Urgent needs, tax law changes, and charitable giving opportunities

Written by Robin Elmerick, CICF Senior Director of Effective Philanthropy 

Nonprofits serving Central Indiana families are working tirelessly to meet growing demand. Whether acute challenges from time to time are triggered by a political stalemate, a natural disaster, or broader economic factors, the community foundation stands beside you. We know that nonprofits are on the front lines of every crisis, and we want to share a few strategies to help you sustain and grow the support your organization needs during this and other periods of uncertainty. 

Highlight your local impact. 

Donors—including those with donor-advised funds and those giving through the community foundation—want to know their dollars make a difference for Hoosiers. Be specific when you describe how your organization is responding to current needs. Share stories that not only illustrate urgency, but also show measurable outcomes and accountability. Local donors trust nonprofits that communicate clearly and demonstrate tangible results for families and neighborhoods in crisis. 

Tap into donor-advised fund generosity.  

As donor-advised funds are ready to be granted quickly when compelling needs arise. Now is the time to reach out to your supporters who hold donor-advised funds and remind them that their giving can make an immediate impact. When you make it easy for them to recommend a grant—by providing your organization’s full legal name, EIN, and a clear purpose, for example—you help remove barriers to giving. 

Connect your appeal to the timing of tax law changes.  

The urgency of community needs in late 2025 aligns with an important window for donors who itemize their deductions. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), limits on charitable deductions will tighten beginning in 2026. This means that donors who “front-load” their giving this year—by contributing more before the new rules take effect—may be able to maximize both their tax benefits and their philanthropic impact. In your communications, remind donors that giving now not only helps your organization meet needs in Central Indiana but also may allow them to take advantage of favorable tax treatment while it lasts. 

Promote partnership and resilience.  

Crises rarely happen just once—they recur in different forms and at unexpected times. Encourage your supporters to think long term by contributing to your reserve fund, endowment, or sustainability initiatives. At the CICF Collaborative, we are always ready to partner with you to design endowment funds and other giving opportunities that strengthen your organization’s ability to respond to future challenges. By building relationships with your donors now, you can help ensure that support is available when the next urgent need arises. 

As always, we are here to support Central Indiana. We are honored to work with many donors who care about your mission. Together, we can ensure that our community’s nonprofits remain strong, adaptable, and ready to serve—no matter what challenges come next. 

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 CICF Collaborative, Hamilton County CICF Collaborative, 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.