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Through the Thriving Nonprofits initiative, cohort members received free energy assessments of their facilities and matching grants to complete building upgrades designed to reduce each organization’s operating costs
Indianapolis, IN (March 10, 2026) – Today, the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability and community development financial institution IFF announced the successful completion of the inaugural cohort of Thriving Nonprofits. This initiative launched in May 2025 to help local nonprofits enhance the energy efficiency of their facilities and reduce operating costs. Funded by the McKinney Family Foundation, Thriving Nonprofits provided 10 mission-driven organizations with facilities located in Marion County with free energy assessments of their facilities and matching grants of up to $10,000 to facilitate building upgrades that reduced energy usage and monthly utility bills.
“The goal of Thriving Nonprofits is to help nonprofits in the Indianapolis area save money on energy that can be redeployed to fulfill their missions,” says McKinney Family Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Goodrid Lawson. “That, in turn, benefits the people and the communities that those organizations serve, and, collectively, strengthens Indianapolis. The McKinney Family Foundation is committed to empowering communities across the state to live in a healthier, more prosperous, and more sustainable manner, and Thriving Nonprofits directly contributes to that effort.”
The members of the inaugural Thriving Nonprofits cohort were selected to participate in the initiative through a competitive application process which drew more than 40 applications. Cohort members included:
- Aspire Higher Foundation, Inc., which installed solar panels and inverters;
- B-SIDE Creative Campus, which installed a high-efficiency HVAC system and energy efficient water heater;
- Coburn Place Safe Haven, which completed LED lighting upgrades in the organization’s community room and replaced existing thermostats with smart thermostats;
- Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, which replaced the organization’s HVAC systems;
- Community Alliance of the Far Eastside, which is pursuing a roof replacement and the installation of new insulation;
- Fairview Presbyterian Church, which completed LED lighting upgrades;
- HealthNet, Inc., which completed LED lighting upgrades;
- Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, which purchased and installed new, energy efficient doors;
- Outreach, Inc., which purchased seven new Energy Star-certified washers and seven new Energy Star-certified electric dryers; and
- Second Helpings, Inc., which completed LED lighting upgrades.
“It is difficult to carve out funds for building improvements, and the Thriving Nonprofits opportunity arrived at the perfect time. We had several exterior doors that clearly needed to be replaced. On top of the funds, IFF provided excellent counsel and support—we feel better prepared to prioritize future projects, reduce operational costs, and increase energy efficiency.”
“Seeing the tangible results from this first cohort—from upgraded HVAC systems to new insulation—demonstrates how investments in nonprofit infrastructure are investments in community resilience,” said Mo McReynolds, director of the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability. “Thriving Nonprofits has empowered these organizations to optimize their facilities, significantly increasing their capacity to deliver on their core missions, and driving forward the sustainability goals of Thrive Indianapolis.”
Energy assessments of cohort members’ facilities were conducted by IFF’s Real Estate Solutions team. IFF, leveraging its experience supporting similar initiatives in recent years in Bloomington and South Bend, helped the 10 cohort members pinpoint specific upgrades to pursue, manage the renovation projects, and achieve meaningful cost reductions.
“At the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, we work tirelessly to put as many dollars as possible directly to our mission—basic needs, youth and family, and workforce services,” said Heather Pease, President. “It is difficult to carve out funds for building improvements, and the Thriving Nonprofits opportunity arrived at the perfect time. We had several exterior doors that clearly needed to be replaced. On top of the funds, IFF provided excellent counsel and support—we feel better prepared to prioritize future projects, reduce operational costs, and increase energy efficiency.”
In addition to the physical upgrades, Thriving Nonprofits cohort members participated in educational seminars designed to encourage collaboration and shared learnings, which participants can use to further refine their long-term facility goals. IFF also provided access to flexible loans to supplement project budgets where needed.
The successful completion of the Thriving Nonprofits cohort contributes directly to broader sustainability efforts in Marion County. By establishing financing options for energy efficiency and deploying strategies for building improvements, the initiative has advanced several action items within Thrive Indianapolis, the citywide sustainability and resilience action plan guiding Indianapolis toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
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Media Contact: Mads Gullion, Community Engagement Manager | Indianapolis Office of Sustainability | mads.gullion@indy.gov | 317-680-6734