The Indianapolis Foundation, along with its philanthropic collaborative partner Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), is here to help you identify and advance your philanthropic goals. There are a variety of ways, with unique benefits to you and your family, to achieve the impact you want to make with your charitable contributions. We’re here to help you develop a custom solution and use the best assets to make your charitable giving meaningful today and to build a lasting and thriving legacy.
Our Approach
Our value proposition is to work personally with you, your family, and/or your professional advisors to develop a thoughtful, intentional, and comprehensive plan to organize and maximize your charitable goals – now and after your lifetime. No other philanthropic partner in the community provides this level of service or community expertise. Here are the tools, resources, and commitments we offer:
Ways to Give
- Goal Development. We help you define your charitable goals through personalized research on the causes that matter most to you. Then, we connect you with organizations that align with your values.
- Family Engagement. We facilitate and document family philanthropy discussions, ensuring your charitable legacy is carried forward for generations.
- Administration & Governance. Our experienced team manages the administrative details, so you can focus on making a meaningful impact.
- Strategic Planning. We work with you to develop a thoughtful giving strategy that reflects your vision, maximizes your impact, and minimizes unnecessary costs.
- Community Knowledge. With deep expertise in local challenges, opportunities, and the nonprofit landscape, we provide insights and connections that enhance your philanthropy.
Ways to Give
When you’re deciding how best to achieve your charitable goals within the financial situation, there are many ways to give—whether you want to contribute now or plan for a future gift. Our team is here to help – and partner with your professional advisors – and ensure your generosity is maximized for both community benefit and your financial goals.
- Cash or Credit – You can give today via check or credit card for immediate tax benefits.
- Stocks, Bonds, & Mutual Funds – Donate marketable securities to avoid capital gains taxes and claim deductions.
- Real Estate, Art Work, and Tangible Property – Turn appreciated property into a charitable asset while reducing tax liabilities.
- Closely Held Business Interests – Maximize tax advantages, typically before a sale or planned event, to create your specific charitable vehicle or support a community need.
- IRA Charitable Rollover (QCD) – Individuals 70½+ can make direct IRA gifts to satisfy required minimum distributions.
- Online Donations – Make a secure gift online to support the Indianapolis Foundation for a specific fund.
- Bequests by Will or Trust – Establish a lasting legacy by giving to or creating your charitable fund at the Foundation in your estate plans.
- Beneficiary Designations – Name your fund or any other fund at the Foundation as a beneficiary of your IRA, life insurance, or retirement plan.
- Charitable Gift Annuities – Receive fixed lifetime income while supporting your charitable goals.
- Charitable Trusts – Customize a “split interest” giving vehicle that provides income benefits to you or loved ones and have a charitable component to support your fund or any other fund at the Foundation. Customize a giving plan that provides financial benefits now and community impact later.
For more details or to explore your giving options, our team is here to help. Contact us today to start your giving journey.
Rob MacPherson
Vice President of Development & Strategy
robm@indianapolisfoundation.org
Grace Findley
Chief Development and Partnerships Officer
gracef@indianapolisfoundation.org
Giving Today
Whether it is giving directly to not-for-profit organizations that mean the most to you, organizing your philanthropy into a individual or family donor-advised fund, setting up a fund for a specific purpose or for future use, or giving to special project or issue that the Indianapolis Foundation is helping to lead – we can help you find the best way to achieve your charitable goals right now.
Legacy Giving
Legacy gifts are the foundation of philanthropy in Central Indiana, shaping the community for generations to come. Local families like Lilly, Glick, Fairbanks, Efroymson, and Clowes have built lasting charitable legacies, but they are just a few among thousands of individuals who have left resources to support the causes they cherish.
And, you don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to make meaningful impact after your lifetime.
At the Indianapolis Foundation, we partner with people from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a lasting impact. Whether through wills, retirement plans, or other estate and strategic giving vehicles, these legacy gifts ensure that your generosity continues to strengthen our community and the issues and organizations you care about for years to come.
Some planned gifts can even provide income for you or a loved one during your lifetime. Heirs and other family members can engage in your future giving in whatever way you’d like to include them.
Anyone can leave a legacy gift—regardless of the size of their estate. It’s not about wealth; it’s about the desire to make a difference. Your commitment today can help build a stronger, more equitable tomorrow for our community.
We’ll gladly work with you and your professional advisors to make a plan. Contact us to learn more about legacy giving:
Rob MacPherson
Vice President of Development & Strategy
robm@indianapolisfoundation.org
Grace Findley
Chief Development and Partnerships Officer
gracef@indianapolisfoundation.org