Planning for Programatic & Financial Longevity

The Salvation Army began its work in Indianapolis in March 1889, initially operating from East New York Street. Founded by William and Catherine Booth in 1865 in London, the organization aimed to minister to the homeless and destitute. Over the years, the Salvation Army in Indianapolis has expanded its services to include homelessness support, substance abuse treatment, food insecurity relief, job training, and health assistance. Key facilities include the Harbor Light Center, a drug and alcohol treatment center, and the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center, an emergency shelter. The organization continues to play a vital role in addressing systemic poverty and supporting marginalized communities in Indianapolis.

As with many nonprofit organizations, the Salvation Army needed assistance planning for a sustainable future. To aid in this process, Bridge Builder Strategies created a comprehensive strategic playbook to set the organization up for long-term success. Our efforts began with an environmental, organizational, and peer organizational analysis that was used to identify best practices, external influences, and create a risk/opportunity matrix.

From here, we conducted stakeholder interviews and collected data on the state of the community. After analyzing all the data and doing a combined analysis, we identified five strategic objectives the Salvation Army needs to focus on moving forward. We then built out timelines, outlined tactics to support each objective, and defined measures to track progress.

Today, Bridge Builder Strategies remains engaged as a strategic thought partner—providing ongoing support, offering fresh perspective as new challenges arise, and helping the Salvation Army stay aligned to its mission while adapting to a shifting landscape. The work continues, grounded in shared commitment and a clear path forward.