Philanthropy starts with a love of humanity

By Robin Elmerick, Sr. Director of Effective Philanthropy

The word “philanthropy” comes from Greek roots, translating to a “love of humanity”. At its heart, philanthropy reflects a deeply personal desire to help others, strengthen community and make a difference in ways that matter to you. 

For some people, philanthropy means supporting a favorite nonprofit or two year after year. For others, it means volunteering time, responding to urgent needs, or helping shape long-term community change. However it takes shape, philanthropy is not one-size-fits-all. 

That’s where CICF comes in. 

We work with donors across Central Indiana to help turn charitable intentions into meaningful action. 

Often, the process starts with a simple conversation. 

We’ll explore what you already care about
Many donors already support organizations and causes that reflect their values. Together, we can look at the nonprofits, issues and experiences that matter most to you and explore how your giving might become even more intentional over time. 

We’ll talk about your story
The causes people care about most are often connected to personal experiences, family history or moments that shaped their lives. Understanding those connections can help clarify the kind of impact you want to have. 

We’ll explore mission-driven giving 
By discussing your values and philanthropic interests, we can help define what mission-driven giving looks like for you. Are multiple family members or individuals involved in your grantmaking? Great. We’ll identify commonalities across each person’s values and interests and work together to define a shared “sweet spot” that moves your philanthropy from reactive and impulse-driven to intentional, strategic, and rooted in the change you want to create in the world.

We’ll connect your passions to community needs
Whatever your philanthropic passions may be, one of the advantages of working with a community foundation is our deep knowledge of the community and the organizations doing meaningful work to strengthen it. From food insecurity and nonprofit sustainability to parks, trails and civic infrastructure, Central Indiana faces both challenges and opportunities that benefit from thoughtful philanthropy. We can help connect you to organizations and initiatives working to strengthen the region and improve quality of life for everyone who calls it home. 

We’ll work alongside your advisors
As your charitable goals take shape, CICF can partner with your attorneys, accountants and financial advisors to help structure a giving plan aligned with your broader financial and estate planning goals. Whether through a donor-advised fund, legacy gift, unrestricted fund or another charitable vehicle, we can help implement your intentions in a thoughtful and flexible way. 

Most importantly, you do not need to have every answer right away. Philanthropy is a journey that evolves over time alongside your life, family, and priorities. 

Whether you are considering establishing a fund, looking to deepen the impact of your existing philanthropy held with us, strengthen your community involvement, or simply begin exploring what purposeful giving could look like, CICF is here to help turn your love of humanity into lasting impact across Central Indiana. 

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 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.