Past Events

Latest Event

Annual Conference

Monday, June 20, 2022

8:00 AM — 4:00 PM

Gift Planning 2022: Leveraging Synergies Across Fundraising

Our annual conference will illuminate the crucial role planned gifts can play in increasing philanthropic commitments across all giving levels from the annual fund to major and principal gifts. You will learn about how to have success in planned giving (even if your organization doesn’t have extensive experience) through strategic partnerships between major and planned gifts, and with allied professionals. Gift planning experts from across the industry will share thoughts and strategies that will inspire you to accelerate the culture of philanthropy at your organization, regardless of staff size, budget or mission. Suitable for gift officers of all levels to learn something new and enjoy some great networking!

PLENARY SESSIONS

 

Make Friends

This year marks Tony’s 25^th year devoted to PG. Through those years, one existential lesson has emerged: Relationships are critical, essential, necessary, requisite, obligatory, required, and indispensable. Is that too subtle? Weaving in his stand-up comedy, Tony will inspire you to enjoy comfortable, easy, authentic relationships—throughout your life.

Tony Martignetti, Esq.
Planned Giving Accelerator,
Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio

Tony has been serving the needs of nonprofits since 1997. As principal of Martignetti Planned Giving Advisors, he rolls up his sleeves to support his clients’ compelling nonprofit work. He’s been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Bloomberg Wealth Manager, Dow Jones Newswires and other outlets you’ve heard of. He’s the host of Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio, the #1 podcast for nonprofits. He also hosts Planned Giving Accelerator, where he teaches small- and mid-size nonprofits how to launch their Planned Giving fundraising.

 

Together We Go Far: Understand and Harness the Power of Planned Giving to Increase Annual, Major and Principal Gifts

The work we do within Development is critically interrelated. Nevertheless, we often find ourselves working in silos.  Understanding and appreciating our synergies can help optimize collaboration with colleagues, increase comprehensive giving, and maximize donor capacity. This discussion will highlight our similarities and seek to demonstrate that in Development we are more alike than we are different.

Sierra J. Rosen, JD, M.S. Taxation
Executive Director, Planned Giving
Brown University

Sierra enjoys helping non-profits advance their mission to create a sustainable future through planned giving. With 15 years of professional and technical experience in Development, she brings a strong combination of skills and collaborative abilities in assessing and managing planned giving programs. During her career, she has worked on multiple capital campaigns and acquired a deep and nuanced understanding of best practices in all areas of Development including annual giving, planned giving, and principal gifts. Sierra’s breadth of experience has culminated in a proven track record in implementing best-in-class planned giving programs at diverse institutions and working with a wide variety of donors to close diverse planned and structured gifts. Her record and experience include working effectively in a complex institutional setting, developing and sustaining productive and effective relationships with donors, faculty, colleagues, and senior management. She has worked with trustees, alumni, parents, and friends—many of whom are thought leaders in their industry—to maximize their philanthropic impact. Sierra has held positions at Brown University, Harvard Business School, Northeastern University, Wellesley College, and State Street Global Advisors. Sierra holds a Master’s in Taxation from D’Amore McKim School of Business at Northeastern University, a JD from Northeastern University School of Law, and a BA from Gordon College.

 

Unbreakable

Gabe Hurley will share a motivating and inspirational story that has mesmerized audiences across the country. As the survivor of a crash that resulted in his permanent blindness, Gabe emerged from his recovery, inspired to help others rise above their own struggles. Gabe endured twelve surgeries at RWJBH, New Brunswick, whose advanced patient services rely on philanthropic gifts from the community. Incorporating his love of music and talent as a guitar player, Gabe tells his story and emphasizes how we need to understand the consequences of our choices, and how one small choice can change someone else’s life forever. You won’t want to miss this transformative presentation that will complete your conference experience with Gabe’s unforgettable story of gratitude, forgiveness and hope!

Gabriel Hurley
Motivational Speaker and Musician
Grand Rapids, MI

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

 

Blueprint for an Effective CGA Program: CGA Basics

Have you been tasked with growing your organizations Charitable Gift Annuity program? Could you use a CGA refresher? Then this session is for you! Beginning with ‘charitable gift annuities 101’, this presentation will answer the; who, what, when, where and why of CGAs. The goal is to be comfortable with the CGA conversation. Then, with a solid foundation established, we’ll look at program essentials and discuss best practices and how their practical application will equip you to grow your Charitable Gift Annuity program.

Laura Bozell
Senior VP
PNC Bank, National Association

Laura is a Planned Giving client product specialist in PNC Institutional Asset Management®. She serves as the relationship manager for local and national Planned Giving clients. Her responsibilities include serving as the primary point of contact for client service needs and coordinating the Planned Giving team that provides investment management, various administration services and education to nonprofits across the country. Before taking on her current role, Laura was a fiduciary manager. Prior to joining the firm in 2005, Laura served as a senior trust specialist at National City Bank. She has more than 30 years of industry experience. Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Miami University, Ohio.

 

All About the Planned Giving Ask

One of the largest challenges for planned giving/development officers is asking for a planned gift from donors because it often requires a different strategy than traditional solicitations. This presentation will focus on who, when, what, and how to ask for a planned gift. It will help you navigate into the position to make more asks and provide you with various tools to make more successful asks. Finally, it will offer strategies to move the gift from an ask to completion.

