INDIANAPOLIS — Tasia Bade, a 40-year-old donor to the IU Health Foundation, has chosen to publicly share her latest philanthropic commitment in hopes of inspiring her children, peers and especially other women to think intentionally about their charitable legacy.
Bade has made a $1 million gift through her will to support IU Health’s workforce development efforts, a decision she said reflects a deliberate commitment to helping others. While many estate gifts remain anonymous until after a donor’s death, Bade opted for transparency, noting that nationally only about one in three planned gifts are known to charitable organizations in advance.
Bade believes that openness creates opportunity. By making her gift public, she hopes to encourage conversations around philanthropy and allow donors to see the impact of their future gifts while they are still alive. Her contribution also received a 1:1 campaign match from IU Health, meaning matching funds are immediately available to support current initiatives, allowing Bade and her family to witness the results of the investment today.
A key motivation behind Bade’s decision was her desire to model thoughtful giving for her two children. She said involving them in philanthropic discussions now will help them understand what she values and why giving matters. Bade plans to include her children in meetings related to the gift as they grow older, helping them learn how intentional generosity can create lasting change.
Bade also hopes her example will resonate with other women considering estate planning and charitable giving. As someone who frequently counsels women on financial decision-making, she views philanthropy as an essential part of long-term planning and empowerment. By sharing her story, she aims to demonstrate how estate gifts can be structured strategically to maximize impact.
Her gift supports IU Health’s vision of making Indiana healthier through the Foundation’s All the Difference campaign, which emphasizes community-based health initiatives beyond traditional hospital settings. Bade cited programs such as the Congregational Care Network, Mosaic Center and Crispus Attucks High School as examples of efforts that align with her values.
Ultimately, Bade chose to invest in the growth and development of current and future healthcare workers, recognizing their role in improving the health of Indiana residents. She said working closely with IU Health Foundation staff helped her make a thoughtful and informed decision about where her gift could make the greatest difference.
