If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you’re giving to the “right” organizations, you are not alone. This is where IECF can help.

One of the most valuable roles IECF plays is serving as a trusted, knowledgeable partner in your philanthropy. Our team works closely with nonprofit organizations across the region and maintains a deep understanding of the issues shaping our community. This allows us to provide more than just options—we can offer context. For example, if you’re interested in supporting a particular cause, we can share insight into how that issue is affecting our community right now, which organizations are actively addressing it, and where additional support could make a meaningful difference.

In addition to offering perspective, IECF can also assist with due diligence. While many organizations are doing excellent work, it’s natural to want reassurance that your gifts are being used effectively and in alignment with your intentions. Our team can help review organizations’ missions, programs, and governance practices, and provide guidance based on our experience working with nonprofits of all sizes and focus areas. This can be especially helpful if you are considering supporting an organization that is new to you or responding to a timely or urgent need.

For many donors, this combination of insight and due diligence leads to greater confidence—not just in individual gifts, but in their overall approach to philanthropy.

Just as importantly, working with IECF can help you step back and think more strategically about your giving. Rather than approaching each donation as a separate decision, you may find it helpful to consider how your gifts fit together over time. Are there certain causes you’d like to prioritize? Would you like to balance immediate needs with long-term impact? Are there opportunities to involve your family in the process?

These are the types of conversations IECF is here to support. Whether you prefer to remain hands-on in selecting organizations or would like help narrowing your focus, our team can tailor our approach to fit your preferences and goals.

The result is not a rigid plan, but a more confident and informed path forward.

Philanthropy is personal, and there is no single “right” way to give. But having a trusted partner can make the process feel more manageable—and more meaningful. IECF is honored to work alongside you, helping ensure that your generosity is guided by both your values and a clear understanding of how to make the greatest impact.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Charitable giving, due diligence, and how IECF can help appeared first on IECF.

After the deadline has passed, it’s tempting to move on and not revisit these decisions until later in the year. But the weeks immediately following filing your tax return are actually one of the best times to take a step back and reflect—while the details are still fresh. This is especially important in 2026 because so many tax laws have changed.

If you experienced any surprises this tax season, that’s especially worth discussing. Often, small adjustments made early in the year—rather than in December—can lead to better outcomes both financially and philanthropically. 

Here are common regrets and how IECF can help for the 2026 tax year and beyond. 

Giving cash instead of appreciated assets

Many donors regret using cash or credit cards to make large donations instead of gifting appreciated assets (such as stocks, mutual funds, or real estate) held for more than one year. 

The regret: Selling assets to donate the cash results in paying capital gains tax on the profit.

The better move: By donating the asset directly to your fund at IECF or to another qualified charity, you may be able to avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and deduct the full fair market value if you itemize. 

Missing out on “bunching” to surpass the standard deduction

The standard deduction was increased under 2017 changes to the tax laws and has stayed high ever since. This can cause missed opportunities for charitable deductions.

The regret: Spreading donations evenly across the years and not exceeding the standard deduction threshold.

The better move: “Bunching” multiple years of donations into a single tax year by using a donor-advised fund at IECF to exceed the standard deduction and claim a tax deduction for that year. 

Pro tip: Planning around tax rules is especially important for 2026 and future tax years because not only is the standard deduction still high, but also charitable deductions are now subject to a 0.5% “floor” and a 35% cap. Be sure to talk with your tax advisors early in the year to structure a plan that will work best for you.

Lack of proper documentation 

Sadly, many donors fail to keep adequate records, leading to potential deductions being disallowed by the IRS. 

The mistake: Failing to get written acknowledgment from the charity for donations over $250, or not having a bank record for smaller cash gifts.

The problem: Without documentation, even genuine donations can be disallowed upon audit. 

