As I start this message, scheduled to go out in the new year, I am pondering the incredible generosity of MacKenzie Scott—what an amazing human being!
Across the country are stories about her $4.1 billion pandemic giving spree in December. Acknowledging the pandemic as the “wrecking ball in the lives of Americans already struggling,” and noting it has been worse for women, people of color and those living in poverty, the last four months of 2020 she has given a record amount to hundreds of nonprofit organizations. In total, 384 organizations in 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
This generous act is part of a giving pledge she made in 2019 to give away most of her wealth over her lifetime or in her will.
What does it take for someone to be so generous? Who helps her sort through all the opportunities to give?
Those of us in the charitable giving space know she has a team of advisers who help her with this incredible feat. She states she charged her team to use a data-driven approach to identify organizations with strong leadership and results, specifically in communities with high food insecurity, racial inequality, and poverty rates, “and low access to philanthropic capital.”
Recipients of the funds have been astounded. Never would they have dreamed of seeing such large sums come their way.
It takes many people to support transformational giving--advisors, nonprofit leaders and foundation officers all have critical roles. Yet it starts with one person--- in this case MacKenzie Scott—who has the compassion and commitment to help those in need.
This is all the inspiration I need to close the door on 2020 and open another to 2021 with optimism and hope.
Join us for our monthly program on Thursday, January 14 when Martin Leifeld talks about The Fundraiser’s Story. Registration Link
Finally, please let us know what is new with you. If you have a new job, recent promotion, or opening in your organization, we want to include it in this newsletter. Email [email protected]
Kristi Meyers Gallup
President
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Our Best Fundraising Partners
Kevin VandenBrink, CAP®
Legacy Giving Director - Langham Partnership
Like many who serve in the area of legacy giving, I spend a good deal of my time cultivating relationships with our long-term donors. This makes sense, because we know that those who give over many years (or even decades) will often trust us with a gift from their estate as an expression of their “ultimate” gift.
Since so many legacy gift commitments come from donors who are well known, I was surprised to learn earlier this year that we had been named as the beneficiary of a substantial estate gift from someone who was totally unknown to our ministry. There was no prior giving history, no record of having received our legacy giving brochures, and no indication that this man had ever spoken with anyone in our organization.
So, why did this generous man choose to make a legacy gift to Langham Partnership? In time, it became clear.
One of this man’s closest and most trusted friends had helped him think through his estate plans. And while we never spoke with this generous legacy donor, we had spent years and years in conversation with his trusted friend – one of our supporters for almost 20 years. While we were inviting this donor to our events, mailing him brochures, sending him emails, and visiting with him by phone and in person, it likely never occurred to us that he was not only one of our donors – but he was also one of our ambassadors. In fact, in a conversation since that time, this donor shared “I would love to be able to give more, but one way I can support the ministry is to tell others about it.” What an encouragement! And, an important reminder that our donors can also be our best fundraising partners.
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Upcoming Event - Monthly Meeting |
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Date: January 14, 2021, Time: 12:00-1:00 pm. ZOOM
Topic: The Fundraisers Story
Speaker: Martin Leifeld, Author Coach, Consultant and Speaker
About the talk: The Fundraisers story presentation will consider the notion that - who we are and how we view fundraising has everything to do with our impact and satisfaction. This presentation will consider seven foundational concepts that nonprofit fundraisers and related professionals should consider incorporating into their approach to work. Discussion to follow include exploration of additional concepts for the fundraising profession.
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Date: February 11, 2021, Time: 12:00-1:00 pm. ZOOM
Topic: TBD
Joint Meeting with Society of Financial Service Professionals-St. Louis
Speaker: Kathleen Bilderback, JD
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Date: March 11, 2021, Time: 12:00-1:00 pm. ZOOM
Topic: Thoughtful and Effective Writing for Planned Giving
Speaker: Patrick Schmitt
Patrick is the co-founder of FreeWill, a social venture which has helped organizations raise more than $2B in new planned gifts, stock gifts, and qualified charitable distributions. Patrick and his co-founder Jenny were recently named two of the Top 50 Philanthropists in the World by Town & Country.
