The coronavirus pandemic is a test of how philanthropists can use their wealth to fill an enormous gap in revenue for nonprofit groups.

There is an immediate need to fund nonprofit organizations that support people in health or economic distress because of the outbreak. But these groups are asking for money from the same people who have seen their investments yo-yo up and down over the past few weeks.

Few of these nonprofit groups have reserve funds to sustain them through a long period of uncertainty. To spur giving, the stimulus bill that President Trump signed on Friday increases the deductibility of cash gifts to 100 percent of someone’s income.

In this difficult time, I asked more than a dozen philanthropists, who have billions of dollars at their disposal and included Microsoft founders, tech and financial services entrepreneurs, and one former New York mayor, what they were doing differently. Their responses could serve as a guide for similar philanthropists, as well as inspire smaller donors who want to know the quickest ways to ensure their dollars have the biggest impact.