Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council News

CGP Conference Scholarship Opportunity

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:25:39 GMT

Earn complimentary registration to attend your first CGP Conference with the CGP Conference Scholarship. Each scholarship includes registration for the CGP Conference in Indianapolis, and a one-year membership to CGP.

Deadline to apply is June 29, 2025.

CGP Dues Rates and Changes

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:33:34 GMT

Please see this email from the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. Note that it only affects those who are a part of the national organization and does not impact your local dues at the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council.

At CGP, we are committed to the future of charitable gift planning and work tirelessly to support the professional success of our members. Our focus is on three strategic priorities: Building Awareness and Increasing Influence, Defining and Developing Competence, and Creating a Supportive Environment. CGP has dedicated significant resources to enhance the value of your membership.

Over the past year, CGP has expanded its advocacy activities, conducted two major surveys, introduced new educational programming, grown the CGP conference, and launched a new website platform for our partner councils. Looking ahead, we plan to enhance member engagement, offer partner program discounts, improve technology for accessing educational resources, and continue developing programming based on the National Standards for Gift Planning Success.

We are excited about the future of charitable gift planning. This is a crucial time to invest in your programs and professional skills to ensure that your organizations can effectively participate in the ongoing wealth transfer. As your partner, CGP supports you in advocating for your program, offers high-quality education, and has established a professional network of individuals and businesses to help you advance your career.

To help support these initiatives, effective January 1, 2025, individual annual
membership dues will increase to $225. However, you can renew your membership at the current rate of $195 until the end of the year, regardless of when your membership expires.

If you have questions or need assistance with your membership renewal, please contact Jessica or Carey.

Thank you for being a valued member of the CGP community.

Michael Kenyon
President and CEO

Nicole Engdahl

Chair, Board of Directors

QCD Updates for 2025

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 18:54:11 GMT

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) just got a boost with the latest cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for 2025.

A QCD allows you to roll funds directly from your IRA to a qualified charity, satisfying your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) without impacting your taxable income—even without itemizing. Here’s what’s new:

QCD Limit Increased: The maximum annual amount you can donate through a QCD has risen to $108,000 in 2025 (up from $105,000 in 2024).

Split-Interest Options Under SECURE 2.0: Now, you can make a one-time QCD election to a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust, with an inflation-adjusted limit of $54,000 in 2025 (up from $53,000 in 2024).

These adjustments offer more flexibility and tax-efficient giving options for donors. Make sure that your donors are kept informed!

PPGC Member Survey

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:45:25 GMT

Have you taken our survey?

We invite you to complete this brief survey to help the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council (PPGC) better tailor its programming to support your professional needs. As a thank you, responses received by October 11, 2025 will be entered into a drawing for a free one-year membership to PPGC, (a $125 value), which can be used for yourself or a colleague.

https://ppgc.net/survey

CGP Announces Hall of Fame 2024 inductees!

Matthew Clark — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 20:07:08 GMT

CGP is delighted to announce the Hall of Fame 2024 inductees. Three outstanding professionals were selected for the 2024 Hall of Fame Award: Angela Woo Sosdian, Bruce Bigelow, PhD, and posthumously, Alice Pinsley, PhD. Over the course of their careers, they continue the mission of charitable gift planning through their dedication to philanthropy and impact on the organizations they've served.

Congratulations to the new inductees!

Click here to read more.

PPGC Mid-Year Report

Matthew Clark — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 17:10:44 GMT

Dear Members and Friends,

As we reach the halfway mark of 2024, I am thrilled to share the progress and highlights of our council's activities. Since assuming my role as president in January, it has been a rewarding experience to see the dedication and enthusiasm of our members in advancing the mission of planned giving in our community. I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the events we've hosted so far this year and provide a preview of our upcoming activities.

Highlights of 2024 Events

Philanthropy is a Team Sport (January 9, 2024) Mike Bell emphasized the collaborative nature of philanthropy, highlighting the crucial roles of the CEO, Chief Development Officer, and Board members. He discussed the importance of leveraging leadership visibility to promote philanthropy, and the need for seamless collaboration between gift planning officers and other fundraisers.
Understanding Taxation & Philanthropy from a Gift Officer’s Perspective (March 19, 2024) Natalie Taylor & Richard Peyser, provided gift officers and financial advisors with a primer on tax-wise giving covering taxation, tax rates, standard deduction vs. itemizing, capital gains impact, and utilizing assets to maximize philanthropic impact.
Promises Made, Promises Kept, and a Promising Future (May 14, 2024) Saleem Ghubril & Chan-Elle Vassell presented "Promises Made, Promises Kept, and a Promising Future," a discussion highlighting the evolution and impact of The Pittsburgh Promise, which has awarded nearly 12,000 scholarships worth $174 million. The speakers discussed lessons from their journey and the future direction of the organization, emphasizing the importance of local voices in fundraising and social change.

