Joanna Nixon is Vice President for Grantmaking with CICF.  She can be reached at joannan@cicf.org .

CICF Grant Officers spend their time out in the community learning about the trends, issues and opportunities in the non-profit sector, and initiating and deepening relationships with central Indiana's nonprofits. The following information provides just a brief summary of some of the major trends in 2009 for the following grantmaking interest areas. CICF welcomes the opportunity to provide additional information or specific recommendations for your grantmaking.

Health and Human Services
This is an area that experienced a significant increase in community needs in 2009. Connect2Help is an Indiana not-for-profit that operates 2-1-1, a national abbreviated dialing code that connects callers to information about critical health and human services. The types and number of calls received by 2-1-1 is a good indication of the current health and human service needs in our community. Below is information on the types and number of calls 2-1-1 received.

Between July 2009-September 2009:

• 2-1-1 received 53,785 calls, 61% of those callers had never called to ask for help before, and a majority of those calls were from individuals in central Indiana.

• 41% of callers asked for help meeting basic needs. The top three needs are housing, typically rent assistance, followed by inquiries for assistance paying utility bills and how to access emergency food. And, the number of calls requesting assistance with paying utility bills will continue to increase as we enter the cold winter months.

• More than 9,400 callers reported that at least one member of their household was unemployed. This is a 43% increase compared to the same time period in 2008.

Arts & Culture
Over the past 12 months, central Indiana arts and culture organizations have experienced significant reductions in individual, foundation and government funding while at the same time seeing reduced revenues due to decreased ticket sales. The loss of income has put a strain on arts organizations and their ability to implement high quality performing arts, arts education programming and visual art exhibitions. Arts and culture organizations are critical to a strong and vibrant community. While there is an increased collaboration among arts organizations, flexible general operating support to arts and cultural organizations is important to sustain and ensure continued programming that contributes to the quality of life in our community.

Civic & Community Development
Thriving neighborhoods and engaged residents are important components to building a strong community. Programs that help develop current and future leaders, increase the diversity of our community, and ensure that neighborhoods are attractive and safe all help position central Indiana as a top region of choice for residents and visitors. Support to local community development corporations, leadership development organizations, and organizations that promote diversity are important components for building and ensuring a strong central Indiana community.

Environment
Indiana is near the bottom in a number of national environmental rankings in the areas of water quality, air quality and recycling. Having beautiful and attractive public spaces are important factors in public health, economic well-being, and in our preservation of nature for generations to come. In addition, many communities are faced with limited and declining tax revenues to maintain public spaces such as parks, greenways and trails and Indiana counties and cities are increasingly relying on private donations to build and maintain public spaces. Support organizations that help ensure that our public spaces are clean, attractive and safe, and help change environmental practices and policies important to a vibrant and attractive place.

Education
Attracting and retaining a highly educated workforce is critical to Indiana being able to position itself and compete economically with other cities throughout the country. Currently in Indiana every 100 students that enter 9th grade, only 23 will graduate college with a degree. Supporting organizations focused on early childhood education, college preparedness and access and school reform are all important components to increasing the number of students who are prepared and succeed in post-secondary opportunities.

These are just a few examples of ways to get involved and to support our shared community. Please contact your staff representative at 317.634.2423 for additional information or to customize your grantmaking.