Stronger Partners, Brighter Futures: A Planned Giving Cohort

Stronger Partners, Brighter Futures is the CICF Collaborative’s approach to elevating the conversation and activity of planned giving.

Apply to join the 2026-2027 program by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026.

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About the Program

The entities within the CICF Collaborative (which includes CICF, Hamilton County Community Foundation, the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana) partner with Cape Fletcher Associates to offer charitable organization fundholders the opportunity to focus on their planned giving program through Stronger Partners, Brighter Futures: A Planned Giving Cohort.

Stronger Partners, Brighter Futures is the CICF Collaborative’s approach to elevating the conversation and activity of planned giving. With the capacity to significantly and positively affect the long-term sustainability of nonprofit organizations, planned giving is all too often overlooked at many organizations.

Organizations with charitable org funds at an entity within the CICF Collaborative (CICF, Hamilton County Community Foundation, the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana) are invited to apply for participation in the annual cohort. Selected organizations commit to meeting monthly over a period of nine months. This group of up to six nonprofits will benefit from philanthropic counsel, assistance in launching (or reinvigorating) their planned giving campaign, plus staff and board training.

New in 2026: A limited number of seats this year will be open to nonprofits who do not hold funds at an entity in the CICF Collaborative.

Learn More

Read the stories below to learn more about the success of past cohorts.

June 30, 2025
How a Local Cohort Helped Raise $19M in Planned Gifts for Central Indiana Nonprofits
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, a couple of friends who work in philanthropy were having a socially distanced conversation about how nonprofit organizations with meaningful endowments were weathering the pandemic much better than ones that didn’t have those financial resources.
July 15, 2024
2024 Cohort of Stronger Partners Brighter Futures Announced; Last Year’s Program Results Unveiled
Eight partners and affiliates were invited in June 2023 to go through the SPBF training, developing strategies and materials that allow planned giving to become a core part of their development practices. Near the start of the program, participants set goals for how many solicitations and commitments they hoped to reach by February. All together, they reached 97% of their solicitation goals and 70% of their commitment goals.  

Praise from Past Cohort Members

“Planned giving gives Habitat the opportunity to think long-term and strategically, allowing us to invest in the kind of projects that grow homeownership for the families who need it most.” – Jim Morris, President & CEO, Greater Indy Habitat

“This was incredibly worthwhile and fruitful. The Nine-month cohort gave us the tools, knowledge, and best practices we needed to confidently launch and grow ‘Over the Rainbow,’ our new and proactive planned giving program.” – IYG (Formerly Indiana Youth Group

“Thank you so much for your guidance and support throughout the Stronger Partners, Brighter Futures cohort. It was an invaluable learning and growing experience for all of us at Kids Dance Outreach.” – Kids Dance Outreach

“Participating in the CICF Planned Giving Cohort has been a transformative experience for the IMC, equipping us with the tools and confidence to build a lasting legacy for our mission.” – Stephen McCoy, Executive Director, Indianapolis Men’s Chorus

“Thank you to CICF for providing our team the opportunity to participate in the Planned Giving Cohort—an experience that has already strengthened our donor relationships and inspired lasting impact through thoughtful giving.” – Gregg Hiland President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis

“Planned giving is so impactful because it turns donors’ values into lasting change and provides nonprofits with long-term support to grow, adapt, and serve future generations.” – Girls Scouts of Central Indiana