Upcoming Events

PPGC Summer Social (July 16, 2024) Join us for an evening of networking and celebration at our Summer Social Event at the East Side Campus of the Humane Animal Rescue Pittsburgh. This gathering will be a fantastic opportunity to connect with other fundraising professionals, share experiences, and enjoy a relaxing evening together. Hors d'oeuvres, light refreshments and a tour of the facility will be offered! Attendance is free and you don’t have to be a member to attend—we look forward to seeing you there!
Emerging Philanthropy Conference (September 27, 2024) Mark your calendars for our flagship event, the Emerging Philanthropy Conference. This annual conference will feature a stellar lineup of speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. It promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees, providing the latest insights and trends in the world of philanthropy and planned giving. Registration is now open!

Thank you!

I would be remiss if I did not also extend my heartfelt gratitude to our board members and other volunteers for their continued support and participation. Your commitment to PPGC and to advancing planned giving in our community is truly inspiring.

As we move forward, I encourage you to stay engaged, share your ideas, and participate in our upcoming events. Together, we can make a significant impact and continue to foster a culture of giving in Pittsburgh.

Thank you for your dedication, and I look forward to seeing you at our future events.

Warm regards,

Matthew Clark
PPGC President

National Conference Scholarship Opportunity

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:06:47 GMT

The 2024 CGP Conference scholarship window is open through July 15. Each scholarship includes complimentary conference registration and a one-year CGP membership. Scholarships are restricted to first-time conference attendees.

Scholarships are funded through the generosity of individual donors and companies dedicated to supporting the broader profession of charitable gift planning. The goal of the scholarship fund is to promote philanthropic planning techniques among a broad base of individuals.

Learn more about the process and submit an application below.

CGP Scholarship

Join the CGP DEI Committee on May 15

Thu, 02 May 2024 20:14:20 GMT

Join us for a conversation on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Planned Giving on May 15 at 1 p.m. ET. Hosted by CGP’s DEI Committee, this discussion will explore the latest trends, emerging practices, and future outlooks in the realm of planned giving.

No matter your role in planned giving, don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the DEI Committee, share insights, and chart a course toward a more inclusive and impactful philanthropic future.

May 2024

1 p.m. ET

Register Now

2024 DEI in Planned Giving Survey

Matthew Clark — Thu, 02 May 2024 13:21:22 GMT

Giving Docs has announced the 2024 Giving Docs biennial DEI in Planned Giving survey. Launched in 2022, this survey is a cornerstone of our mission to monitor industry trends and share effective practices in planned giving fundraising. Your participation is essential in helping us gather valuable insights and continue our collective pursuit of inclusive excellence.

Survey Details

Eligibility: Open exclusively to fundraisers currently employed in non-profit roles (please note, this survey is not intended for consultants or professional advisors).

Confidentiality: Your responses will be kept confidential. While individual comments will remain anonymous, we may publish summarized data and non-attributable quotes.

Thank you for helping us gather this important data that will provide greater insights on DEI practices in planned giving.

Take the Survey

New Board Members

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 17:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to our new board members for the 2024-2025 term:

Matthew Clark - President
Cynthia Caldwell - Immediate Past President
Rachel Zadnik - Vice President / President Elect
Susan Salyards - Secretary
Colin Connolly - Treasurer
Taylor Staiger - Assistant Treasurer
Jack Owen - Legislative Affairs
Brittany Zuckerman - Public Relations Committee Chair
Patricia Winter - Resources Committee Chair
Z. Allen Abbott - Program Committee Chair
Anne Lee - Emerging Philanthropy Conference Committee Chair
Chris Crytzer - Membership Committee Chair
Josh Diller - Director-at-large

We had our first board meeting prior to the January 9, 2024 regular meeting and are looking forward to working together to create a community where every individual leaves a legacy through philanthropic estate gifts.

Registration is open!

