This past year, Heart of Indiana United Way marked an incredible milestone: 100 years of serving our community. Anniversaries naturally invite reflection—on where we’ve been, the challenges we’ve faced together, and the progress we’ve made. But they also prompt an equally important question: What comes next?
At United Way, we spend a lot of time thinking about the future of our community—what families and children will need not just today, but years from now. And one thing we know for certain is that lasting impact doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people care deeply about this place and choose to invest in its future.
When we talk with supporters, the conversation often begins with a simple question: Are you thinking more about the impact you want to make now—or the legacy you want to leave behind? There’s no right or wrong answer. Both matter. Both are needed.
February is a great time to highlight one of the quiet but powerful ways people support causes they care about. Planned giving simply means including an organization like Heart of Indiana United Way in your estate plans—often through a will or beneficiary designation. It’s a common misconception that planned giving is only for the wealthy. In reality, many planned gifts don’t affect a person’s day-to-day finances at all. Instead, they reflect values—ensuring that what mattered during your lifetime continues to matter for generations to come.
Planned gifts help strengthen Heart of Indiana United Way’s endowment, providing long-term stability so we can continue responding to community needs far into the future. They are thoughtful, intentional decisions, and never urgent ones. For many long-time supporters, planned giving feels like a natural extension of years of caring for their neighbors.
At the same time, we know many people are eager to make an impact they can see and feel right now. That’s why, during our 100th anniversary year, we launched the Next Century Fund. This unique fund is designed to do both—address emerging needs today while also preparing for tomorrow.
Gifts to the Next Century Fund are split evenly. Half supports innovative solutions and pressing needs in real time, allowing United Way to respond quickly and thoughtfully as challenges arise. The other half strengthens our endowment, ensuring long-term financial health and readiness for whatever the future brings. It’s about being proactive, not reactive—and making sure we’re prepared before the next challenge becomes a crisis.
Some supporters choose one path. Others choose both—making a gift now and planning for the future. What matters most is that people feel connected to the future of this community in a way that fits their lives and their goals.
As we step into our next century, I’m continually inspired by the generosity and foresight of this community. Together, we can ensure that Heart of Indiana United Way remains a steady, trusted partner—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.