Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council-Professional Development

The Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council’s mission is to promote philanthropy through planned giving. Our Board of Directors of informed and committed leaders, is focused on providing opportunities and tools that can contribute to your knowledge in the field.

SWFPGC also partners with area organizations to bring top-tier training programs and speakers to our area. We want to be a resource beyond the ordinary. With the many possibilities in the donation process, we are here to help as you work with your donors to accomplish their philanthropic intentions.

Click here to see Our 2011 Schedule of Seminars and Events
Click here for How to Talk to Donors About Planned Giving
Click here for the Planned Giving Glossary

Upcoming Events:

November 16, 2011, Virtual Seminar
Moving Up in a Down Economy: The Career Outlook for Philanthropic Planners

Tough economic times in the nonprofit sector are reshaping expectations about who 'does' charitable gift planning and how resources are allocated to gift planners' salaries and budgets. This session reviews findings from PPP's 2011 Gift Planner Profile survey to identify factors that positively impact salaries and job advancement. Search specialist Kris Hormann also shares an insider's view of what employers want and who they're hiring.

Meet Our Presenter: Kris Hormann, Lois L Lindauer Searches
Kris Hormann is search director with the Boston-based firm of Lois L Lindauer Searches. With nearly three decades of fundraising experience to her credit, Kris has held development leadership positions in higher education, healthcare, and social service institutions. Before joining LLLS, Kris served as associate director of development for the MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she developed a major gifts program and enhanced special events. She has also served as director of major gifts at Bentley College, vice president for external affairs at Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts, chief development officer of Horizons for Homeless Children, and director of development and communications for Partners Homecare and Hospice. Kris brings to her searches and clients a solid and complete understanding of all development areas including capital campaign design and implementation, major/planned gifts, annual/reunion giving, foundation relations, operations, volunteer management, and board relations. With many years of experience at the senior staff level, Kris' expertise also encompasses staff leadership and nonprofit strategic planning.

Annual Meeting of the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council,
October 1, 2010

The Annual Meeting of the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council was held on October 1, 2010 at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Guest speaker David Biemesderfer presented an insightful look at “Top Policy Issues Affecting Florida Giving & Nonprofits Today”. The presentation discussed key policy issues that could impact nonprofits and charitable giving in Florida, including federal tax policy issues like the estate tax, IRA charitable rollover and Roth IRA conversion. State issues, trends such as imposing state taxes and fees on nonprofits, and the state budget crisis and what it could mean for nonprofits and donors who fund them, was also considered. David Biemesderfer is the President & CEO of Florida Philanthropic Network, a statewide association of charitable foundations and corporate grant makers dedicated to strengthening philanthropy in Florida through education, research and public policy.

Jim Harmon and Tom Waters
After many years of service on the Board of Directors, W. James "Jim" Harman receives a gift of gratitude and celebrates with Tom Waters

Russ Constanitino, John Lineweave,r Jim Harmon
Russ Constantino and John Lineweaver congratulate
W. James “Jim” Harman

Cassandra Holmes and Aida Matic

The 5th Annual Professional Advisors’ Appreciation Luncheon
September 23, 2010
This event sponsored by Wells Fargo – The Private Bank and hosted by the Manatee Community Foundation, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, and the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council featured key note speaker William R. Johnston---past present of the New York Stock Exchange and MCF Fundholder. With over 80 professional advisors and SW Florida Planned Giving members in attendance Bill discussed “My Two Worst Days on the NYSE” – the crash of October 19, 1987 AND September 11, 2001.

Pictured Left to Right: Tony Baritrome-Blalock, Walters, Held & Johnson, PA; Don O’Leary-LWR Community Fund Advisory Board Member; Nick Drizos-Horizon Wealth Mgmt AND SW Florida Planned Giving Member; and Suzi Atherton-MCF Board Member AND Oppenheimer & Co.

September 14. 2010
"What Can One Development Officer Do To Encourage Planned Gifts?"
By R. Gardner Sherrill-CFP, Wells Fargo – The Private Bank and
Cassandra Holmes-Development Director, Manatee Community Foundation & SW Florida Planned Giving Council Member.

On Tuesday, September 14, 2010 SW Florida Planned Giving Council partnered with the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Southwest Florida Chapter to present “What Can One Development Officer Do To Encourage Planned Gifts?” during AFP’s monthly meeting and program. Presenters were R. Gardner Sherrill-CFP, Wells Fargo-The Private Bank and Cassandra Holmes-Development Director, Manatee Community Foundation. Several topics were discussed and well received. They were:

Finding the best planned gift prospects in your exiting donor pool.
How to approach the subject of planned gifts with finesse.
How to refer donors to subject matter experts and advisers without endorsing anyone.
How to educate donors on planned giving options without actually giving investment advice.

Sandy Groseclose-Development Coordinator, Pace Center for Girls-Bradenton, stated, "It was one of the best presentations this year-Excellent!"

Left to Right: R. Gardner Sherrill-CFP, Wells Fargo – The Private Bank; Cassandra Holmes-Development Director, Manatee Community Foundation; and Julia Steele-Chief Development Officer South County Family YMCA-Sarasota and AFP President.