Also, Community Howard offering med disposal, flu shots; SBA disaster relief loans now available
This article is brought to you by Elect Lisa Washington for Howard County Commissioner District 1. As your county commissioner, I will bring transparency & accountability to local government where it is sorely lacking, ensure our county facilities & infrastructure are properly managed, meaning taxpayer dollars are used more effectively, and bridge the gap in communication between our local and state elected officials to ensure your voice is heard by everyone who represents you.
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Emily Hemersbach, Marketing and Communications Director at the Community Foundation serving Howard, Clinton and Carroll Counties, has graduated from the 2026 John M. Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute, a statewide leadership program of Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Hemersbach was one of 21 graduates recognized during the Philanthropy Leads Dinner on Sept. 2 in Indianapolis.
The Mutz Institute prepares rising professionals for board and executive leadership in philanthropy and their communities. Throughout the year, participants learn from leaders across philanthropy, business, government, higher education and the nonprofit sector, explore issues shaping Indiana and build relationships with peers from across the state.
Hemersbach is the Marketing and Communications Director at the Foundation, where she has worked for more than four years. Across the Foundation’s three-county service area, she leads brand and communications strategy to elevate local philanthropy and share stories of donor generosity and nonprofit success.
Hemersbach brings prior experience in healthcare management and is active in volunteer and advocacy work with the Immune Deficiency Foundation, a cause close to her heart. Through her work, she strives to foster collaboration and honor the philanthropic legacy of past generations.
“The Mutz Institute affirmed in me that we need each other, and that real progress happens when we have the humility to let our ideas be challenged and shaped by people whose experiences differ from our own,” said Hemersbach. “The relationships I built with this cohort are proof that we can’t do this work apart. I’m leaving with a network of leaders across the state to keep building with, and I’m bringing that same spirit of collaboration back to my work at the Foundation.”
“This class brought an incredible energy to the Mutz Institute,” said Maddison Miller, IPA vice president and director of the Mutz Institute. “They came ready to ask thoughtful questions, learn from different perspectives and build meaningful relationships with one another. I’m proud of how they have grown as leaders, and I know the connections they formed through this experience will continue to strengthen philanthropy and communities across Indiana.”
Nearly 500 philanthropic, nonprofit, civic, and local news leaders attended the Philanthropy Leads Dinner, which also marked the launch of Press Forward Indiana, a statewide initiative hosted by IPA to strengthen local news and information. The evening featured national philanthropic leaders Dale Anglin of Press Forward, Jamie Merisotis of Lumina Foundation and John Palfrey of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
The focus on local news held special significance for a leadership program named in honor of John M. Mutz, an IPA founder and former Indiana lieutenant governor whose career has spanned government, business and philanthropy. Mutz has long championed civic engagement and the importance of trusted information to strong communities.
Launched by IPA in 2021, the Mutz Institute combines leadership development, philanthropic education and exposure to issues shaping Indiana. More than 120 professionals have participated in the program, creating a statewide network of leaders equipped with new knowledge, relationships and perspectives to strengthen philanthropy and the communities they serve.
Applications for the 2027 Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute are open through Oct. 2, 2026. Learn more at inphilanthropy.org/mutz.
Community Howard offering med disposal, flu shots
Community Howard Regional Health will host a drive-thru medication disposal and free flu vaccine clinic on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Community Surgery Center, 3503 S. Reed Road.
Drop off prescriptions, over-the-counter pills, liquid medications, vitamins, and pet medicines. Needles/sharps, mercury/thermometers, chemotherapy/radioactive substances, oxygen containers, pressurized containers/inhalers and illicit drugs cannot be accepted.
Free flu vaccines are available while supplies last for adults 18+ at the CommunityCare Mobile in the east parking lot off US 931. For more information call 765-776-8593.
SBA disaster relief loans now available
In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued Aug. 25, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low interest disaster loans for Indiana businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and residents affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning Aug. 11.
The declaration covers Indiana primary counties of Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, LaPorte, Lake, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from SBA.
Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Bartholomew, Blackford, Boone, Brown, Cass, Clinton, Fulton, Grant, Hendricks, Howard, Jasper, Jay, Jennings, Johnson, Marshall, Monroe, Newton, Ohio, Owen, Putnam, Ripley, Shelby, St. Joseph, Starke, Tippecanoe, and White.
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20 percent of their physical damage, as verified by SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofits — including faith-based organizations — impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or private nonprofit did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.625 percent for private nonprofits, and 3 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
“Through a presidential declaration, SBA provides financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at SBA. “We offer disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits affected by the disaster.”
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline for returning applications for physical property damage is Oct. 25. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 25, 2027. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.