A Legacy of Generosity

In this episode we’ll be learning all about what Charitable Gift Annuities are, best practices for non-profits creating CGA agreements, best prospects for this gift vehicle, and recent news around payout rates. As a consultant, Edith (Edie) works with charitable organizations across the country, providing assistance on both gift-specific questions and issues relating to operation of their planned giving programs. Edie also helps charities comply with state regulations for issuance of gift annuities and is a contributing author for Charitable Gift Annuities: The Complete Resource Manual. Edie has spoken at American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA) conferences, local planned giving councils, and to varying groups within charitable organizations (including Boards, staff, and donors). She is a past board member the ACGA.

Join us for part two of the conversation with Frances Roen of Fundraising Sol to learn the five key ingredients to reclaim fundraising as a practice that nourishes the heart and sol of your team and those you serve. Doesn’t it make sense that the work we do to support a healthier community should be grounded in the wellness of our teams and organizations? We think so! Frances Roen is the Founder and CEO of Fundraising Sol where since 2018, she has partnered with dozens of nonprofits and hundreds of nonprofit professionals across the country to make fundraising the bright spot in their days.

Join us as we talk to master storyteller, Lori L. Jacobwith about the nine steps listed below to a successful fundraising campaign. Step 1 - LeadershipStep 2 - StaffStep 3 - Board MembersStep 4 - Goals, Timelines, and UrgencyStep 5 - Telling Your StoryStep 6 - Keeping Your Donors EngagedStep 7 - Money ConversationsStep 8 - Be SpecificStep 9 - Donor Data Management Lori also shares some great tips and insights on how to tell impactful stories that continue the "hope journey". This includes the hugely positive impact of having board members make thank you calls to first time donors and how they are 37% more likely to donate again when this happens than when it doesn't! Listen now for more great insight!

Our latest episode is live!! Join us again with Aileen Rosa Sanchez as we talk about how events have evolved since Covid. Aileen shared some great tips for maximizing engagement and going beyond the event to connect with new and current donors. We touch on the huge success Aileen’s former employer, Lutheran Social Services (LSS), had during their fall annual event in 2022 and lessons learned there. If you’re planning an event in 2023, you’re going to want to listen to this first! #fundraising #events #plannedgiving #fundraisingevent

SECURE 2.0 has created opportunities for new and reinvigorated conversations about giving from traditional IRAs. In this episode, seasoned professionals, Craig Wruck and Dana Holt, join volunteer co-host, Marie Ruzek, to discuss what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and actions you can take to tap into the momentum of the passage of this new law.

Join Gay & Kristi as they talk with Aileen Rosa Sanchez about transformational leadership and how to bring new people into your development team. In this conversation they touch on topics like recruiting, training and advancing your team, reaching the hard to reach, embedding IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and access) values into your team culture and employee recognition. If you're leading and/or growing a team, you'll want to listen in to this one! Aileen Rosa Sanchez is the Senior Director of Philanthropy at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and Children's Home. She is a strategy, equity and fund development leader. Aileen’s previous philanthropic portfolio includes Mayo Clinic, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, and various Twin Cities nonprofits, as well as political and foundation engagement. Aileen helped co-found the Latino Economic Development Center in Minnesota and also the New World School of the Arts Alumni Foundation in her hometown of Miami, Florida. She has also helped build diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at various institutions.

We had some technical difficulties with this episode, so it is incomplete. Please enjoy the first half and we'll get the rest posted ASAP! Join us for a conversation with Frances Roen of Fundraising Sol to learn the five key ingredients to reclaim fundraising as a practice that nourishes the heart and sol of your team and those you serve. Doesn’t it make sense that the work we do to support a healthier community should be grounded in the wellness of our teams and organizations? We think so! Frances Roen is the Founder and CEO of Fundraising Sol where since 2018, she has partnered with dozens of nonprofits and hundreds of nonprofit professionals across the country to make fundraising the bright spot in their days.

