SEPTEMBER
The Foundation Grows and Improves Skills In 2019, the Foundation faced an evaluation of processes, procedures, staff and skills. The opportunity arose through a planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to participate in an Organization 360 assessment.
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Working closely with a consultant, several organizational needs emerged to be addressed in 2020. The Foundation would transition to a new fund and donor management system. Additional staff would be added to the team. Office space would be reworked to make room for the new staff. Current staff would access training to enhance specific skill sets to take on new roles within the Foundation. When the pandemic hit, the ball was already rolling. Staff began the conversion process to a new software for fund management, accounting, and donor relationship management. The new software will be a benefit to staff and donors alike. Ensuring that data had transferred correctly has been a challenge. Foundation staff are grateful to donors and nonprofit organizations that have shown patience and grace as we work through the details. The Foundation’s first full-time finance officer, Trina Bowling, and administrative assistant, JoAnna Darda, began their new roles at the Foundation during the second half of the year as we said goodbye and congratulations to Cheryl Decker, long-time administrative services officer upon her retirement.
