Dubois nonprofit leader joins statewide philanthropic leadership program

Christian Blome, who has served as president of the Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation since January 2025, was selected Jan. 13, 2026 for the 2026 class of the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute run by the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Blome completed a competitive application process and will join 21 other foundation and nonprofit executives for statewide leadership training aimed at strengthening philanthropic leadership across Indiana.

The selection puts a Dubois County nonprofit leader into a statewide cohort that focuses on governance, strategic grantmaking, and partnership building. For local residents, the immediate significance is practical: the training is designed to boost leaders' ability to mobilize resources, coordinate with public health partners, and shape programs that address social determinants of health in underserved communities.

Being for Others is known as a health and wellness foundation. Since Blome took the helm in January 2025, his leadership has been highlighted as part of the profile that led to this selection. The Mutz program typically gathers leaders from diverse regions, creating networks that help move philanthropic dollars and program expertise into rural counties like ours. That connectivity can be decisive when small nonprofits face staffing shortages, limited grantwriting capacity, and the need to respond quickly to local health needs.

Public health implications include improved coordination between local charities, clinics, schools, and social service agencies. Philanthropic leadership training can strengthen evaluation and stewardship practices that make local projects more competitive for state and national funding. For Dubois County that could mean more stable support for prevention programs, mental health services, and initiatives aimed at reducing health inequities tied to income, geography, and access to care.

The selection also highlights broader policy and equity questions. Rural and small-city communities often rely on a few key nonprofits to fill gaps left by shrinking public budgets and fragmented service delivery. Building leadership capacity among those organizations is as much about social justice as it is about administration: better-trained philanthropic leaders can direct resources toward the neighborhoods and populations most affected by chronic disease, substance use, and limited healthcare access.

As Blome moves into the Mutz program, local organizations and funders should watch for opportunities to translate new strategies into practice. Look for collaborations, shared evaluation methods, and joint funding proposals that can amplify impact across Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, and beyond.

Our two cents? Support the local nonprofits doing the heavy lifting and ask them how this training can translate into concrete services where you live. Practical change often starts with people who know the county best and now have more tools to make a difference.