Peer Communities

Upcoming Meetings

Select tabs above to learn about each Peer Community.

IPA Peer Communities offer members ongoing opportunities to connect and learn with their peers who share similar job responsibilities either regionally or statewide. Members are connected through listserv discussions, virtual meet-ups, and in-person convenings.

Each IPA Peer Community has two volunteer co-chairs. Working with IPA staff, co-chairs gather input from their group to determine discussion topics. They also identify resources and advocate for participation from members of the peer community.

Eligibility

IPA Peer Communities are open to IPA members within grantmaking organizations.

Ready to join a Peer Community? Contact IPA Director of Learning Jill Gordon.

The Communications Peer Community is a network for those with a communications role looking to build networks and share knowledge. This community is open to members looking to connect and explore topics such newsletter, social media strategy, website and other content curation, writing op-eds, and more. 

Email the Listserv - for group members only

Co-Chairs:

• Erica Fizer, Director of Communications and Marketing at Legacy Foundation
• Jodi Spataro, Chief Advancement Officer, Community Foundation of Elkhart County
• Nicole Lampert, Communications and Engagement Manager, Dubois County Community Foundation

The Corporate Peer Community is a network for staff and trustees working with corporate foundations or giving programs, looking to build networks and share knowledge. This community is open to members looking to connect and explore topics such as grantmaking, giving programs, corporate social responsibly, and more. 

Email the Listserv - for group members only

Co-Chairs:

• Rachel Goodspeed, Director, External Affairs & Veteran Relations, CareSource
• Madolyn Howe, Community Affairs Director, OneAmerica

The Development Peer Community is a statewide network for IPA members who serve in development and donor relations roles.  This group is open to grantmaking members that want to connect and explore topics such as donor relations, planned gifts, stewardship, developing a planned giving program, and more.

Email the Listserv - for group members only

Co-Chairs:

• Alison Gerardot, CFRM, Vice President of Philanthropic Services, Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
• Meagan Niese, CFRE, Development Director, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County

The Finance Peer Community is a statewide network for IPA members who serve in finance and/or administration roles. This community is open to grantmaking members that want to connect and explore topics such as financial policies and procedures, accounting software, and more. Register to attend this first virtual meeting.

Email the Listserv - for group members only

Co-Chairs:

• Brittani Bentley, Associate Director, Community Foundation of Morgan County
• Sherri Rush, Chief Financial Officer, Community Foundation of Grant County

Formerly known as the Greater Indianapolis Program Officers (GIPO), the Program Officer CENTRAL Peer Community is a network of program officers and staff working within central Indiana and looking to build networks and share knowledge. This community is open to all members looking to connect and explore topics such as but not limited to grants management, scholarship funds, donor advised funds, funder programming, and more.

Email the Listserv - for group members only

Co-Chairs:

• Brittani Bentley, Associate Director, Community Foundation of Morgan County
• Carly Acree-King, Program Officer, Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc.

The Program Officer NORTH Peer Community is a network of program officers and staff working within northern Indiana and looking to build networks and share knowledge. This community is open to all members looking to connect and explore topics such as but not limited to grants management, scholarship funds, donor advised funds, funder programming, and more.

Email the Listserv - for group members only

Co-Chairs:

• Dawn Martz, Director of Programs, Foellinger Foundation 
• Amanda Jamison, Senior Program Officer at Community Foundation of Elkhart County

The Program Officer SOUTH Peer Community is a network of program officers and staff working within southern Indiana and looking to build networks and share knowledge. This community is open to all members looking to connect and explore topics such as but not limited to grants management, scholarship funds, donor advised funds, funder programming, and more.

Email the Listserv - for group members only

Co-Chairs:

• Kyle Hendricks, Manager of Community Impact at Heritage Fund, The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County
• Lyndsey Wade-Swift, Program Officer, Washington County Community Foundation

IPA provides administrative support for Indiana Black in Philanthropy (IBIP), which seeks to educate, empower, strengthen, and support the development of Blacks in Indiana's communities through philanthropy. 

• Email the Listserv - for group members only
• Facebook Group - administered by IBIP board
• LinkedIn Group - administered by IBIP board

President:

• Erica Fizer, Director of Communications and Marketing at Legacy Foundation, Inc.

The Youth Philanthropy Peer Community is a network of staff such as youth council facilitators and other interested members looking to build networks and share knowledge around youth philanthropy. This community is open to all members looking to connect and explore topics such as but not limited to youth leadership and development, philanthropic opportunities for youth, youth grantmaking, and more.

Email the Listserv - for group members only

Co-Chairs:

• Margarita White, Program Director/Facilitator of PULSE Youth Pod, Community Foundation of Noble County
• Laura Hamilton, Program Director/Facilitator of Ripley Youth Outreach, Ripley County Community Foundation

Interested in joining ? Contact IPA Director of Learning Jill Gordon.