Honorable mentions

Beyond the “big three,” donors also report regrets such as:

–Overlooking IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). Taxpayers 70½ or older forget they can directly donate to charity from their IRAs, which can help satisfy RMD obligations without increasing their taxable income. (Note that changes may be coming that could allow you to use QCDs to fund your donor-advised fund at IECF. Currently, QCDs can fund other types of funds at IECF, but not donor-advised funds.)  

–Donating to non-qualified entities. Giving to organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits, meaning that these donations are not tax-deductible. Working with the experienced team at IECF can help you avoid this pitfall. 

–Overvaluing non-cash donations. Inflating the value of donated goods (such as clothing or used cars) rather than using their fair market value (thrift store value). This could come back to bite you in an audit!

Hoping to avoid tax season remorse next year? Please reach out to the team at IECF. We want to be your first call on all matters of charitable giving. Whether you established a fund at IECF years ago, recently became a fund holder, or are considering doing so this year, we are here for you! 

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Tax season debrief: Three common regrets appeared first on IECF.

That dynamic is especially relevant as many are watching the markets closely this spring. Even the possibility of a downturn can influence financial decisions, including charitable giving. It is natural to feel more cautious. At the same time, history shows that community needs often increase during challenging economic periods—making it all the more important to stay engaged in philanthropy.

As you think about your charitable giving this year, this may be a good moment to step back and consider not only where you give, but also how you structure your giving for long-term impact. In particular, it is important for donors and fund holders to consider expanding their portfolio of giving to include giving to IECF itself.

This can take several forms, each of which plays a meaningful role.

Operating support

Some donors choose to support IECF’s operations across generations. This type of support helps ensure that the foundation can continue serving as a trusted resource—connecting donors to causes, responding to emerging needs, and stewarding charitable funds with care and expertise well into the future. It is an investment not only in today’s giving, but also in the long-term strength of the philanthropic infrastructure in our community.

Support for grant programs

Other donors focus on increasing IECF’s grantmaking resources so that more money can flow from IECF to nonprofits that are helping those in need, especially when times are tough. Contributions to unrestricted or broadly focused funds allow IECF to respond quickly and thoughtfully to the most pressing challenges facing our region. During periods of economic strain, this flexibility can be especially powerful, enabling support to reach the people and organizations that need it most, at the moment it matters most.

A hybrid approach

In many cases, donors adopt a dual strategy—continuing to support favorite organizations directly or through IECF’s grant programs while also allocating a portion of their giving to IECF itself. This approach can help balance personal philanthropic interests with broader community impact, creating a more resilient and adaptable giving strategy.

IECF’s unique role is what makes any or all of these approaches so effective. As a perpetual institution governed by a local board of directors, IECF is designed to serve the community not just today, but across generations. Our team maintains deep knowledge of local needs, works closely with nonprofit partners, and is positioned to deploy resources where they can do the greatest good over time.

Especially in moments when the future feels uncertain, expanding your portfolio of giving in this way can provide an added layer of confidence. You can continue supporting the causes you care about while also strengthening IECF’s ability to lead, respond, and make a difference—now and in the years ahead.

We are honored to work alongside you as you consider how your philanthropy can support both immediate needs and lasting impact for our entire community.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Deepening your impact in times of need appeared first on IECF.

You may already be familiar with the general benefits of a donor-advised fund. A donor-advised fund can reduce administrative responsibilities, eliminate many of the complex tax compliance requirements, and allow families to focus more fully on their charitable goals rather than ongoing operations. The technical mechanics of making the transition are also relatively straightforward, such as:

–Confirm that the private foundation’s board has approved the termination and documented the decision appropriately.

–Establish a donor-advised fund at IECF, often structured to mirror the private foundation’s name and governance approach.

–Grant the bulk of the private foundation’s remaining assets to the new fund, leaving a reserve to cover final expenses.

–Satisfy outstanding liabilities and complete the private foundation’s final tax filings and state-level dissolution requirements.

While these steps are important, the transition is ultimately about more than mechanics. It is an opportunity to reposition the family’s philanthropy for the future—reducing administrative friction while preserving, and in many cases enhancing, the impact of the family’s giving.