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 16:49:35 GMT

“Transformational philanthropy” is a gift that has as profound an impact on the donor who makes it (and often their family) as it does on the organization receiving the gift. Transformational philanthropy is not a function of the size of the gift. It is a function of the passion behind the gift.

Join us on November 14, 2023 as Rod Zeeb describes the steps to creating a transformational gift, and the one vital question that philanthropic planners often fail to ask.

Registration is now open!

National Estate Planning Awareness Week (October 16-22)

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 12:00:00 GMT

Happy Estate Planning Awareness Week! Didn't know that this was a thing? The third week of October has been recognized as National Estate Planning Awareness Week since 2008 to help the public understand what estate planning is and why it's so vital.

How does your organization participate? Members, please share your ideas in our online forum.

Another Successful EPC!

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:50:29 GMT

We are thrilled to share that the Emerging Philanthropy Conference on September 29 was a huge success, thanks to all of you who attended. We had a record-breaking attendance of 218, which was a 50% increase from 2022!

We want to thank MC Houser and the EPC Planning Committee for organizing a fantastic day of professional development, networking, and fun. We learned from experts and peers about topics such as social media fundraising, donor retention, grant writing, and more. We also had a chance to connect with other professionals and organizations in the field of philanthropy.

We hope you enjoyed the conference as much as we did. We’d love to see your pictures and hear your feedback. Please visit https://ppgc.net/EPC-Pictures to upload and share your photos. We hope to see you at next year's conference!

Congratulations to PPGC Scholarship Awardees

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 17:59:57 GMT

The Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council (PPGC) is pleased to announce that three non-profit fundraising professionals have been selected to receive scholarships to the Emerging Philanthropy Conference on September 29, 2023. The Conference, which is co-hosted by AFP Western PA Chapter, will take place at the Regional Learning Alliance Conference Center in Cranberry Township.

Congratulations to Teresa Trich, Director of Development, Braddock Carnegie Library; Devan Mercurio, Senior Manager of Development, Pittsburgh Public Theater; and Olivia Narciso, Donor Relations Manager, Pittsburgh Glass Center!

Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council is a membership organization of planned giving officers, development professionals, attorneys, financial planners, financial services officers, and insurance underwriters. The Council meets regularly to discuss issues and trends in the area of charitable gift planning and provides educational opportunities for its members. Visit our website at: ppgc.net.

Save the Dates

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:10:21 GMT

Our programming committee is hard at work coming up with some great programs for 2024. In the meantime, here are the tentative dates for 2024.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Tuesday, November 12, 2024

CGP Emerging Professionals

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:24:54 GMT

New to gift planning? Meet your peers!

The CGP Emerging Professionals affinity group aims to ease entry into gift planning for those with five or fewer years of experience in the field. Join us for a series of virtual events covering topics key to your development as a gift planner, a casual monthly Zoom meet-up, and an annual social at CGP conference.

You don't have to be a member of CGP to participate. RSVP for upcoming events at https://charitablegiftplanners.org/emerging-professionals

Text Notification Testing

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:43:19 GMT

Based on our recent poll, there is significant interest in receiving text notifications for events, membership notifications, etc. This is an opt-in program and is based on your profile having a valid cell phone AND your consent to receive text messages (you will not receive messages unless these fields are completed.) Update your member profile if you would like to participate.

Community Bulletin Board

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:33:47 GMT

We want to help you get the word out! Does your organization have an upcoming event that you want to share? Visit https://ppgc.net/community and let us know!

Updated Job Board

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:30:00 GMT

Our job listings page has received an upgrade, and is now integrated with Zip Recruiter! Review our current open positions, sign up for automatic email notfications, or post your position with us. As an added benefit, PPGC members can post a 30-day job listing for free!

Membership App Announcement

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:28:50 GMT

With the WildApricot for Members app, you can interact with PPGC and fellow members from your mobile device. See our membership roster, register for upcoming events, amd more. Try it out!

Register for "Common Misperceptions About Planned Giving Programs"

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 20:47:52 GMT

Have you wanted to start a planned giving program, but been discouraged or intimidated by a lack of resources, planned giving expertise or time? In this interactive session, Jack Owen, Esquire and Kara D. Mostowy, CFRE, GPC will dispel common myths about planned giving programs. You’ll leave this session with a methodology to develop a scalable planned giving program. Learn more and register at https://ppgc.net/event-5044120

Membership Dues Update

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:47:35 GMT

Facing increasing costs of hosting events at the Rivers Club, the PPGC Board voted to increase dues to $125/year effective July 1, 2023. New members and renewals before July 1, 2023 will be processed at the current $100/year rate. Thank you for your support of the PIttsburgh Planned Giving Council!

