Building for Impact in Goshen
This week, CDFI Friendly South Bend Region partnered with IFF to host Building for Impact in Goshen—a hands-on workshop for nonprofit leaders focused on how to plan, finance, and sustain the facilities that power their missions.
Too often, nonprofits focus on programming and fundraising while underestimating the strategic role of their physical spaces. This session tackled that head-on—offering tools and frameworks to think about buildings not as expenses, but as long-term mission assets.
Inside the Workshop
Donna Sink from IFF speaking during the workshop.
The day began with remarks from Bill Purcell from the Crossroads United who helped organize and sponsor the event, and Leonard Dow from Everence Financial, who shared how community development banking can help nonprofits strengthen their financial foundations and access flexible capital.
Alex Crowley of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund shared insights on integrating energy efficiency and sustainability into facility strategies—lowering costs, improving comfort, and supporting long-term resilience.
Our main presenter and facilities expert, Donna Sink of IFF then led an engaging presentation that broke down the essential link between facility planning and financial planning—showing how mission, space, and money must align for growth and stability.
Sam Centellas our Executive Director shared two stories of local nonprofits, who utilized lending to help them meet their mission and grow their organizations.
Participants left with practical tools, sample frameworks, and access to slide decks to continue the work within their own organizations.
A Look Inside Ryan’s Place
Following the workshop, attendees toured Ryan’s Place, a Goshen-based nonprofit providing compassionate grief support for children, teens, and families. The tour grounded the day’s discussions in reality—illustrating how thoughtful facility design and financing directly enhance a nonprofit’s capacity to deliver on its mission.
Seeing how Ryan’s Place has built an environment of healing and trust offered a powerful reminder of what “building for impact” truly means. It was especially impactful that our tour was led by the founder Rex Gleim, what an honor to learn not just about their facility, but the history and growth..
Why It Matters
The event underscored a simple truth: facility planning is mission planning. Nonprofits can’t serve effectively without spaces that work—safe, efficient, and designed for impact. By bringing together funders, lenders, and nonprofit leaders, we’re helping to bridge the gap between vision and viable financing.
What’s Next
CDFI Friendly South Bend and IFF are committed to continuing this conversation—developing future workshops, peer-learning cohorts, and one-on-one coaching for nonprofits seeking to strengthen their capital readiness.
We’re grateful to Crossroads United Way and Everence Financial for the sponsorship that made this possible—and to the incredible nonprofit leaders who joined us in Goshen. Together, we’re proving that when capital, facilities, and mission align, communities thrive.