One aspect of the transition deserves particular attention because it is easy to overlook: communication with grantees. For many private foundations, relationships with nonprofit organizations have developed over years—sometimes decades. In some cases, grantees may rely on annual or recurring support. 

When a private foundation winds down, a lack of clear communication can create confusion or uncertainty for the organizations that have come to depend on that funding. As a trusted advisor, you can play an important role in helping your client plan for this transition thoughtfully. What’s more, IECF can serve as a sounding board. Our team has close relationships with hundreds of nonprofit organizations in our community. Here are five tips for a client’s communication plan that you can help develop with the support of the IECF team:

–Encourage your client to communicate early and clearly with key grantees. Your client does not want nonprofits to hear about the transition from anyone else. 

–The communication itself does not need to be complicated. A straightforward email message explaining that the private foundation is transitioning to a donor-advised fund—and that the family remains committed to charitable giving—can go a long way. 

–Importantly, if possible, the client should reach out personally to each nonprofit grantee to let them know that they will be receiving email communication. This is not just a nice touch; it is a powerful way to maintain and deepen trust. 

–If the client intends to continue supporting certain organizations, it is helpful to reassure those nonprofits that future grants may be recommended through IECF. 

–Messages can also affirm the mission of IECF and the broader resources and network it provides to both your clients and the nonprofits they’ve supported for many years. 

As always, IECF is here to help you and your clients navigate both the technical and relational aspects of this process. Whether your client is ready to move forward now or simply beginning to explore options, our team is honored to work alongside you to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition to support your clients’ charitable objectives.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Transferring a private foundation? Remind clients to communicate appeared first on IECF.

Consider this scenario.

When David and Laura arrive at your office for their annual planning meeting, the tone feels different from prior years. In their early 70s and recently retired, David and Laura have always approached financial decisions with a long-term mindset. But today, Laura opens the conversation with a note of concern.

“We’re not panicking,” she says, “but it’s hard to ignore what’s going on in the markets. It just feels unsettled.”

You nod. You’ve been hearing similar sentiments from many clients. Even when portfolios remain relatively strong, uncertainty alone can create stress. Studies have consistently shown that financial concerns weigh heavily on emotional well-being across generations, and market volatility tends to amplify those feelings.

As you walk through David and Laura’s portfolio and estate plan, the numbers tell a reassuring story. Their overall financial plan is still on track, and their estate plan still reflects their goals. But you recognize that this moment calls for more than reassurance. It is an opportunity to reframe how charitable giving fits into the broader picture.

“You’ve both been incredibly consistent in your support of local organizations,” you say. “Tell me how you’re feeling about giving this year.”

David pauses. “We still want to give,” he says. “We just don’t want to make a mistake if the market gets worse.”

That hesitation is familiar. Rather than pulling back entirely, many clients simply need a way to move forward with confidence.

You start with a simple reminder.

“Not all stocks are down.”

You point to a portion of their portfolio that has performed well over time. These appreciated positions present an opportunity. By contributing long-term appreciated stock to their donor-advised fund at IECF, David and Laura may be able to avoid capital gains tax while supporting the causes they care about. Even in a volatile market, this strategy remains one of the most efficient ways to give.

Laura leans in. “So even now, that still makes sense?”

“It often does,” you reply. “And it can give you flexibility. You can make the gift now, receive the tax benefits, and then take your time recommending grants.”

The conversation begins to shift. Instead of focusing solely on uncertainty, David and Laura are now thinking about options.

You also gently raise another point.

“Market cycles come and go, but community needs don’t pause.”

You explain that periods of economic strain often increase demand for nonprofit services, particularly for households already feeling the effects of inflation and rising costs. IECF is closely connected to these needs and can help ensure that their giving is as impactful as possible.

Finally, you mention a strategy they have not yet used.

“Because you’re both over 70 ½, we should also look at Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRAs.”

