07.12.2023

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Today’s Forecast

39º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 8:06 a.m. | Sunset 5:33 p.m.

Finance

Charitable giving slumped 10.5% in 2022 — here’s how to give back locally

Someone's hand adding a coin to a clear plastic piggy bank.

Individual donors gave 13.4% less in 2022 than in 2021, after adjusting for inflation. | Photo by Joslyn Pickens via Pexels

Giving USA released its latest report on charitable giving in the US — and after a record high of $517 billion in 2021, 2022 saw Americans give $499 billion total.

That’s a decrease of 3.4% without adjusting for inflation, and 10.5% in inflation-adjusted terms — making it the largest slump in charitable giving the US has seen since the Great Recession.

What caused the decline? Factors include individuals having less to give. While cost of living rose nationwide, disposable personal income fell over 6% in 2022 when adjusted for inflation, and the stock market saw its worst overall performance since 2008. Meanwhile, charitable gifts that were given were economically less valuable due to inflation’s steep rise.

Want to make an impact? Here’s how to support local causes that matter to you.

Consider a recurring gift. Instead of donating one large gift at the end of the year, set up monthly, recurring, incremental gifts to the charity you want to support. This can help maintain nonprofits’ cash flow and ability to forecast revenue.

Don’t forget gifts are tax deductible. Make it easy by making gifts on a credit card — many accounts will automatically pull a list of all your charitable donations from the past year.

Volunteer your time. Have less to spend? Head to that “Volunteer” section on a local group’s web page — we’ve got a guide including 23 volunteer opportunities around Indianapolis.

Not familiar with local organizations? Here are three that directly support local causes:

Paws & Think | This nonprofit organization focuses on the at-risk community — both human and canine. Its programs, including pet therapy and youth canine programs, serve Marion and the surrounding counties.
Damar | Damar offers a full range of services for children, teens, and adults with developmental, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities through residential + community-based treatment, autism services, education, and outpatient behavioral health.
Camptown | This local nonprofit is on a mission to challenge, mentor, and teach young people about life through outdoor adventure + nature programs that help build confidence, character, and hope.

Events

Wednesday, July 12

Canal Nights | Wednesday, July 12 | 5-7 p.m. | Indiana State Museum canal entrance, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | This Canal Night’s theme is “Chemistry is Everywhere” — explore the basics of chemistry and how it can be found even in the smallest of places.

Thursday, July 13

Groove Essential | Thursday, July 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis | $0-$65 | Admission to the History Center is free on Thursdays during concert season — enjoy live music + food and beverage service will be available at the Stardust Terrace Café.

Friday, July 14

Spiked Lemonade Stand | Friday, July 14 | 5-9 p.m. | Hotel Tango Distillery, 702 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis | Cost of purchase | Coburn Place receives 25% of the bar sales during this event featuring specialty lemonade-inspired cocktails and mocktails, live music, a jewelry sale, food trucks and vendors, plus a 50/50 cash raffle.

Saturday, July 15

AfroFest | Saturday, July 15 | 6-10 p.m. | The Park at the Phoenix, 712 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis | $20 | Indulge in the richness of African heritage through music, food, and games at this family-friendly celebration of African culture.

Sunday, July 16

Drag Me To Brunch | Sunday, July 16 | 2:30 p.m. | Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, 1 Carmichael Square, Carmel | $15-$25 | Drag your friends to a fun morning of food, entertainment, and drinks where Pat Yo’ Weave will take the stage and strut her stuff along with her fellow Queens.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Last Call

💸 Deals on deals on deals

The best 2023 Prime Day deals to upgrade every room in the house

A photo of the Samsung TV "The Frame" with an oil painting of a tree displayed.

Yup, it’s on sale — snag the Samsung TV that doubles as a work of art. | Photo via Amazon

Boy, do we have good news for you: Amazon’s Prime Day deals are here. Browse our favorites:

Prime Day deal: SAMSUNG The Frame TV, ~~$1,497.99~~ $987.99 — Finally get a magazine-worthy living room with a TV that looks like a picture frame and displays art when it’s turned off.

Prime Day deal: Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, ~~$329~~ $229 — This tried and true favorite has up to 22 hours of battery life.

See top deals for home

News Notes

Development

Yesterday, IMS Museum launched a $89 million campaign to overhaul and transform the 47-year-old museum. In addition to the major renovation, it also plans to create an endowment to support future investments. Keep an eye on your inbox. We’ll have more details on this development in tomorrow’s newsletter.

Traffic

Friendly reminder. After several recent crashes, officials are reminding drivers of the amended “Move Over or Slow Down” law, which took effect on July 1. The law requires all drivers on a road with two or more lanes to move over if a car is broken down on the side of the road. (WTHR)

Coming Soon

A new shop featuring mochi donuts and boba tea is coming to downtown. Mochi Munchi will be located at 36 E. Washington St. There’s no details on an opening date yet, but follow along on social media for updates.

Biz

Walmart announced it’s spending $108 million to expand its distribution center in Seymour — which will double the facility’s shipping capacity + add automation technology to increase the speed in which merchandise gets sent to stores. The first phase of the project is scheduled to begin later this year and continue into 2024. (IBJ)

Concert

Farm Aid — a daylong music festival to highlight the work of America’s farmers — will return to Indiana for the first time since 2001. It’s set for Saturday, Sept. 23 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville + will feature Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. (WISH)

Edu

IPS announced five sites where pre-K classes are being added this school year — with each of the four new enrollment zones getting at least one new pre-K location as part of the district’s expansive Rebuilding Stronger plan. Also new this school year: seven schools will offer special education pre-K. (IndyStar)

Ranked

If you want to work remote, Indy is the place. Forbes recently analyzed which cities were the best for remote workers by looking at metrics like cost of living, annual taxes, and internet download speeds — and Indy ranked the No. 2 best city in the US in 2023. The Indianapolis, Carmel, and Anderson metro areas earned high scores. (IndyStar)

The Word

Broncearse. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

Trending

It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day. Shop the deals, including 30% off the TV that looks like a picture frame on your wall.*

Shop

It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day sales — aka, discounts on everything from iPads to furniture to nugget ice makers. Surf the sales or check out our picks. Note: Deals may be subject to change.

Family

Keep crumbs and messes under control with the iRobot Roomba that empties itself — it’s $400 off (yes, you read that right).

Eat

Bread makers are making a comeback, and we totally get why (read: soft, warm, homemade bread). Snag the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker that’s $34 off.

Arts

Customize tees, pillows, and totes with the Cricut Heat Press Machine’s pro-level heat-transfer that lasts through repeated washes. Get it while it’s 20% off.

Outdoors

Keep comfy and cool this summer with wear-anywhere black running shorts, discounted down from $24.99 to $18.39.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicole Hernandez

From the editor

Speaking of supporting local charities — Tinker House Events has started hosting “Friday Fundraising” where the venue will raise money for a different local foundation each Friday through a drink to donate. There will be food from Gordito’s, ice cream from Wylie Palooza, and craft cocktails from Tinker. This Friday, July 14 from 6 to 9 p.m., donations will benefit Camptown.

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