Tricia Schleper, Lifecoach with Schleper Coaching, helps us explore and identify how limiting beliefs affect our personal and professional lives. These subtle, sometimes unrealized beliefs can hinder our ability to communicate and expand our skillsets as Development Professionals. If you have ever wondered why you can’t seem to make the next level, or overcome internal stress or fear, this episode might open the door. Tricia discusses common limiting beliefs, how they impact our work, and simple steps we can take to put limiting beliefs behind us.

Are you wondering, maybe even a little worried, about how a recession will impact your fund development efforts? Then this episode is one you won't want to miss. Jennifer Berges, Director of Philanthropy at EngenderHealth, shares her experiences as a development officer during periods of uncertainity and the strategies she's used to keep her organizations on track. Planned and legacy giving are two areas she leans heavily into during economic downturns to help her donors be creative about the ways they support the organizations they love.  Jennifer is responsible for developing and executing EngenderHealth’s individual giving strategy, including major gifts, planned giving, and family foundation gifts. She also oversees the philanthropy team and annual giving. Jennifer has more than 17 years of experience in fundraising, management, and leadership at higher education, public media, and arts organizations. Prior to joining EngenderHealth, she served as development director at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Jennifer holds a bachelor of arts in history and American culture studies from Washington University in St. Louis and a master of business administration from the University of South Florida.

In this season of gratitude, be reminded of the joys and rewards of the work we do. Hear from two philanthropy professionals about key themes of donor relations, with the donor’s passion at the center. Our guests will share examples and lessons learned from more than 60 combined years of experience. You will come away with practical insights and tips along with renewed inspiration. Guest bios: Lynn Praska Lynn joined the planned giving team at the University of Minnesota Foundation in 2009. She came to the Foundation from Hamline University where she had more than 17 years of planned and major gift development experience. Lynn is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the Minnesota Gift Planning Association. She served on the MGPA board from 2006 to 2011, and as chair in 2008. Lynn currently served on the Conference Committee and Communications Committee for MGPA. Susan Hommes Susan joined the planned giving team at the University of Minnesota Foundation in 2007 and was recently named Senior Director of Planned Giving. She has over 30 years of development experience, having held positions with United Way, Catholic Charities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and Community Action Council (360 Communities). Susan earned her B.A. from the College of St. Benedict and her M. A. in public administration and management from Hamline University. She is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the Minnesota Gift Planning Association, serving as chair in 2006. She currently served on the board and is past president of the West St. Paul/Mendota Heights Rotary Club and is an active volunteer with St. Pascal Baylon church and school. She lives in St. Paul with her husband Joe and son Peter. She enjoys hiking, bicycling, and wine!

In this episode, we take a shallow dive into the emerging digital currency world. Dan, Chase, and Carl explore cryptocurrency's history, current uses, and possible future – and the mysterious NFT. The discussion also covers concerns regarding gifts of cryptocurrencies to nonprofits and how nonprofit organizations can better position themselves to receive digital currency donations. Dan Kramer is a financial strategist and investor in the St. Cloud area that helps clients nationwide with organizing and structuring their personal finances to gain more control of their money, recover losses to increase client's wealth. Chase Larson is the Chief Lending Officer at St. Cloud Financial Credit Union and is a results driven leader with 15 years of experience in Finance, Credit and Banking.

Join Ali & Kristi as the dive into the unconscious mind with NLP Trainer, Author & Speaker, Betsy Pake. Together they explore how the internal stories we have can hold us back from hitting our goals, affect conversations with donors and impact our view of money. Betsy shares practical, easy steps to create awareness and start making shifts that will help anyone get "unstuck". Once we have great awareness about ourselves we can also start identifying patterns in others and create a more effective approach to working with donors based on their "buying strategy". Listen in now to unlock your potential to raise more money for the mission you care about!  Betsy is a Master Mindset coach, board-certified trainer of NLP and Hypnotherapy and founder of The Alchemy institute. As a best-selling author, speaker, and host of the popular podcast, The Art of Living Big, Betsy creates opportunities to shift your mindset and change your life. You can find out more about her on her website: betsypake.com.

