INDIANAPOLIS — "Religious Giving in Uncertain Times" will be the theme of a one-day conference held May 4 in Indianapolis. The Lake Institute on Faith + Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and Christian Theological Seminary will host the event, which will bring together clergy and nonprofit leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities in religious giving and fundraising in 2009 and beyond.
While the overall giving picture is complex, recent assessments of the climate for religious giving and fundraising have caused concern among clergy, nonprofit leaders, and donors. Through this public forum and workshop, congregation and faith-based nonprofit leaders will learn how their peers are coping with difficult financial circumstances.
The Center’s Lake Institute offers "safe havens" where clergy and faith-based nonprofit leaders can openly discuss issues of money, faith, and giving, and where donors can discern how their personal values influence their philanthropic actions. The current economic crisis presents opportunities to open new channels of dialogue through civic conversations such as the May 4 event.
The conference will include a presentation by Center on Philanthropy staff, who will share current research findings and anecdotal insights about giving to religion during recessions. Two panels of clergy and nonprofit leaders will discuss what and how they are learning from the current economic crisis, and how they are moving forward in addressing financial issues and fundraising plans. Participants also will have the opportunity to engage their peers about ways to translate information shared during the day into proactive plans for their own organizations.
Panelists representing clergy and congregational leadership will include:
- Dennis Sasso, Congregation Beth-El Zedeck (moderator)
- Derek Duncan, E. 91st Street Christian Church
- Michael Jones, Progressive Missionary Baptist Church
- David Kosene, Congregation Beth-El Zedeck
- Frank Mansell, John Knox Presbyterian Church
- Kent Millard, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
- Larry Voelker, Church of the Holy Cross
The panel of nonprofit leaders will include:
- Elizabeth Lynn, Project on Civic Reflection (moderator)
- Ellen Annala, United Way of Central Indiana
- David Bethuram, Catholic Charities
- Ahmed El-Hattab, Islamic Society of North America
- Winifed Goldblatt, Jewish Federation
- Jay Height, Shepherd Community Center
The conference will be held May 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Christian Theological Seminary, 1000 W. 42nd Street, Indianapolis. Conference registration is $25, which includes lunch. For more information or to register online, visit www.philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/LakeFamilyInstitute.
Media are invited to attend the conference; complimentary registration is available to media wishing to cover it. Please contact Josh Sprunger at 317-278-8932 or jgsprung@iu.edu, or Adriene Davis at 317-278-8972 or adrldavi@iu.edu to register or for additional information.
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy and improving its practice worldwide through research, teaching, training and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising, and management of nonprofit organizations. A part of the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at IU Indianapolis, the Center operates program on the IU Indianapolis and IU Bloomington campuses.