Indiana Sports Corp received Distinguished Recognition in the Nonprofit of the Year category; Shiel Sexton named In-Kind Supporter of the Year

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Sports Corp received Distinguished Recognition in the Nonprofit of the Year category, while Shiel Sexton was named In-Kind Supporter of the Year for its support of the 2026 NCAA® Men’s Final Four® Legacy Project, IBJ Media announced as part of its 2026 Nonprofit Excellence Awards. Now in its second year, the IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards recognize high-performing nonprofit organizations, partners and leaders across Indiana.

"Nonprofits play an essential role in addressing some of the greatest challenges and pursuing many of the greatest opportunities facing Indiana," said Nate Feltman, IBJ Media's CEO, owner and publisher. "In partnership with KSM, the IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards recognize the tremendous impact nonprofit organizations, their leaders and partners are having across Indiana.”

Indiana Sports Corp builds stronger communities through sport by hosting world-class events and working with partners to create a lasting impact across Indiana. In 2026, Indianapolis hosted the NCAA® Men’s Final Four® for the ninth time and set viewership records on TNT Sports, as well as single-day and overall attendance records at Men’s Final Four Fan Fest in the Indiana Convention Center. It marked the first time a city hosted the Division I, II, III, and NIT men’s basketball championships over the same weekend. Indianapolis also hosted the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament and is preparing to host the Big Ten’s Volleyball Tournament and  Football Championship, the Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Championship, and the 2026 Indy Classic.

In 2024, Indiana Sports Corp launched its 25-year statewide sports strategy, called 2050 Vision, to make Indiana the epicenter of sports through five strategic pillars: Sports Events, Sports Tech, Sports Academia, Sports Business Leadership, and Women’s Sports. This year, the W.E. Are Next program, developed in partnership with Bloombase, graduated its first cohort. The program builds a long-term leadership pipeline for women shaping the future of sports, business, innovation, and culture.

Shiel Sexton was recognized for its in-kind support for the NCAA Men's Final Four Legacy Project, presented by Dove Men+Care, that transformed the basketball court and additional spaces at Christian Park Family Center. The project created an enhanced basketball and recreation destination on Indianapolis’ near eastside where families and community members can gather throughout the year. The space now features a newly refinished basketball court with updated graphics and sport lines. Additional upgrades include new wall and backboard padding, basketball rims, ball racks, and basketballs. The facility also received fresh paint throughout, a refinished floor in the auxiliary meeting room, and additional improvements throughout the center.

View the full list of 2026 IBJ Nonprofit Excellence Awards honorees.