!

Grantseeking Tools You Can Use

GrantStation: A weekly newsletter of funding opportunities and tools to find new grant sources and build a strong grantseeking program.

Foundation Maps: Comprehensive giving data to understand giving landscapes.

Foundation Directory: Information you need to be smart and strategic with your funding requests.

Get on the Map: A tool for foundations to share data by regions.

Regional Meetings in June and July
Prosperity Indiana will have seven regional meetings across the state this summer! Our team is actively planning logistics, locations, and content, and we need your help. If you have a facility (or know of one) that seats 75-100 people and you would like to help us gather local leaders from all sectors into one room, please contact Rita O'Donohue. Meeting dates and locations need to be set by mid-April.

Member Survey
Each spring, we ask our members to tell us what they need so we can improve benefits and grow resources, engagement opportunities, advocacy, and programs that support their work. We read every suggestion and take this feedback seriously.

Check your email in early April for this year’s survey!

Member Portal

PI is in the process of optimizing the member portal! Our goal is to make this a one-stop-shop for gathering resources, sharing data, maximizing benefits, and engaging with other members. Look for more information coming soon.

March Advocacy Update

This month, PI staff and members have been actively working at the Indiana Statehouse as well as at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.! This week, Hale and Andrew have been leading meetings on the Hill in D.C., joining forces with PI members and advocating with the National Low Income Housing Coalition for affordable housing funding. This week was also advocacy week for National Community Reinvestment Coalition. Erica, in conjunction with NCRC, led a team of PI members in virtual meetings with Congressional staff to discuss affordable housing funding, financing regulations, and community reinvestment regulations and funding. Partnerships with national organizations, PI members, and lawmakers are vital to the success of furthering our work in community economic development.

SAVE THE DATE for PI Members-Only Action Plan Discussion March 2

Save the date for Wednesday, March 29 at 3 PM EDT for a PI members' only continued discussion on the state's draft 2023 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development. Register here.

Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition General Body Meeting 

The Indiana General Assembly 2023 legislative session is officially more than halfway over, and the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition has been very busy. Join us on Zoom on March 31 from 11 AM - 12 PM for our session midpoint policy digest and other exciting coalition updates.

We will discuss status reports on housing bills at the Indiana General Assembly, the major takeaways from the National Low Income Housing Coalition's annual Policy Forum and Hill Day, HUD's Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and how to submit a comment on behalf of your organization, and the legal kiosks being set up throughout the state by IHCDA and the Indiana Bar Foundation. 

Indiana Assets & Opportunity Network 

The Indiana Assets & Opportunity Network has also been very busy this legislative session, and it’s time for a session midpoint policy digest. Join us on Zoom on April 7 from 11 AM - 12 PM to learn about the two financial literacy bills that are alive and moving, how they are different from each other, and what A&O advocates have been doing to shape them; the Earned Income Tax Credit bill that could be a huge win for Hoosier families if passed; the bill that proposes a commission for the review and potential overhaul of the entire Indiana Tax Code; and a status report on student loan debt cancellation.

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Sponsor

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

Tools & Resources

Save the Date for Data Day 2023

Join the statewide data community for the sixth annual Data Day on Wednesday, April 26 from 9 AM - 2 PM in downtown Indianapolis. Sessions will include presentations about innovative solutions using state data on topics such as education, workforce, equity, public health, the drug epidemic, and more. Presenters will additionally cover data management, machine learning, data visualization, data science, and more to help attendees stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in data. Learn more and register here.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation is Accepting Applications for 2023 Open Grant Cycle


$90,000 is available for Boost and Impact Grants funding charitable programs and projects that serve the residents of Lawrence County. An additional $37,000 is available for programs and projects that benefit specific causes such as parks, disadvantaged children, and senior citizens. Applications are due Monday, April 17. More information can be found here.

Looking to Maximize Your Nonprofit's LinkedIn Impact?


Did you know that LinkedIn offers a Nonprofits Resource Hub? This collection of guides, best practices, and expert advice can help you to make the most of the free features available on LinkedIn. You can even sign up for 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything sessions and Live Webinars to ask questions directly to the LinkedIn team and get the answers you need in real time. Discover everything the hub has to offer here.

Request for Comment: Environmental & Climate Justice Block Grant Program


Community development nonprofits are encouraged to submit comments on the $3 billion Environmental & Climate Justice Block Grant Program, of which $650 million is specifically targeted for community-based nonprofits (with more expected). Read the EPA Request for Information here, use NACEDA's Comment Letter Template here, and feel free to use language from NACEDA's own comment letter here. Submit a comment letter by April 29.

Grant Management Tips and Tools Workshop


Did your organization recently receive a new grant award? Are you struggling to figure out how to keep track of new opportunities? Grassroots organizations with annual revenue of $250,000 and under are invited to join Partec Consulting Group for a free Grant Management Tips and Tools workshop on Thursday, March 30 from 6 - 8 PM in Indianapolis. Find out more and register here.

Digital Equity Takes a Village


The digital equity task force needs help creating a map of digital inclusion assets in Indiana. Specifically, the task force is looking to map any organization or institution that offers digital inclusion programs or resources. These resources can include things such as public or free WiFi, computers for public use, hotspot lending programs, device lending programs, device giveaway program, digital skills training programs, meeting space, or similar program opportunities. The information collected through this asset map will help inform Indiana’s first-ever digital equity plan.


To contribute to the current map, read more here.

Expand Your Knowledge with the National Grant Foundation


The National Grant Foundation seeks to educate individuals and organizations in the skills and best practices needed to successfully find and apply for attainable grants. They offer many different classes in grant writing, fundraising, and nonprofits, as well as general interest classes in Excel, WordPress, QuickBooks, Social Media Marketing, PowerPoint, and Email Marketing. Learn more 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 17. Learn more here.

Contribute to Improving the New FCC National Broadband Map

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program provides funding to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 states. The map last used by the FCC to calculate the amount of funding each state will receive was produced using advertised speeds from providers and lists many areas as "served" that are not.

The State of Indiana will challenge the new FCC National Broadband Map map when they submit their plan for deploying the BEAD funding in August. To do this, the Indiana Broadband Office will need speed test data from all over Indiana. The Indiana Farm Bureau has launched a Broadband Speed Test that Hoosiers can use to report their internet speeds from any location statewide. Please distribute this link and encourage individuals, business owners, and institutions to use the link to report their broadband speed (you can additionally use this link to the overall map to see which areas have completed speed tests). This will enable The State of Indiana to deploy funds to areas of the state in most need of assistance.

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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