McKinney Family Foundation Powers New Energy Efficiency Program for Indianapolis Nonprofits

Indianapolis nonprofits are getting help to cut energy costs and reinvest more dollars into their missions thanks to a new program led by the McKinney Family Foundation.

The Thriving Nonprofits initiative, launched in partnership with the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability and the nonprofit lender IFF, provides selected organizations with professional energy assessments and grants of up to $10,000 to make recommended upgrades.

The goal: help nonprofits lower utility bills and redirect savings toward the people and communities they serve.

“The goal is to allow us to provide funding to Indianapolis nonprofits to reduce their overall energy bill, so they can have more money to fulfill their missions,” said Stephanie Goodrid Lawson, executive director of McKinney Family Foundation.

This first-year pilot drew 44 applicants; ten nonprofits were selected, including Second Helpings, which rescues food, combats hunger, and provides culinary job training. Second Helpings’ leadership says energy efficiency upgrades will help keep their facility safe and comfortable for volunteers while freeing up funds to deliver even more meals to the community.

The program was inspired by similar efforts in South Bend and Bloomington, which are funded by local tax dollars. In Indianapolis, McKinney Family Foundation stepped in to provide philanthropic support so city funds were not required.

Organizers hope the pilot will serve as a model for expansion. “We’re hoping that more individuals and foundations will join McKinney Family Foundation so we can expand this and do a lot more for Indianapolis,” Goodrid Lawson said.

The ten nonprofits participating in 2025 include: Aspire Higher Foundation, B-SIDE Creative Campus, Coburn Place Safe Haven, Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Community Alliance of Far Eastside, Fairview Presbyterian Church, HealthNet, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center Outreach, Second Helpings, and Outreach Inc.

Future application details will be shared by the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability as planning for the 2026 program moves forward.