A Milestone for Indiana Nonprofits: Affordable Health Coverage Option Is Here
The Indiana Department of Insurance has officially approved the launch of the Nonprofit Benefits Consortium, Inc., which is designed specifically to serve Indiana nonprofit organizations.
By Roger Orth, Nonprofit Benefits Consortium President; Indiana Philanthropy Alliance Board Member; Welborn Chief Administrative Officer
As we turn the page into a new year, Indiana’s nonprofit community celebrates a significant milestone. The Indiana Department of Insurance has officially approved the launch of the Nonprofit Benefits Consortium, Inc., a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) designed specifically to serve nonprofit organizations across our state.
This achievement is years in the making. It is driven by the vision and leadership of Welborn, persistence and momentum building of NFP, supported by the collaborative efforts of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, and shaped by a longstanding need voiced by IPA members and the broader nonprofit community over many years.
Listening to Our Sector, Leading Together
As IPA board members, we have consistently heard from grantmakers and philanthropic leaders that nonprofit partners across Indiana struggle to provide affordable, high-quality health insurance. This need has also been echoed in conversations with IPA staff and our members across the state. Many nonprofits simply do not have the size or leverage to access sustainable coverage options on their own.
At Welborn, we see this challenge every day. We asked a simple but important question: How can we help nonprofits offer meaningful health benefits while remaining financially sustainable?
A MEWA is an option that many industries have used to manage health care cost increases and increase predictability over time. It allows nonprofits to pool resources, gain purchasing power, and manage healthcare costs more predictably over time. While MEWAs already exist in Indiana for other sectors such as banking, municipalities, and professional associations, this is the first MEWA created exclusively for nonprofits. It represents a long-term solution that strengthens the nonprofit workforce and, ultimately, the communities nonprofits serve.
The Power of a Philanthropic Network
This milestone would not have been possible without Welborn’s vision and financial backing, and IPA serving as the trusted convener for this work. As IPA Board Chair Brienne Hooker shared,
“This is the power of a philanthropic network. A foundation brings vision, IPA brings infrastructure, and our members bring a shared commitment to solving real challenges together.”
We are especially grateful to the initial group of early adopter members who participated in the pilot phase. Their willingness to lead allowed the MEWA to meet regulatory requirements and move forward. Because they stepped up first, many more nonprofits will soon be able to benefit.
What Comes Next
In the coming weeks, we will share details about the formal rollout of the plan. Nonprofits will be invited to visit the plan website and work directly with the plan administrator NFP through the intake system to review coverage options, evaluate rates, and determine whether enrollment makes sense for their organization.
We know members have many questions, and we deeply appreciate the patience shown over the past year as this long-awaited opportunity took shape.
As Maddison Miller, Vice President of External Relations at IPA, noted,
“This effort reflects the very best of philanthropy in action. IPA is proud to partner with Welborn and support our members in delivering a solution that will strengthen nonprofits across Indiana.”
On behalf of IPA, Welborn, and the Nonprofit Benefits Consortium, thank you for your commitment to building a stronger nonprofit sector. What began as a shared concern has become a statewide solution, and this is only the beginning.
