Each new gift commitment begins a long-term process of stewardship to retain and cultivate our most loyal supporters. At this meeting, you’ll learn how central Indiana’s top organizations deploy staff and resources to stay in touch with planned gift donors and build relationships that often lead to enhanced giving. Fundraisers will take away ideas to enhance their own stewardship plans and address their challenges. Advisors will gain insight into the response their clients can expect when they notify a charity that they’ve made a planned gift. Watch the CGPI members online discussion forum for polls to help the panelists understand how our members are involved in stewardship activities.

Speakers: Brian D. Yeley, Abbe Ernstes, Beatrice Cork and Megan Madia

Brian D. Yeley is the Associate Vice President of Gift Planning Services at the Indiana University Foundation in Bloomington, Indiana, where he manages IUF’s staff of attorneys responsible for providing gift planning support to donors and fundraising professionals across Indiana University’s eight campuses. Brian serves on the Board of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and is a Past President of the Hoosier Hills Estate Planning Council. Prior to joining IUF in 2005, Brian was an attorney specializing in tax and estate planning as well as nonprofit administration. He is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

Abbe Ernstes is a 15 year fundraising professional. She has served in many roles including annual giving, major gifts and planned giving. She has spent time at Hanover College and DePauw University. She now serves as Director of Major and Planned Gifts for Cathedral High School. Abbe has also served on the board of directors for Girls Inc. of Jefferson County, the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce and the Madison Future: Young Professional Network. She has a psychology degree from Albion College and a Master’s in Public Relations from Ball State University.

Beatrice Cork is Director of Estate and Gift Planning for the American Cancer Society. Previously, she served as a gift planning officer for American Red Cross, and also worked in major and planned gift fundraising for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, Butler University and IUPUI. Beatrice serves on the board of Charitable Gift Planners of Indiana and is the Vice President of the endowment board of Storytelling Arts of Indiana. She is also a member of the Community Advisory Board for “Comparing Interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening in Low-Income and Minority Patients”, a PCORI contract of Indiana University. Beatrice has a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University and a Master’s in Rehabilitation with a concentration in gerontology from Western Michigan University

Megan Madia is the Manager of Donor Relations at Riley Children’s Foundation. She has been with Riley for over three years, after working in higher education at both Purdue University and Butler University. Megan serves as co-chair of the stewardship cohort for Woodmark, an organization dedicated to development in children’s hospitals. Megan has a degree in pre-physical therapy from Purdue University.

Let’s be heard! Join us in DC on October 12

There is no better way to advocate than holding a face-to face meeting with legislators and their staff. And that is why we are going to the Hill. As representatives of some of the most important and visible organizations in your districts you have the power to educate and influence how charitable giving is perceived by your representatives. These small group meetings make an impact when you educate members of Congress about the importance of charitable giving and how promoting a universal charitable deduction can positively impact their communities and constituents.

This will be a critical time to engage legislators about the charitable tax deduction and other issues affecting charitable giving. Whether you are attending the national conference or not, you can participate and we need as many individuals as possible to get a large number of districts represented. This event is open to all CGP members, council members and other interested persons you may wish to invite. There is no fee to participate.

How it works:

CGP is working to make this as convenient as possible for all participants. We know your time is valuable and we appreciate the commitment you are making to attend. CGP will arrange all meetings and set the team schedules for the day. Teams of 3-5 participants will be grouped by district(s) and provided all needed talking points and leave behind materials. Orientation takes place Wednesday afternoon and we will prepare and provide you with everything you need for your day of meetings on Thursday. Rooms are available at the conference hotel Hilton Baltimore and CGP will provide round trip bus transportation between the Hilton Baltimore hotel and Capitol Hill on Thursday. If you are not attending the conference, you may still want to stay in Baltimore to be with the group and likely save some hotel costs.

We hope you will participate and be a voice for your district and organization. See the schedule and register by clicking below.

Register