EPC 2023 - Registration is open!

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:46:54 GMT

We are pleased to announce that philanthropist and former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch will be the keynote speaker for our 2023 Emerging Philanthropy Conference. Registration is now open--learn more by visiting emergingphilanthropy.org.

EPC Scholarships Available

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 20:46:13 GMT

PPGC is pleased to offer two scholarships to the Emerging Philanthropy Conference in September. If you are interested in learning more about PPGC and gaining knowledge of philanthropic planning techniques, we encourage you to apply. Preference for the scholarships will be given to individuals demonstrating an interest in charitable gift planning who meet any of the following criteria:

Financial need
Individuals representing under-represented backgrounds
New to charitable gift planning (non-profit fundraiser or allied professional)
Serving in a new leadership role
Student planning a career in charitable gift planning

The deadline to apply for the PPGC Conference Scholarship is August 1, 2023. Click here for more information and to apply.

Member Poll: Text Notification Services

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 20:45:36 GMT

PPGC members were recently sent a poll to determine whether a text notification service would be useful. We want to hear from you! Click here to provide your feedback.

EPC 2023 - Call for Breakout Session Speakers!

Matthew Clark — Mon, 15 May 2023 19:30:27 GMT

In an effort to embrace transparency and diversity in our education breakout session selection, the Emerging Philanthropy Conference education committee has elected to use a RFP process for this year’s conference.

Please utilize this link to participate in the process, which we plan to close on May 15, 2023 at midnight. Learn more about the conference by visiting emergingphilanthropy.org.

Webinar: Gifts of Real Estate: They Don't Have to Be Perfect

Matthew Clark — Tue, 09 May 2023 19:32:09 GMT

Join the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council on Tuesday May 09, 2023 for the webinar: Gifts of Real Estate: They Don't Have to Be Perfect presented by Pete Sommerfeld. Learn more and register at https://ppgc.net/event-5044133

National CGP to raise dues

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 17:10:00 GMT

Membership Dues News

At CGP, we are always thinking about the future and how we can best enrich members’ work and careers through education, resources and advocacy. In moving forward after these difficult recent years, we’re seeking a refreshed understanding of what our members and councils find useful and relevant. The survey mentioned above is only one piece of a substantial forthcoming research effort. In partnership with YOU, the CGP national board and staff will develop an updated long-range plan on how to best serve our membership in the years ahead.

As we embark on this effort alongside our existing programs and technologies, including the return of an in-person CGP Conference, we must ensure continued resources to sustain our work. Effective January 1, 2023, annual individual membership dues will increase to $195.

We don’t take this change lightly, and know you don’t, either! Any member who renews by December 31 of this year, regardless of membership expiration date, may renew at the current rate of $180. Don’t hesitate to contact Jessica or Carey with questions or for help in updating your membership. Thank you for being part of the CGP community!

Speaking in Ages: Understanding the Communications Needs of our More Senior Donors

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 17:00:00 GMT

For our November 2022 program, Greg Wilson, CFRE will present "Speaking in Ages: Understanding the Communications Needs of our More Senior Donors."

In his nearly 25 years of frontline fundraising and managing frontline fundraisers, Greg has served in many and various leadership positions at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, Muhlenberg College, East Stroudsburg University Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, and more. While he’s held literally every position possible in fundraising planned giving is Greg’s favorite area – helping ordinary people make extraordinary gifts! Greg is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation from the American College of Financial Services, and a MS in nonprofit management from Eastern University. You’ve probably also seen Greg in various Planned Giving Marketing YouTube videos focused on practical planned giving fundraising.

Click here to add this event to your calendar.

CGP Conference Update

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:38:00 GMT

It was great! You should have been there. The annual conference for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners was held in Reno, Nevada from October 26-28, with twelve representatives from the Pittsburgh area in attendance. Kate McKenzie from the Pittsburgh Foundation co-presented a breakout session "Become the Tip of the Spear: Maximize Fundraising Success Leveraging Trusted Advisors," receiving great reviews. Probably the highlight of the conference was the the closing keynote featuring Dr. Russell James and Bryan Clontz in a hilarious yet informative presentation "How to Capture New Noncash Opportunities." Truly a great experience all around.

