This month we announce the 2024 cohort for Stronger Partners Brighter Futures.
CICF, Indianapolis Foundation, and Hamilton County Community Foundation host the nine-month program, administered by Cape Fletcher Associates, for our charitable organization fundholders to aid in the development of planned giving.
“As a philanthropic collaborative, it is important that we equip our community partners with the best tools to help them succeed in their missions,” said CEO of CICF Jennifer Bartenbach. “Planned giving provides a route for both not-for-profits and donors to make larger and more sustainable contributions to their communities.”
Planned giving often enables donors to make larger gifts than they could from ordinary, present-day philanthropy. These gifts are made through estate plans, wills, trusts, life insurance, or other financial instruments.
“Individual giving to not-for-profits has long been one of the most sustainable forms of financial support,” said Michael Pettry, Principal with Cape Fletcher Associates. “Developing a strategy for planned giving is one way an organization can redouble their commitment to sustainability, while also providing donors another option to make a significant contribution—one they may not have considered.”
The six members of the 2024 cohort are:
- Girl Scouts of Central Indiana – This local chapter of the national organization empowers young girls through community service, outdoor activities, friendship, and mentorship.
- Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity – Since its founding in 1987, Greater Indy Habitat has worked to build and maintain affordable homes for hundreds of families.
- IYG – Formerly known as Indiana Youth Group, IYG offers a safe space, resources, and basic care for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
- Indianapolis Men’s Chorus – Now in its 34th season, the IMC entertains, educates, and promotes a more inclusive community through music.
- Kids Dance Outreach – KDO offers enriching and inspiring dance programs to Marion County elementary school students.
- YMCA of Greater Indianapolis – YMCA of Greater Indy fosters a healthier, more equitable, and connected community.
Results from 2023 edition
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.
That amounted to a projected total of $33.5 million secured through 60 commitments to members of the 2023 cohort.
During the nine months, participants developed their own, custom planned giving promotional materials, heard from legal experts, and formed bonds with others in the Central Indiana not-for-profit landscape to sustain their ongoing planned giving practices.
Guest speakers included estate attorney Gina M. Giacone with Ice Miller as well as CICF CEO Jennifer Bartenbach, Indianapolis Foundation President Dr. Lorenzo Esters, and Hamilton County Community Foundation President Tom Kilian.
Effectiveness of planned giving
Despite the enormous impact a planned gift (or “legacy” gift) can have, many organizations struggle to initiate a strategy for approaching donors about this option.
In part, that’s because most fundraising is necessarily focused on sustaining basic operations—keeping lights on, paying staff, running programs, etc. An emphasis on cash donations can address immediate funding concerns. That can make someone’s posthumous gift, however large, seem like a more distant priority.
And yet, for many individuals, assets will be at their most valuable towards the end of a lifetime. After meeting their family obligations, a charitable planned gift is a way that many donors can ensure a legacy of their values.
Often, these end-of-life considerations can be a difficult topic to approach for inexperienced members of a not-for-profit staff. Fortunately, participants of SPBF end the program with a variety of materials to aid in these discussions, as well as firsthand accounts from those who have committed to one or more planned gifts.
Given the potential impact that a greater emphasis on planned giving can make, CICF sees its investment in SPBF as an investment in more effective not-for-profit organizations, offering more services to more of our neighbors.
CICF and its affiliates congratulate the 2023 cohort on their success, and we warmly welcome the 2024 cohort as they embark on their own journey of expanding and enhancing the good they do in our Central Indiana community.
Leave A Comment