Your planned giving partner: Five ways the CICF Collaborative can help

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

As Central Indiana’s home for charitable giving, the CICF Collaborative works with hundreds of families, individuals, businesses, civic leaders, and nonprofit organizations to help grow philanthropy, connect donors to causes, lead on critical issues, and support those in need. From making sure basic needs are met with housing, meals, and childcare to enhancing the quality of life with parks, museums, and cultural attractions, the heart of  Central Indiana are the nonprofits meeting the needs of thousands of people every day.  

As a nonprofit professional, you and your colleagues may already be familiar with grant programs from CICF Collaborative entities. We’re grateful for the generosity of so many community partners who have made these funds available. You may also be familiar with CICF’s services for managing nonprofit endowment funds. Thank you for trusting us to be a partner in your organization’s long-term sustainability. We are honored to have you as a fundholder!  

What you might not be familiar with, however, are the ways our team can help bolster your efforts to secure your donors’ legacy gifts and other planned gifts.  

Here are five ways we can help.  

Regular updates on charitable giving trends 

We are committed to sharing tips, insights, and trends related to tax laws, complex charitable giving, and donor motivations. We know it’s hard to keep a finger on the pulse of the many developments swirling around charitable giving. Our team keeps a close eye on what’s happening, curates the highlights, and passes it along so that you stay in the know.  

This message you’re reading is one example of how we work to provide that information; and you can always join us for Office Hours to dig into conversations with your nonprofit peers on these topics! 

Messaging for your marketing assets 

For nonprofits that have established an endowment fund(s) with us, our team is happy to provide sample language describing how donors can make a gift. Offering resources ranging from sample bequest language to reminders about gifts of appreciated stock, we can help equip you with the fundamental tools you need to position your fund for growth.  

Hosting a donor reception and want to highlight your endowment and pathways for giving? We can also have a team member assist in your presentation development or answer donor questions.  

Assistance with complex gifts 

Real estate. Closely-held business interests. Charitable remainder trusts. These types of gifts can feel intimidating. Our team works on complex charitable gifts on a regular basis. We can help evaluate opportunities in collaboration with a donor’s legal and tax advisors. In many cases, we can serve as a vehicle for receiving and administering gifts of hard-to-value assets so that the proceeds ultimately support your mission.    

Education for your board of directors 

Planned giving becomes much more manageable when everyone shares a basic understanding of the terminology and opportunities. We understand that your board of directors may not work in the area of charitable giving every day, and many concepts may be unfamiliar. We are happy to make a presentation during your regular board meeting to reinforce the importance of planned giving to your overall fundraising strategy, as well as clarify how our organization works with individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to create a culture of giving in Central Indiana.   

Alternative gift structures 

From time to time, you may connect with a donor who is passionate about your mission and is looking for a meaningful way to make a lasting impact beyond a one-time gift. These conversations are often rooted in a desire to support your work well into the future. In those moments, we can partner with you and your donor to establish a donor-designated fund that provides consistent, annual support for your organization over time.  

This type of giving vehicle allows a donor to set aside assets, invest them for long-term growth, and create a reliable stream of support for years to come.  

We welcome your questions and the opportunity to partner with you. 

Thank you for the difference you make every day. The future of our community is stronger because of your leadership and we’re excited about what we can build together. 

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 »