Patrick received his BS from Georgetown University and MBA from Stanford University.
Expert Advice from Gifted Fundraisers. Martinleifeld.com provides nearly 125 video presentations about leadership and fundraising matters.
About the presentation: Many of our organizations are small with limited depth of marketing and communications.
A zoom link will be sent to you the day before the event.
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Date: May 13, 2021, Time: 12:00-1:00 pm. ZOOM
Monthly Program May 13
from 12:00-1:00 pm
Topic: A Team Approach to Philanthropy Donors + Advisors + Nonprofits = Full-Circle Success
Panel Discussion:
David Grand founded Grand Financial
Ann Holtshouser is a partner in the Brown Smith Wallace
Jeffrey L. Huntington, CFRE
Jeff Huntington joined the Saint Louis Zoo in 2000 as Manager of Foundation Gifts.
Moderator: Lori A. Sullivan, FCEP
Director, Planned Gifts Saint Louis Zoo
About the presentation:
This will be a moderated panel discussion with Elizabeth Green and her team of CPA, wealth advisor, estate planning attorney and development officer who work together to achieve her charitable objectives in a tax-wise, financially savvy, estate planning perspective manner. Their coordination with each other and Elizabeth makes everyone’s role easier and more effective with their spirit of working toward a common objective with a nonprofit to create the best outcome for their client/donor.
A zoom link will be sent to you the day before the event.
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Pictured Jeffrey Huntington and the donor Elizabeth Green
About the donor
Elizabeth Green is a native St. Louisan, who in the late 1990s learned the importance of sharing and giving from Charlie Hoessle, the then-director of the Saint Louis Zoo. Elizabeth shared that she had been giving to multiple charities in very small amounts. The Zoo was one of the few that got what she considered at that time a 'significant' amount every year. During a lunch meeting with Charlie, he explained to her about multi-year commitments and how they would be easier to keep track of and allow her to do more for any given charity. Reflecting back on that day, she said that it wasn't so much the words he used, but the fact he had listened to her concerns and helped her develop a giving plan in the first place. The concept of making a plan was the most important part of the conversation. As a result, she feels more comfortable giving larger amounts to more organizations. Elizabeth once used the phrase, "Charlie taught me the joy of giving." It was a lesson that has made her happier for the knowing.
Elizabeth says no one else in her family ever talked to her about their charitable efforts or served as a role model, so it is something that she had learned on her own and that she has developed over time. Today, Elizabeth understands the importance of philanthropic giving -- whether annual support, major gifts, or planned giving -- and the importance of endowment. She often tells charities she likes the special projects that speak to her. As her philanthropy has grown, Elizabeth has embraced the importance of including her professional advisors as well as the development professionals who serve the charities that she supports in gift discussions. In addition to the Zoo, Elizabeth is a benefactor to Maryville University, Metro Theater Company, and the Endangered Wolf Center.
Elizabeth had a 15-year career with Southwestern Bell. Today, she is retired and enjoys traveling and playing golf.
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President
Kristi Meyers-Gallup
President-Elect
Rose Brower
Vice President-Communications
Adam Eggemeyer, CFRE, MBA
Vice President-Education
Jan Rogers
Vice President-Finance
Barbara Carswell, LL.M.
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Directors
Tracy Brees, CSPG
Joan Cheaney, CFRE
Patti Christen, CFRE
Pam Dempski
Sharon Fenoglio, CFRE
Adam Ford, JD, CFP®
Dustin Gaj
Dianne Johnson, JD
Paula McBurnett
Dan Prosser, CFP®
Harry K. Ratliff, CAP, CIMA
Kalleen Capps Rose, MA
Michael Weisbrod
Lori Wishne
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330 Wenneker Drive
St. Louis, MO 63124
Phone: (314) 473-6300
Fax: (314) 787-4283
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