Eye on the storms: Keep giving

A message from the CICF Collaborative, including Central Indiana Community Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, IMPACT Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana

Robin Elmerick, Senior Director of Effective Philanthropy

Uncertain times can lead people to reassess their finances. Whether the uncertainty comes from markets, employment changes, politics, health concerns, or a general feeling of unpredictability, it is natural to wonder what it all means for your financial plan. For many donors, that uncertainty can raise questions about charitable giving. Should I slow down or speed up? Stop, or continue?

There is no single answer, and the philanthropy team at the CICF Collaborative will never suggest that you give beyond what feels sustainable. Often, the best approach is to adjust your plan in a way that preserves generosity while matching your current reality.

Please reach out to our team to evaluate strategies that are the best fit for you. Some examples:

  • In times of market or personal instability, pacing might be a strategy for some. Rather than making one large gift, you might spread gifts across the year or across multiple years.
  • Adjusting how much you give is always an option. Some donors shift from larger one-time gifts to steady recurring gifts because it feels easier to manage. Other donors do the opposite: they make an early-year gift when they feel confident and reassess later.
  • Some donors choose to continue supporting a core group of organizations while reducing the number of additional gifts they make.
  • On the flip side, some donors choose to lean in during moments of heightened need, recognizing that uncertainty often brings greater community demand for services. When communities are facing increased strain, additional giving can be a powerful way to stabilize essential services and respond to urgent gaps.
  • Because funds held within the CICF Collaborative are invested for long-term growth (check with your philanthropic advisor to confirm which investment pool your fund is in), some donors choose to recommend grants during volatile periods while continuing to play the long game financially, balancing immediate impact with long-term sustainability.

For people who have established a fund at an entity within the CICF Collaborative, flexibility is often one of the biggest benefits. If you use a donor-advised fund, you can contribute when it makes sense for your situation, then recommend grants over time.

Uncertainty can also be a moment to revisit why you give. Many donors find that charitable giving is one of the most grounding parts of their lives when things feel unsettled. Giving can be a way to stay connected to the community, reinforce values, and help stabilize organizations that serve or protect vulnerable people. For that reason, some donors choose to continue giving even if they adjust the pace or the focus.

For some, uncertainty calls for caution; for others, it calls for action. Both can be thoughtful, values-driven approaches to philanthropy.

We are here to help you think through these choices without pressure. We can help you evaluate options that fit your goals, connect you with information about community needs, and support you in building a plan that feels both meaningful and sustainable. If you are feeling uncertain, reach out. Often, a brief conversation can clarify what generosity can look like in this season — and help you feel confident about your next step.

 

About the author

Senior Director of Effective Philanthropy Robin Elmerick 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.

 

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 »