Planned giving is more important than ever for all nonprofits and in this episode, we focus on higher education with special Cheryl Mott Smith, Executive Director of Gift Planning at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Cheryl also shares her personal story, including what she learned about others -- and herself -- while working as a frontline fundraiser as she received treatment for cancer. Empathy is a very valuable trait for people working in the field of charitable estate planning, and we know Cheryl's story will inspire you. We hope you enjoy this wonderful episode!
This Thanksgiving, we're grateful for our special guest, Dr. Russell James of Texas Tech. We call him the "Rock Star" of planned giving and in this fun and friendly conversation, Dr. James shares quite a bit about his work, his life and his love of ultimate marathons. We also hear his answers to our FIVE FUN FACTS, like whether this esteemed researcher is a dog person or a guy who loves cats. We also discuss the top trends right now and Dr James gives us a preview of his next project, a series of books about the strategy of stories in philanthropy. Thank you, Dr. James for being our guest on Charitable Chit Chat!
In this special episode of Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire, we preview the 2020 CGP Conference. Our special guests are Meryl Cosentino of New York Univeristy who is this year's Conference Chair and Kent Weimer of Parkland Foundation in Dallas, the current Board Chair fo the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. They share their enthusiasm and insights into how the CGP pulled together this first ever virtual conference. This is a must-listen for anyone in the wonderful world of planned giving and if you haven't registered for the conference, there's still time!
Charitable Gift Annuities are a popular choice for nonprofit supporters who want income, stability and make a contribution to their favorite nonprofit. In this episode of Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire, Our friend Tia Graham of the PBS Foundation shares her insights and experience with Charitable Gift Annuities and the donors who love them. Chit Chat co-hostess Cathy Sheffield is also an expert on CGA's and together they answer the big questions about CGA's and what organizations need to know before embarking on a CGA program. Tia also gives us a preview of her CGP session!
There are a lot of myths about Planned Giving and they're preventing nonprofits from becoming successful. In this episode of Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire, we invite our friends and experts David Moses of the ADL and financial advisor Juan Ros to help us blast those myths. Some of the myths are "But you need to be an expert to help your donors make bequest and other planned gifts" and "Planned Giving with cannibalize major and other outright gifts." If your nonprofit staff is making excuses about why NOT to focus on planned giving, this is a great episode to share with them!
In this conversation, Girl Scouts of the USA volunteer Dianne Belk shares how she went from planned giving donor to spearheading an effort to ask other Girl Scouts to include the nonprofit in their estate plans. In less than ten years, more than 4,000 Girl Scouts made a planned gift and joined the Juliette Gordon Low Society. Dianne shared her insights into peer to peer outreach, the simplicity of "the ask" and elevating the planned giving donor with "exquisite stewardship." As Girl Scouts themselves, Cathy & Claire thoroughly enjoyed this conversation!
In this episode of Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire, we meet Jackie Franey, Director of Gift Planning, The Nature Conservancy. As a highly experienced philanthropy professional, Jackie discusses the wide variety of non-cash assets which can be used to make charitable gifts. Jackie explains how "strategic curiosity" helps fundraisers engage donors in order to make their best gift possible. Jackie started her career on Wall Street and she shares insights gleaned from her long career in finance and fundraising.
In this episode of Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire, we meet Alexandra Brovey, J.D. Senior Director, Gift Planning, Northwell Health Foundation in metropolitan NYC. Alex shares her insights on healthcare philanthropy, the current interest in charitable planned gifts like bequests and charitable gift annuities. An attorney, she also talks about her transition from working in a law firm to becoming a planned giving professional at her alma mater, Penn State. An accomplished author, Alex offers advice for aspiring authors.
The May 2020 featured interview is with Bill Strickland, Planned Giving Officer with the California Community Foundation. Philanthropy experts Cathy Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff lead a conversation ranging from Donor Advised Funds to CCF's Covid-19 response to working with professional advisors and Bill's early career as a professional singer and dancer. If you work in planned giving, you know everyone has an interesting background! This is just the featured interview with guest Bill Strickland. Thanks for listening. (39 minutes)
Ask Cathy about...
Gift acceptance policies!
Does your nonprofit have or need gift acceptance policies? Learn more when planned giving expert Cathy Sheffield answers the big question "What are gift acceptance policies and why are they important?" She gets an assist from another expert, Bill Strickland, Planned Giving Officer with the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles. (11 minutes)
If you work for a small nonprofit (or any nonprofit with a small budget!) you'll appreciate marketing specialist Claire Meyerhoff's ideas for planned giving outreach and communication. Get started with planned giving simply by putting some key information on your nonprofit's website. In this podcast, Claire talks you through it and if you need a little more help, send her an email and ask your questions. Claire@pgagency.com . Claire loves helping small nonprofits get started with planned giving!
Looking for a tip sheet, sample letter or other resource mentioned on the show? You can probably find it here!
Learn more about Cathy Reagan Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff and find contact information and other links.