She Glows
Carrie Minnich
By Stacie Ball | Photo by Jeffrey Crane
Goshen native Carrie Minnich came from a small community but has been making things count in the Summit City since the early 2000s. The small-town girl turned big(ish)-city CPA has a heart for nonprofits and budgets her time to help many organizations in Fort Wayne.
After graduating from high school in Nappanee, Minnich sought out the best accounting program in Indiana and applied to Manchester College
(University), where she met her future husband, John. She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in financial accounting and in 2002 with a Master of Accountancy. Greenwalt Sponsel in Indy provided her first job in public accounting, but by 2004, she opted to move back to John’s hometown, Fort Wayne. During that busy summer, they got married, started new jobs, and built a house — all while falling in love with the welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
“I’ve always been drawn to the mission of nonprofits and working with them to make our community a better place to live,” Minnich explained. Sometimes nonprofits don’t have the resources to invest in training. Minnich helps board members and nonprofit leaders feel more equipped and confident in their roles. She makes support easy to find and use, and writes a biweekly blog, MissionMinded, that covers various topics specific to nonprofits, from accounting and taxes to board service and fundraising. She leads a bimonthly webinar series and provides in-person trainings, covering topics based on what she sees every day working with nonprofit organizations.
“I genuinely enjoy the opportunity to connect with and support nonprofits,” Minnich informed, “Nonprofits already carry a lot of responsibility, and I aim to provide information that is practical and relevant. I value that I’ve grown into someone nonprofits feel they can trust. What means the most to me is being able to break down complex topics in a way that makes their work a little easier.”
In addition to her profession, Minnich has served on numerous community boards. Get on Board Committee Co-Chair, Fort Wayne Children’s Choir Board Member, and United Way of Allen County Strategic Planning Committee are only a few. She currently serves on the Turnstone and Foellinger Foundation boards.
“Through my board service, I’ve been able to meet with and work with people that I normally wouldn’t be able to do so in my normal job,” she shared. “I’ve learned more through this experience than I could have in any class or training session. Not only have I gained a deeper understanding of our community and the organizations within it, but I’ve also learned how to work effectively with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints. I’ve grown in my leadership skills and developed a clearer understanding of what it truly takes to run an organization.”
Outside of work, Minnich enjoys running or walking on the trails, cheering for Notre Dame football, and doing puzzles.
“One of my favorite things about our community is the trail system,” she said. “We’re lucky to live close to the Pufferbelly Trail, which is just a short run from my front door. It’s a great way to be outside, stay active, and see the community differently.”
Minnich encourages people to consider getting involved with a nonprofit, citing that there are 1,898,175 nonprofits in the US registered with the IRS: 43,589 in Indiana and 1,893 in Fort Wayne. That doesn’t include churches, religious organizations, or tiny organizations that aren’t required to register.
“Each one of those organizations depends on dedicated board members to guide the organization. Board service is a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and see your community from a new perspective, all while making a meaningful contribution,” she said.
Goshen native Carrie Minnich came from a small community but has been making things count in the Summit City since the early 2000s. The small-town girl turned big(ish)-city CPA has a heart for nonprofits and budgets her time to help many organizations in Fort Wayne.
After graduating from high school in Nappanee, Minnich sought out the best accounting program in Indiana and applied to Manchester College
(University), where she met her future husband, John. She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in financial accounting and in 2002 with a Master of Accountancy. Greenwalt Sponsel in Indy provided her first job in public accounting, but by 2004, she opted to move back to John’s hometown, Fort Wayne. During that busy summer, they got married, started new jobs, and built a house — all while falling in love with the welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
“I’ve always been drawn to the mission of nonprofits and working with them to make our community a better place to live,” Minnich explained. Sometimes nonprofits don’t have the resources to invest in training. Minnich helps board members and nonprofit leaders feel more equipped and confident in their roles. She makes support easy to find and use, and writes a biweekly blog, MissionMinded, that covers various topics specific to nonprofits, from accounting and taxes to board service and fundraising. She leads a bimonthly webinar series and provides in-person trainings, covering topics based on what she sees every day working with nonprofit organizations.
“I genuinely enjoy the opportunity to connect with and support nonprofits,” Minnich informed, “Nonprofits already carry a lot of responsibility, and I aim to provide information that is practical and relevant. I value that I’ve grown into someone nonprofits feel they can trust. What means the most to me is being able to break down complex topics in a way that makes their work a little easier.”
In addition to her profession, Minnich has served on numerous community boards. Get on Board Committee Co-Chair, Fort Wayne Children’s Choir Board Member, and United Way of Allen County Strategic Planning Committee are only a few. She currently serves on the Turnstone and Foellinger Foundation boards.
“Through my board service, I’ve been able to meet with and work with people that I normally wouldn’t be able to do so in my normal job,” she shared. “I’ve learned more through this experience than I could have in any class or training session. Not only have I gained a deeper understanding of our community and the organizations within it, but I’ve also learned how to work effectively with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints. I’ve grown in my leadership skills and developed a clearer understanding of what it truly takes to run an organization.”
Outside of work, Minnich enjoys running or walking on the trails, cheering for Notre Dame football, and doing puzzles.
“One of my favorite things about our community is the trail system,” she said. “We’re lucky to live close to the Pufferbelly Trail, which is just a short run from my front door. It’s a great way to be outside, stay active, and see the community differently.”
Minnich encourages people to consider getting involved with a nonprofit, citing that there are 1,898,175 nonprofits in the US registered with the IRS: 43,589 in Indiana and 1,893 in Fort Wayne. That doesn’t include churches, religious organizations, or tiny organizations that aren’t required to register.
“Each one of those organizations depends on dedicated board members to guide the organization. Board service is a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and see your community from a new perspective, all while making a meaningful contribution,” she said.