Join our hosts, Carl Newbanks and Kristi Ackley, in this classic episode as our guests share scary stories of will bequests gone wrong! Jim Dwyer and Nancy Brown have decades of experience working with nonprofits and donors to align charitable goals with mission and purpose. But these years of experience don't come without nightmare stories that would keep any development professional up at night.

One of the most frequent topics of conversation amongst fundraisers is how to meaningfully engage their board members in the fund development activities of their organization. Ali & Marie invite fellow Legacy of Generosity co-host and nonprofit consultant, Kristi Ackley, to share her insights and strategies to coach board members and help them capitalize on their own strengths and interests for a greater impact on the organization. She covers the major barriers board members have in participating and ways to overcome those barriers. She also shares how she uses Kay Sprinkel Grace's AAA model to assess boards and find the right fit for them in the donor development cycle. If you're looking for some new ideas on how to inspire your board to be more active in your fund development efforts, you don't want to miss this episode! 

In this episode we'll talk about how Minnesota’s nonprofit sector continues to navigate a world still grappling with the impacts of COVID-19, reckoning with systemic racism, economic challenges and changes in charitable giving, threats to democracy, and more. In this podcast, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN)’s associate director Kari Aanestad shares insights, highlights, and lowlights with regard to how the nonprofit sector is faring and what could be ahead for nonprofits and the communities they serve in the coming years. Before stepping into the associate director role in August 2021, Kari served as MCN’s director of advancement where she provided leadership to MCN’s fundraising efforts, responsive research, and philanthropic reform initiatives.

In this episode, we focus on engaging volunteers for planned giving initiatives. Carl & Kristi invite fellow Legacy of Generosity co-host and Wells Fargo Philanthropic Advisor, Marie Ruzek, to share her lessons learned from creating three volunteer planned giving committees. She shares six easy steps you can take to set your volunteer committee up for success. She also offers insights into the composition of her most successful committee (and how you might want to structure your next one). The episode concludes with practical dos and don'ts to help you launch and maintain a vibrant, active, and successful volunteer planned giving committee. If you want your organization to be more successful in planned and legacy giving, tune in and be ready to take some notes!

Overall, 33% of U.S. adults have a will, according to Caring.com’s 2021 wills and estate planning survey. Meanwhile, 27.5% of Black Americans have one, up from 25.9% in 2020. According to legalzoom.com Estate Planning Statistics, “the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of people who have created a will or estate plan, but most Americans still remain without.” Some might consider this a state of emergency, but for those in fundraising and planning professions, it is an opportunity. Learn from Patrick Schmitt of FreeWill on how your nonprofit can lean into this month's theme and utilize FreeWill's platform to bring in more legacy commitments that support your mission. Patrick also shares stats about millennial wealth, forecast on planned gifts and the rise in crypto giving. Get some great talking points in this episode! This episode's co-hosts are Ali Schneider, Animal Humane Society and Kristi Ackley, Fair Winds Consulting. To learn more about FreeWill, visit their website: https://www.freewill.com/

As a fundraiser you are likely pulled in a million directions, have competing priorities and a to do list that never ends. And in a time when the economy is struggling and uncertainty is growing, the pressure on you to raise funds is likely heightened. So, mastering the art of time management could be critical to reduce stress, gain a happier work/life blending AND maximize impact. In this episode, Ali & Kristi are joined by Tammy Moore of Being Moore to discuss practical approaches to better time management. While we give some focus to the unique struggles fund development professionals face, this episode will provide tools and approaches to improve your time management skills regardless of your professional role. Tammy is the founder of Being Moore - a marketing and communications consultancy. She is a passionate storyteller, nonprofit supporter and fundraising messenger. Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammymooremn/

Join us for this first ever crossover episode with Next in Nonprofits podcast! Steve Boland is the host of that program, "featuring tools, technologies and trends for nonprofit growth." Carl, Kristi & Steve talk about the questions and challenges approaching and supporting large donors in making choices around big gifts to charities. One option would be to create or give to an endowment - earning money for future needs. Another would be to invest in a "big swing" - spending a much larger amount of money all at once to create a larger-scale impact that in turn ripples over time. Our hosts discuss the conversation with those donors, the focus of nonprofit boards in how to pursue larger-scale gifts, community-centric giving models and much more. We didn't solve all the world's problems in this show, but we sure gave it a shot! 