William Samers
Vice President of Planned Giving and Endowments
UJA-Federation of New York

William is the Vice President of Planned Giving and Endowments at UJA-Federation of New York, the largest local not-for-profit in the country, where he has led a 14-person gift planning department for the past 15 years. He previously worked for the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS). He is a past president of the Philanthropic Planning Group of Greater New York and Executive Committee member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (now CGP). Bill has presented at numerous planned giving and development conferences and non-profits. He has been quoted in many publications including the New York Times and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Bill graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and received his J.D. from Boston University Law School.

 

Deepen Your Organization’s Culture of Gift Planning to Sustainably Grow Your Fundraising Revenue

Increasing donor sophistication, the quickening wealth transfer in the U.S., and the pandemic have created a unique opportunity for all nonprofits to deepen their gift planning culture by shifting from cash-based fundraising to asset-based fundraising. Together, we will discuss the factors driving gift planning culture, including existing empirical research, the myriad challenges to instilling gift planning culture, and initial steps to overcome those challenges and strengthen gift planning culture, including engaging Board members, educating donors on the benefits of planned giving, aligning gift acceptance policies with giving trends, and advancing planned giving strategies to achieve sustainable immediate- and long-term revenue growth.

M. Angel Flores
Senior VP
CCS Fundraising, New York, NY

Angel is a highly motivated, results-oriented, and compassionate executive with nearly two decades of experience working with and within organizations in the health, education, cultural, and human services sectors. She has advised organizations and planned and managed campaigns ranging from $20 million to $2.8 billion. She has extensive expertise and experience managing strategic operations, planning and directing large-scale capital and comprehensive campaigns, incorporating planned giving strategies, refining major gift programs, and building and fostering positive gift planning-focused cultures of philanthropy.
Prior to joining CCS, Angel worked for the Alvin Ailey organization, first with The Ailey School and later with Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation. Angel currently resides in Peekskill with her family, and draws on her dance, yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic training to maintain her flexibility and strength in mind, body, and spirit.

 

Yes, You Do Have Time! The 72-Hour Planned Giving Program

When asked why he robbed banks, notorious gangster Willie Sutton is reported to have replied, “That’s where the money is.” The same answer applies to, “Why should my nonprofit have a planned giving program?” A 2017 Planned Giving Today report showed an ROI of $56.93: $1 for planned gifts, as opposed to $3.43 for events, $19.22 for annual gifts, and $33.33 for major gifts. Planned giving is where the money is that your nonprofit needs to advance, grow, fulfill its mission, and sustain itself. You don’t need a law degree, a big bank balance, or lots of time. You do need commitment and at least six hours a month for a year to get started. Bring your calendar and attend to learn more.

Judith A. Smith, MA, CFRE
President
GivingSMITH, Phoenix, AZ

In more than three decades of experience in fundraising, Judi Smith has been an executive director, a capital campaign director, a director of planned giving, and a fundraising consultant to nonprofits. Her work has garnered various awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and in 2005, she received the Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Ozarks Region.
As President of GivingSMITH, she works with nonprofits to help them advance to the next level of their fundraising development and build sustainability. She speaks on a variety of topics in the development arena but is happiest coaching endowment building and gift planning. Judi has served as President of the Planned Giving Round Table of Arizona and the St. Louis Planned Giving Council. For AFP, she has served on the boards of the Greater St. Louis Council, the Northern Arizona Council, and as a mentor for the Greater Phoenix Council.

 

Five Lessons in Caring for Your CFO

Major and planned giving officers need their CFOs on their side, especially for the sometimes-complex gifts involved in our work. Hear the five lessons that a planned giving officer and a CFO learned while collaborating on gifts of real estate, lawsuits, gift acceptance policies, and charitable trusts.

Michael B. McKitish recently retired after 14 years as the assistant head of finance and operations at the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J. Before that he served 16 years at Drew University as the vice president for finance and business affairs and earlier as the New Jersey state general services administrator, where he worked under both Democratic and Republican governors.

Kenneth D. Cole recently joined The Angeletti Group consulting agency as a specialist in planned giving after more than 16 years at Overlook Foundation in Summit, N.J. in planned giving and campaign management. Prior to that he served hospitals in New York City and Morristown, N.J. He started his planned giving career at Drew University.

 

Retirement Plan Gifts Check All of the Boxes!

Sierra J. Rosen
Executive Director, Planned Giving
Brown University
& Director, Office of Philanthropic Strategies and Planned Giving

Rebecca Zuck
Director, Planned Giving
Brown University

Rebecca has worked in the Advancement profession for over 10 years and currently serves as a Director in Brown University’s Office of Philanthropic Strategies and Planned Giving. In this role, she oversees Brown’s life income gift program which includes over $70 million in charitable remainder unitrusts, gift annuities, and pooled income funds. She is also an accomplished fundraiser and successfully helps alumni, parents, faculty, and friends achieve their charitable and financial goals through outright, deferred, and blended gifts. Rebecca excels in helping donors craft and execute a legacy plan that honors a donor’s experiences and values and maximizes their impact. Her long history in Brown’s development office is strengthened through connections that touch every corner of the University’s campus. Outside of Brown, Rebecca enjoys thrift shopping, embroidery, trying new recipes and keeping up with her precocious six-year-old daughter.

*Group pricing available; Email Bryan Nemeth.

Bridgewater Marriott

700 Commons Way
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

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