You walk them through how a QCD could satisfy required minimum distributions while avoiding income tax on those amounts. For clients in their stage of life, it is a straightforward and effective way to continue supporting charitable priorities regardless of market conditions. “You can direct your QCDs to certain types of funds at IECF,” you explain. “You can’t use them to add to your donor-advised fund (at least not yet), but you can support IECF’s strategic priorities to help the whole region thrive.” 

By the end of the meeting, David and Laura feel a renewed sense of clarity. They decide to move forward with a gift of appreciated stock to a donor-advised fund and explore a QCD over the summer to avoid the year-end rush. Just as importantly, they feel reassured that their charitable giving does not need to stop simply because the market feels uncertain.

Situations like this are increasingly common. Even the possibility of a downturn can shape client behavior, but it can also open the door to meaningful planning conversations and help keep charitable giving going strong across our community. As always, IECF is here to help you navigate these discussions—offering practical strategies, local insight, and support for your clients’ charitable goals in every type of market environment.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Case study: Charitable giving in a down market appeared first on IECF.

Recent research underscores just how pronounced this divide is becoming. Individuals with a net worth of $30 million or more—often referred to as ultra-high-net-worth donors—are playing an increasingly outsized role in philanthropy, accounting for a significant and growing share of total charitable giving. At the same time, policy changes are encouraging broader participation at the other end of the spectrum, bringing new donors into the fold even if their initial gifts are modest. The result is a philanthropic landscape that is simultaneously becoming more concentrated and more expansive.

For your ultra-high-net-worth clients, charitable giving is rarely about a single transaction. Instead, it is often deeply integrated into long-term planning around wealth transfer, business succession, and family legacy. These clients may be evaluating complex assets, timing considerations, and multigenerational involvement. Conversations tend to focus on strategy—how philanthropy aligns with identity, values, and long-term impact. IECF can help you navigate these discussions by offering flexible structures, local insight, and support for engaging the next generation in meaningful ways.

By contrast, clients earlier in their wealth-building years—including the children and grandchildren of ultra-high-net-worth clients—may be engaging with charitable giving in a more incremental and exploratory way. The availability of a charitable deduction for non-itemizers creates a new opportunity to introduce philanthropy as part of their financial lives sooner than in the past. For these clients, the focus is often on establishing habits, identifying causes, and understanding how giving fits alongside other priorities. Even relatively small gifts can serve as the foundation for lifelong philanthropic engagement. (Note that the new deduction for non-itemizers applies only to cash gifts and is not available for gifts to donor-advised funds.) 

These two groups are not just separated by wealth—they are operating under different incentives, different planning horizons, and different motivations. As a trusted advisor, recognizing these distinctions can help you tailor your conversations and add value in more meaningful ways. Some clients may benefit from sophisticated planning strategies, while others simply need a clear and accessible entry point.

Here is one final but important point: Regardless of whether a client itemizes or doesn’t itemize, pay close attention to clients who are age 70 ½ and over and who own IRAs. Qualified Charitable Distributions are a powerful and tax-advantaged tool for clients to transfer up to $111,000 per taxpayer (2026 limit) to support favorite causes. What’s more, proposed legislation may open the door for your clients to use QCDs to fund their donor-advised funds at IECF. Right now, clients can use QCDs to fund field-of-interest, unrestricted funds, and certain other types of funds at IECF, but not donor-advised funds.    

As always, IECF is here to support both ends of this spectrum. Whether your client is structuring a complex gift involving closely held assets or taking the first steps toward organized charitable giving, our team can help you identify the right approach. We are honored to be your partner in serving your charitable clients across every stage of their philanthropy journey.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Serving charitable clients: Dual strategies emerge appeared first on IECF.

Here’s a case study to illustrate a scenario similar to what you might experience in your own practice.

When Mark and Elaine come into your office to update their estate and financial plans, retirement is only part of the future picture they’d like to discuss. At 66 and 64, they are financially secure—but the larger question looming in the background is the future of the family business. After three decades of ownership, they are beginning to explore a sale within the next few years.

The first part of your conversation is very familiar: income projections, portfolio sustainability, and how the family business’s corporate structure could evolve to allow Mark and Elaine to step back from day-to-day operations. If you are their financial advisor or CPA, you might run the models, stress-test assumptions, and outline what taxes and retirement could look like if a liquidity event occurs. If you are their estate planning attorney, you might review the company’s legal structure and emergency transition plans. 

In any case, you know the numbers are strong. A sale would more than fund Mark and Elaine’s lifetime needs. But as your conversation deepens, a more complex issue surfaces: what does succession look like—not just operationally, but reputationally and relationally?

“Our two adult children are not active in the business,” says Mark. “A third-party sale is inevitable, and we are fine with that financially, but it’s a gut punch emotionally.” A concerned expression crosses Mark’s face as he considers his feelings about a sale to non-family members. “The company’s name carries a lot of weight in the community,” he says. “For years, the business has been closely associated with the family’s identity and local impact. So what happens to that identity if we sell?” Mark wonders aloud.

Elaine’s concern is more inward-facing. “I really want our children to stay aligned after a liquidity event. For so many years, company events and trips have been where we’ve all gathered. I hate to think of that ‘glue’ disappearing in an instant.” Elaine says she has seen other families fracture after a business sale. “They barely see each other anymore,” she remarks.

This is where you introduce a broader planning lens. You validate that a business sale is not only a financial event. It is deeply personal and public at the same time. “How the family positions itself before, during, and after that transition can shape both community legitimacy and internal unity for decades,” you say. “So you both are spot on with your concerns.”

You suggest that philanthropy—structured intentionally before a sale—can serve as a bridge. What you mean is that Mark and Elaine could explore the option to transfer shares in the business to a donor-advised fund at IECF well in advance of any potential transaction. Then, when the business is sold, a portion of the proceeds lands in the donor-advised fund.

The tax advantages of the transaction are meaningful. By donating a portion of closely held stock before a legally binding sale process begins, Mark and Elaine are eligible for an income tax deduction, subject to AGI limitations, based on the stock’s fair market value at the time of the gift. Later, when the business is sold, the proceeds on the shares held by the donor-advised fund are not subject to capital gains tax.

Still, you emphasize that tax efficiency is only one layer.

Creating a donor-advised fund before the sale allows the family, working together, to articulate a charitable mission while the business is still operating. It signals continuity: although ownership may change, the family’s commitment to the community does not.

You suggest to Mark and Elaine that the IECF team join the next meeting. Of course, you remain responsible for facilitating the transaction and coordinating with other advisors. But IECF’s philanthropic advisors can facilitate conversations that go beyond the corporate, legal, financial, and tax aspects, leading a dialogue focused on questions that will shape the family’s philanthropy plan, such as:

• What causes reflect the values that built the business?

• How should the family’s name be represented post-sale?

• What governance structure will guide the next generation’s involvement?

You also share with Mark and Elaine that IECF can host structured family meetings, provide community needs assessments, and introduce best practices for multigenerational philanthropy. Importantly, this gives the children a meaningful role before liquidity occurs. Instead of simply awaiting proceeds, they begin working together to recommend grants, evaluate impact, and represent the family publicly.

In effect, philanthropy becomes a training ground for shared decision-making—without the operational risk of running a company.

Mark and Elaine love this suggestion. “Let’s do it,” Elaine says. “This plan makes us feel like a future sale is less like an ending and more like a pivot.” 

Mark and Elaine’s situation is one of many examples of cases where a family business may eventually change hands. But through an intentional philanthropic structure—designed in coordination with IECF—the family’s influence, values, and unity continue. It is our pleasure to help you serve your charitable clients through all stages of their lives. 

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Case study: Business owners exit with a family legacy appeared first on IECF.

In two recent rulings, the underlying message is consistent: Courts and the IRS continue to apply the technical requirements governing charitable deductions with precision. Your clients’ good intentions are not enough. 