Join us for a casual conversation about the lessons our guest, Don Hickman from the Initiative Foundation, has learned over his decades of experience working as a program manager and funder in rural Minnesota. We'll talk about the changing landscape, both past and present, and how using shared goals can be the basis for starting the conversation that leads to greater acceptance in small towns that have traditionally been resistant to change. We hope listeners will gain a better understanding of the work being done in rural MN, the different challenges nonprofits experience there and a renewed desire to keep the conversation going. Please note that our hosts, Carl & Kristi, nor our guest, Don, claim to be experts in DEI or the lived experiences of our BIPOC or LGBTQ+ neighbors. We are simply committed to learning and growing and hope this episode will aid others in that same pursuit.

The “Great Resignation” is a reality in the nonprofit world. How is it impacting your organization and your donors, and what can you do to provide a culture that rewards your team and retains their talent? Join Gay & Mark as they discuss strategies with a returning guest, Patrick Kirby!

Launching a new or major fundraising campaign can be intimidating, but with a few key things in place your chances of success are much higher! Join our conversation with Katrina Pierson from Katrina Lynn Consulting as we discuss the best practices of major campaigns, either with outside support or on your own. Our hosts for this episode, Gay & Kristi ask the tough questions about feasibility studies, board engagement and campaign leadership. If you want to launch a new fundraising campaign or are considering a major capital or planned giving campaign, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Join Ali & Kristi to learn how an endowment fund fits into the overall finances of a nonprofit organization, and pairs with a planned giving program to build long-term support for the organization’s mission. Guest Cindy Aegerter from Thrivent Charitable explains that endowment funds are partnerships between supporters and the organization itself, based on the idea of mutual stewardship. By creating the endowment, the organization invites donors to create a planned gift, by showing how those assets will be stewarded for the long-term sustainability of the organization’s mission. And by supporting the endowment fund, donors act as stewards to and for the organization. Here’s the link to the Organizational Endowment Guide Cindy referenced: Organizational Endowment Guide_23831.pdf (thriventcharitable.com) And Thrivent Charitable website: www.thriventcharitable.com

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, every profession has embraced the new reality of remote work and online tools. Most, if not all, Planned Giving professionals made an abrupt switch from a style of work that centered on in-person meetings to a new style, relying almost exclusively on remote tools. As we transition back to our offices, most of us will need to adjust to a hybrid form of our profession that utilizes in-person meetings and Zoom, Skype, etc.. In this episode, Mark & Carl are joined by Paul Grassman of Thompson & Associates. Paul joined the podcast in the early stages of the pandemic to talk about emerging remote tools. Now Paul joins us again to revisit the topic and discuss the “New Normal” of the Planned Giving profession that effectively blends digital tools and human interaction (yes, the in-person stuff) to initiate, develop, and sustain donor relationships. 

This is the year to build a sustainable planned giving program by incorporating gift planning into your annual fundraising plan. We discuss overcoming barriers, normalizing legacy giving among leadership, and how to add action-steps and accountability into your already packed to-do list. Join co-hosts Carl Newbanks and Marie Ruzek as they hear how Sarah Staiger successfully started a planned giving program. Hint: it includes seeking out advice from MN Gift Planning Association members! Sarah and her business partner Laura Vitelli, have generously offered to listeners, a free 90-minute coaching sessions. You can find them at: https://staigervitelli.com/about-us

As fundraisers we’re often asked difficult questions about the future. From the effects of policy changes to predictions about next generation giving patters, our organizations rely on us for insight into what the future holds. Thankfully, Futurism and the practical approach our guest, Trista Harris, shares in today’s episode will help you answer those pressing questions. We’ll also talk about how to be a better bridge builder between the future our donors envision and the work our nonprofit does. And of course, we can’t talk about the future without diving into Millennial and Gen Z giving outlooks! Join co-hosts Ali Schneider & Kristi Ackley as we explore how we can all be Futurists. