Philanthropy advising? Yes, we do that!

Written by:
Robin Elmerick, Sr Director of Effective Philanthropy

Recently, several attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors have shared with us that affluent clients have begun to ask for guidance far beyond traditional estate, tax, and investment matters. 

For example, clients are asking their advisors: 

  • “Is there someone who can help us figure out whether our charitable giving is really making a difference?” 
  • “If we want our kids to make their own money, that means we have to find an alternate landing place for the bulk of our wealth. Where do we even begin?” 
  • “Now that we’re retired and have more time to spend in the community, what should we do? Should we join boards of directors? How can we better engage with organizations we currently support, or discover new opportunities for charitable giving?  “ 

If your clients are asking questions like this, please give us a call—there’s help waiting for you at the CICF Collaborative (which includes Central Indiana Community Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, IMPACT Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana).  

Indeed, even in an era when a new type of professional—the standalone philanthropy advisor—is emerging, these disciplines are nothing new for us.  

Here are a few of the ways we shine: 

  • Our team is well-equipped to help your clients structure their philanthropy, design roles for the next generation, develop a grantmaking plan, and evaluate various avenues for how your clients can invest their time and talent, as well as their wealth, to make the community better. 
  • As Central Indiana’s original “philanthropy advisors,” the CICF Collaborative offers deep insight into regional needs, vetted nonprofit networks, flexible giving structures, and coaching that complements your legal, tax, and financial planning advice. 
  • We operate day in and day out at the intersection of donors, nonprofits, and civic infrastructure. That means we understand where impact can be achieved—and where it can’t—better than most external consultants.  
  • Our staff know local nonprofits’ strengths, growth trajectories, operational challenges, and, importantly, the people at these nonprofits. 
  • The team at CICF Collaborative has vast experience helping donors design effective grants, measure outcomes, and convene collaborations.  
  • Our team can help establish a structure to achieve your clients’ philanthropic goals while also working with you to align clients’ tax and estate planning goals with that structure. Vehicles include donor-advised funds, field-of-interest funds, designated funds, endowed funds, charitable remainder trusts, estate gifts, unrestricted gifts, or a combination of several. 

Please reach out anytime! Our team is here to help your clients support their favorite causes and make a positive impact on our community. We are committed to serving as your partner in all aspects of your clients’ charitable giving. 

About the CICF Collaborative 

CICF Collaborative is a partnership of philanthropic organizations working together to strengthen communities across the region. Each entity within the CICF Collaborative (including the cornerstone entities, Central Indiana Community Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, IMPACT Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana) brings deep knowledge, strong relationships, and its own individual, focused mission. The CICF Collaborative unites the entities by providing shared services, allowing the entities to operate more efficiently and effectively. By leveraging what we each do best, we’re able to better serve our communities and create more lasting impact, together. Learn more » 

About the Author 

Robin Elmerick, senior director of effective philanthropy has been with CICF since 2019. A certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor, she works closely with fundholders across all entities of the CICF Collaborative to help them define their philanthropic strategies and maximize their impact. With a background in nonprofit leadership and consulting, she is passionate about bridging the needs of the community with the missions of nonprofits and the passions of our fundholders, aligning all three to create meaningful change in Central Indiana and beyond.