Strict substantiation: A familiar but critical reminder

Gibson v. Commissioner serves as yet another reminder that it is really important for your clients to substantiate their charitable deductions. Time and again, both the IRS and the Tax Court have disallowed a taxpayer’s deduction because rules were not followed. In Gibson, a married couple claimed nearly $194,000 in noncash charitable contributions related to donated personal property. The court did not dispute that tangible items were transferred to a charitable organization. Instead, the deduction failed because the taxpayers did not satisfy the detailed substantiation requirements—specifically, contemporaneous written acknowledgments and qualified appraisal standards.

No matter how strong a client’s desire to make a difference through charitable donations, technical compliance drives deductibility. Form 8283 thresholds, appraisal rules, and acknowledgment language are not administrative formalities; they are statutory requirements. The Gibson case provides a practical example to share with clients who may be inclined to “drop off” significant in-kind gifts without first consulting their advisory team. 

Here’s the key takeaway: Even though you as an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor may fully understand the importance of following the rules, you still need to remind your clients regularly. You don’t want a client to ask “Why didn’t you tell us?” when they learn the hard way that they should have kept better records. 

Exempt status is not forever

The lesson in Milk Saving Starving Children Foundation v. Commissioner is that if you say you’ve got milk, you’d better have milk! In Milk, the Tax Court upheld the IRS’s revocation of 501(c)(3) status for an organization that failed to operate exclusively for charitable purposes and conferred impermissible private benefits. The organization’s stated mission—to distribute milk—was in fact charitable. Over time, though, its operations drifted away from distributing milk to operating a coffee shop and hosting a golf tournament. 

Here’s why we’re sharing this case:

-The Tax Court’s written opinion in Milk provides a terrific overview of the legal principles behind one of the cornerstones of tax-exempt status: a charity’s ongoing activities must further its exempt purposes. As you bring new attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors into your practice, the Milk case is simply terrific for training purposes. 

-As it applies to your client work, remember the Milk case when a client expresses interest in supporting a lesser-known or newly formed organization. Please reach out to IECF in these instances because our team can provide insight on any charitable organization, whether well-established or new—and offer safeguards through field-of-interest funds and other vehicles.

Thank you for the opportunity to work together to serve your charitable clients! Our goal, as always, is to serve as a practical resource—helping you ensure that your clients’ charitable intentions are fulfilled with clarity, compliance, and confidence.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Documentation is no joke and coffee is not milk: Two vital tax rulings appeared first on IECF.

March is an especially good time to reflect on the evolving role of women in philanthropy because it’s Women’s History Month. Increasingly, women are leading charitable decisions in their families, especially as more women are serving as primary financial decision-makers, according to Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Women Give 2024: 20 Years of Gender & Giving Trends.

Two scenarios are driving this change:

–In many families, a leadership shift happens gradually. For example, a daughter becomes more engaged over the years in conversations about the family’s charitable giving. Or a spouse who once deferred philanthropic decisions begins to shape priorities more directly. 

–In other cases, the transition is sudden and deeply personal—often following the death of a spouse or parent—when a woman assumes sole responsibility for stewarding both financial assets and charitable intent.

Here are four examples of how your awareness of these trends can play out in your day-to-day practice:

Help your clients give through thick and thin.

According to the Women Give 2024 study, over the past two decades, single women experienced a smaller decline in charitable participation than single men, and their average giving amounts held steadier or increased in certain contexts (e.g., secular causes during COVID-19). Be aware of this trend as you represent single women; it may be a priority for them to continue giving even when times are tough. IECF can help you develop a charitable giving plan to enable women-led philanthropy to continue through life’s ups and downs.

Discuss national trends and local needs. 

According to the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, for the first time, between 2022 and 2023, giving to women’s and girls’ organizations surpassed 2% of overall charitable giving. This represents over $11 billion going to women’s and girls’ organizations each year. Note, however, that when adjusted for inflation, the amount actually declined between 2021 and 2023. This trend is worth mentioning to clients, especially with the help of the IECF team to share parallel local trends and opportunities to make an impact.