Next year, the conference will be held in Chicago, IL on November 1-3, 2023. Mark your calendars--this is one conference you don't want to miss!

Kate McKenzie, David DelFiandra and Shana Bielich

Emerging Philanthropy Conference Update

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:04:00 GMT

It was great! You should have been there. Our annual Emerging Philanthropy Conference was held on October 14th at the RLA Learning & Conference Center in Cranberry Township. More than 150 people registered to attend our first in-person conference since 2019, and we received positive feedback across the board.

Thank you to all of the sponsors and vendors that helped make the conference a success. We are already in the planning stages for next year's conference, so look for more information in the coming months.

Business Exit Planning and Goodwill Hunting

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Business Exit Planning and Goodwill Hunting

Your client or donor is ready to sell her business but faces looming tax issues. What if she could use accumulated goodwill to convert taxable ordinary income assets into capital gains taxed assets? That could lead to significant tax savings on the sale of business assets while helping her favorite charity!

Join the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council community and Randy A. Fox, CFP®, AEP®, author of Charitable Planning CSI Style – Goodwill Hunting, to hear about charitable donations of goodwill, and how they can be used to reduce your client’s taxable income. Randy’s presentation will last about 50 minutes, with the opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

Randy is the founder of Two Hawks Consulting, LLC, and is the editor in chief of the Planned Giving Design Center, a national newsletter and website for philanthropic advisors. He is a nationally known wealth strategist, philanthropic estate planner, educator and speaker, and has a personal goal to help facilitate $10B in charitable gifts before retirement.

We anticipate one hour of substantive CLE credit (distance learning) for Pennsylvania attorneys.

Members of the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council and the following allied professional organizations may attend for free. Please check with your chapter for the registration code.

AFP of Western Pennsylvania
Estate Planning Council of Pittsburgh
North Central West Virginia Estate Planning Council
Estate Planning Council of the Upper Ohio Valley
FPA of Pittsburgh
Society of Financial Service Professionals (Pittsburgh chapter)
Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management

Add to calendar

Survey request

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 13:51:00 GMT

Our membership and program committees are looking for your feedback on how we can improve our programs and your membership experience. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey at https://forms.gle/b3CYC21aN6HR3GRr9

August 2022 Legislative Update

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 20:25:02 GMT

At our July 26, 2022 event, board member Jack Owen shared a recent Tax Court case where a donor lost a $400K plus charitable tax deduction due to a charity's failure to include certain language in the "contemporaneous written acknowledgment" as required in the tax substantiation rules. You can read more about the matter and learn how your charity can avoid similar outcomes by visiting our Legislative Affairs page.

Enhancements to the Job Listings Page

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 18:05:00 GMT

While the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council has had a Job Listings page for many years, we've implemented a few changes to make it more user friendly for both candidates and employers. The job listings were previously entered manually for each posting in a simple list. No more! Each listing now has it's own standalone page which can support a short 2-3 paragraph summary of the position and include links to job descriptions or applications. We can even include a logo!

Even more exciting, we've set up a dedicated email list to keep jobseekers automatically informed when new jobs are posted. No more waiting around until our next newsletter goes out--new job postings are sent out at 8 AM EST each weekday to list subscribers. No more wondering whether your job has been posted. Now you will know!

We hope that these enhancements will be valuable to both job seekers and job posters. Let us know what you think!

Mailing Address Change

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 20:27:46 GMT

Our address has changed! Please note our new address is:

Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council
PO Box 14852
Pittsburgh, PA 15234

Membership Dues Transition

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 18:04:00 GMT

For the past several years, we have partnered with the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners to administer our local membership dues. We have now transitioned dues administration back to our local chapter. To join or renew your membership, visit https://ppgc.net/Membership

A Fond Farewell

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 20:38:25 GMT

Longtime PPGC chapter administrator, Sarah Poweska, has left to pursue other opportunities. During her tenure, she was instrumental in helping the council function smoothly including handling membership, coordinating chapter events and the Emerging Philanthropy Conference, preparing newsletter communications (such as this one) and maintaining our website. She has been an invaluable contributor and we wish her luck in the future.

In her absence, several board members will be "stepping up" to handle her many different tasks. You may still utilize the office@ppgc.net email address to contact us, but there may be some delays in responding. We appreciate your patience.