GREENFIELD — Katie Ottinger feels driven to make a difference in the world around her.
As the community investment and grants officer for the Community Foundation of Hancock County, she’s able to make a big impact on nonprofits and those they serve throughout the county.
Ottinger has been selected as one of 22 “exceptional individuals” from across the state to take part in the John M. Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute.
The institute’s Class of 2024 meets once or twice monthly — January through October — to learn how to make even bigger impacts in their communities.
Ottinger’s team at the local community foundation encouraged her to apply to participate so that she could not only grow professionally but use the knowledge she gains to positively impact nonprofits throughout Hancock County.
“I want to just glean anything I can to bring back to Hancock County and back to my work here at the foundation,” she said.
Ottinger said it’s a huge honor to be a part of this year’s leadership class.
According to the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance: “This year’s class comprises a vibrant mix of outstanding professionals from various sectors, including foundations, corporations and social impact organizations, all united in their commitment to driving positive change in Indiana.”
The learning sessions promise to provide leaders with a “transformative experience,” equipping them with the tools to make a significant impact in their communities and beyond.
Ottinger feels like the leadership class members will learn as much from each other as they do the variety of impactful speakers lined up throughout the year.
The Mutz leadership initiative, now in its fourth year, is dedicated to enhancing the skills of professional leaders within Indiana’s philanthropic sector.
This year’s class comprises a mix of professionals from various fields, including foundations, corporations and social impact organizations, all united in their commitment to driving positive change in Indiana.
According to the IPA, the class members showcase the diverse and dynamic nature of Indiana’s philanthropic community.
IPA President and CEO Claudia Cummings said the program not only celebrates the significant contributions of John M. Mutz, who established the IPA, but also aims to instill wisdom and knowledge in its participants, igniting a passion for philanthropy and community improvement.
“We want to imbue the individuals who graduate from our program with a lot of knowledge and wisdom,” said Mutz, who was elected to both the Indiana House of Representatives the state Senate and served as Indiana’s 45th lieutenant governor from 1980-1988.
Ottinger said being part of this year’s leadership class will no doubt help her positively impact nonprofits close to home.
“It’s very much about learning best practices and learning from what others are doing, but also knowing the makeup of your own community and thinking about what would work in order to better serve the nonprofits in your area,” she said.
Ottinger first joined the local community foundation as its education officer in 2016, overseeing the administration of scholarships, before moving into her current role as the community investment and grants officer about six years ago.
While it’s hard to count the expansive number of service organizations and nonprofits throughout the county, she said each one plays a special role in supporting the county.
“There’s just something really special about working in the community where you live and where you grew up,” said Ottinger, who graduated from Greenfield-Central High School in 2008.
The lifelong Greenfield resident left only to pursue and earn a journalism degree at Franklin College, and persuaded her husband Matt to move to Greenfield when they got married seven years ago.
She and her husband, who works in media relations for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, are now raising an 18-year-old son they adopted in 2021.
Ottinger believes Hancock County is a great place to grow up and raise a family, and she is happy to have found a job she feels makes an impact on how the community grows and serves its residents.
“I just really have a heart for Hancock County, and that’s only grown in my work with our nonprofits,” she said.
While she wasn’t really aware of the huge role nonprofits play in the community when she was in high school, she’s gained an intimate knowledge of the local nonprofits over the years and is continually overwhelmed by the impact they make on those they serve.
“Since I’ve gotten into this job, it’s just been really overwhelming for me to see the spirit we have here for helping each other out and doing what we can to make sure everybody can live the best lives that they can,” said Ottinger.
“It’s just really encouraging and very humbling to be in this space and to get to support them,” she said.
For more information about the 2024 The 2024 Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute, visit INphilanthropy.org/mutz.
