GIFT Technical Assistance

Supporting our Indiana community foundations

Ask GIFT

IPA's GIFT team responds to hundreds of questions from Indiana community foundations throughout the year, ranging in scope and issue area.

To access these services, contact Technical Assistance Advisor Alisa Winters at askalisa@inphilanthropy.org.

Types of Requests

Succession Planning
Community foundations may benefit from working with this expert when planning for an upcoming leadership transition or in the midst of an unexpected vacancy. Typical requests include information on current trends in salary and benefits expectations, best practices to plan for upcoming transitions, an executive search strategy, or establishing a process to move forward during an unexpected vacancy.
Legal & Planned Giving
Laws that govern community foundations are complex and each scenario is unique. We can advise your foundation on approaching complex planned gifts, changes to funds, or updating old funds to bring them into compliance, among other things.
Finance & Accounting
Our experts deliver experience and knowledge in nonprofit accounting standards and widely used community foundation software platforms. Typical requests might include a consultation on best practices when preparing for a software conversion or a specific question about fund accounting.
HR and Personnel
ommunity foundations are all employers and must comply with labor laws. Never is the phrase “an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure” more true! We can provide guidance on the correct classification of employee types, benefits, unemployment, and disability claims or offer insight on unusual employee requests.
Executive Coaching
Community foundation leaders are fortunate to work alongside people passionate about serving their communities: donors, nonprofits, board members, other community leaders, and other staff. As such, they are often faced with complex, competing priorities. Our executive coach can serve as an experienced, trusted thought partner to help you navigate difficult decisions and communicate from a position of strength.
Individual Assistance & General Questions
 GIFT Technical Assistance Advisor Alisa Winters is available for individual assistance as needed. Contact her for any request. We maintain an extensive resource library and pursue education and professional development to serve the field. If the question requires a higher level of expertise, we will connect you with one of the Experts in Residence listed below. 

Experts in Residence

Each organization has access to one hour of consultation per year, per expert. Contact us to access these experts.