Grantmaking 201

Laura is a member of the Nonprofit Practice and has more than ten years of assurance and advisory experience in public accounting. Her expertise includes nonprofit financial reporting, audit preparation, outsourced accounting functions, technology solutions and implementation, and advisory services. She also has experience performing audits and attest engagements. She has experience working in several accounting systems including Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, MIP Fund Accounting, ACS Realm, and others. She is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

Laura is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Indiana CPA Society. She previously served as treasurer on the board of directors of Hancock Hope House. She previously served as a member of the finance committee at Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and actively volunteers with numerous local organizations. She also previously served as a member of the Forvis Mazars Indianapolis and Bloomington offices’ community engagement committee.

She is a graduate of Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington, with a B.S. degree in accounting and an M.B.A. degree in accounting.

Eric Hessel started working with the Community Foundation in 2003 as a youth grantmaker and has since worked in both the direct service and funding areas of nonprofits. Prior to joining HCCF full time, Eric worked in youth programming and with the US Census Bureau, in addition to building relationships in the local community that assist in strategic and effective grantmaking decisions. Eric grew up in Pittsboro and currently lives in Carmel, IN with his two dogs.

Chad started with the Tipton County Foundation in 2014 as the education program officer, coordinating scholarships and education grantmaking. In his current role as program director, he manages the Foundation's grantmaking, works with local government and non-profits on project management and fundraising, and coordinates community leadership efforts. Chad spends the majority of his free time as a board, crew, and cast member with the local community theatre.

Laura started with the Don Wood Foundation in 2018 and, since that time, served as the inaugural Executive Director. She was then promoted to President and CEO in November 2022. She is an alum of Purdue University for her undergraduate degree and completed her Masters of Nonprofit Administration and Philanthropy from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having worked in nonprofit management, fundraising, grant writing, marketing, and communications.
 
Additionally, Laura is a graduate of Leadership Lafayette and has taught as adjunct faculty for North Central College in Naperville, IL, in their master’s for Nonprofit Leadership curriculum.