Fathers and Families Center President and CEO Larry Smith Named IBJ Nonprofit Executive of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2026

Fathers and Families Center President and CEO Larry Smith Named IBJ Nonprofit Executive of the Year

Recognition honors Smith’s leadership and commitment to strengthening fathers, families, and communities across Central Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — Fathers and Families Center President and CEO Larry Smith has been named 2026 Nonprofit Executive of the Year in the small nonprofit category by the Indianapolis Business Journal as part of its 2026 IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards.

IBJ Media announced the honors on June 30. Now in its second year, the IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards recognize high-performing nonprofit organizations, partners and leaders across Indiana. Honorees will be recognized at the IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.

“This recognition is truly about the fathers, families, staff, partners and supporters who make this work possible every day,” Smith said. “At Fathers and Families Center, we believe that when fathers are equipped and supported, children thrive and families grow stronger. I am grateful to IBJ for recognizing the importance of this work and the role nonprofits play in building a stronger Indiana.”

Fathers and Families Center equips fathers and strengthens families across Central Indiana through services focused on parenting, employment, education, healthy relationships and family stability. Its flagship program, Strong Fathers, is a three-week, 90-hour class that includes parenting workshops, trauma healing, communication skill-building and job readiness support. After graduation, participants are eligible for additional services, including vocational training, job placement assistance, high school equivalency exam preparation and the Healthy Couples program.

Since it began in 1993, Fathers and Families Center has served more than 27,000 fathers. In 2025, the organization served 1,225 men across its programs.

Smith’s recognition comes as Fathers and Families Center continues to expand its reach and prepare for its next chapter of service. The organization recently launched its $5.5 million Vision for the Future campaign, the largest campaign in its history, to support program expansion, additional staff capacity and its move to Brougher Plaza. Once fully funded, the expansion will allow Fathers and Families Center to serve more fathers and families each year.

“Larry’s leadership has kept Fathers and Families Center grounded in its mission while preparing the organization for meaningful growth,” said Michael Martin Drain, Board Chair of Fathers and Families Center and President/CEO of StepUp, Inc. “He leads with conviction, compassion, and a clear understanding that stronger fathers help build stronger families and a stronger community. This recognition is well-deserved and reflects the impact of his work across Central Indiana.”

IBJ Media, in partnership with awards sponsor KSM, will contribute a total of $120,000 to select honoree organizations through the 2026 Nonprofit Excellence Awards program. Smith is one of two leaders recognized in the Nonprofit Executive of the Year category, alongside Fred Glass of Gleaners Food Bank, who was named in the large nonprofit category.

To learn more about Fathers and Families Center, visit ffcindiana.org.

About Fathers and Families Center

Fathers and Families Center equips fathers and empowers families so children thrive. Since 1993, Fathers and Families Center has helped fathers across Central Indiana build stronger relationships with their children, gain stability and take practical steps toward a stronger future for themselves and their families.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Drew Jones

Communications Manager

Fathers and Families Center

djones@ffcindiana.org

502-930-6040

MEDIA ASSETS: https://f.io/YFV0nCJf