Marie Beason

Marie’s deep roots in community-based programming began with her work as Executive Director of Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC) and grew throughout her career leading philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. With a career dedicated to effective nonprofit management, Marie currently serves as Capacity Building Director with Prosperity Indiana where she utilizes her skills to strengthen pathways to prosperity for Indiana families and communities.

Prior to joining Prosperity Indiana, Marie operated a consulting practice helping nonprofit clients conceptualize strategies, assess programs, and implement recommended action plans. Her consulting work impacted multiple sectors (philanthropy, food systems infrastructure, economic equality) but was primarily rooted in developing organizational capacity to meet emerging trends.

AS Director of Professional Development and Special Initiatives for the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), Marie served on IPA’s management team and executed instructional strategies for a statewide membership organization of 170 foundations. She also sourced grant funding for cross-sector initiatives impacting critical issues such as addressing the opioid crisis, promoting economic self-sufficiency, developing age-friendly communities, and postsecondary degree/credential attainment. The author of three national grant making curricula, Marie also served as a member of the United Philanthropy Forum education committee.

Directing three small community-based organizations provided Marie with skills in nonprofit financial management, strategic planning, and process analysis which enabled her to achieve high-level goals within financial targets and effectively prioritize tasks of high-volume work. Whether leading a grassroots criminal justice project or transforming a 112-year-old church into a home for 20 nonprofit organizations, Marie often feels that she has “seen it and done it all.”

Marie has dedicated her career to developing the skills and organizational capacity of diverse leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community residents. Professional development is the North Star of her career and her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Northwestern University and Master’s Degree in Instructional Design from Purdue enable her to be an engaging educator, facilitator, and presenter for a wide variety of audiences.