Ask about all forms of philanthropy.

According to the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households, 43% of affluent households volunteered in 2024, up from 37% in 2022—volunteers tend to give more and support causes more deeply, a pattern often stronger among women. Be sure to ask your female clients about causes they support both financially and through volunteerism. 

Tailor advice for single women.

Research shows that participation trends vary by household type, with single women maintaining more consistent giving patterns over long periods. Pay particular attention to building thoughtful charitable giving plans for single-woman households. IECF can help maximize both impact and financial planning goals as you serve these clients.

As is the case when you are working with any charitable client, our team is honored to be your partner. Whether your client is establishing a new structure, building a comprehensive strategy around an existing donor-advised or other type of fund, or navigating inherited philanthropic responsibilities, we are here to help ensure their giving reflects both enduring legacy and evolving purpose.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at IECF is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you help your clients build their charitable plans and pursue their philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

The post Women and philanthropy: Four insights to inform your practice appeared first on IECF.

We hear from many generous people who care deeply about their community and fully intend to “do more” with their philanthropy. But life is busy. The calendar fills up. Markets fluctuate. Family and business priorities shift. It can feel easier to wait for the perfect moment—when things feel calmer, clearer, or more certain.

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. And it is not a sign of indifference. More often, it reflects uncertainty. You may wonder:

–Am I giving to the right organizations?

–Am I committing too much too soon?

–What if my priorities change?
–What if I want to involve my children later?

When every decision feels permanent, it is natural to pause. IECF can help you shift gears from intention to action. Here are three principles that guide our work with donors in this situation.

Take it one step at a time

One of the most helpful mental shifts is to think of charitable planning as a multi-step process rather than a single, all-or-nothing decision. In many cases, a tax planning need takes precedence because of concrete deadlines and tax year considerations. Our team understands! That’s why we are happy to help you establish a donor-advised fund, for example, to meet an immediate tax planning need. With that time-sensitive box checked, we’ll move on to discussing how you’d like to deploy the fund’s resources, involve family members in the decision-making process, and adjust your giving as your interests evolve.

Keep it simple

Sometimes the hardest part of giving is not generosity—it is decision fatigue.

You might be asking yourself, “Where should I give?” Often, that’s not the best question to ask right out of the gate, especially if you are new to philanthropy. The team at IECF can help you work through key threshold questions including:

–As I look back on my charitable giving, what areas of focus seem to jump out? 

–What specific charities have I supported over the years? 

–Why have I supported those charities?
–Is there anything about my areas of focus that I’d like to change going forward?

As we explore these questions together, our team can provide research on local nonprofits, share insights about community needs, and facilitate family conversations about values and priorities. 

Adopt long-term thinking

Community change does not happen overnight. You may find that your charitable intentions include not only providing annual support to favorite charities, but also making a meaningful difference over many years or even many decades that extend well beyond your lifetime. 

The team at IECF can help you structure not only a donor-advised fund to help organize your annual giving, but also other types of funds and a legacy plan. Many families, for example, complement their donor-advised fund by also establishing a field-of-interest fund to support a particular cause with built-in flexibility as community needs change. Similarly, a designated fund can provide long-term support to specific organizations, and an unrestricted fund allows you to leverage IECF’s deep expertise and perpetual structure to address emerging community priorities for generations to come. You can name one or more of these funds as a beneficiary in your estate plan, whether through a gift in your will or trust or through a beneficiary designation on an IRA.

The bottom line is that IECF is here for you along your entire charitable giving journey. We’ll work together to build and implement your philanthropy plan brick by brick over the years to come, involving your tax advisors and family members at key junctures and always ensuring that your charitable intentions—even as they evolve over time—are fulfilled.

Please reach out to our Charitable Giving Team anytime. Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy – sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

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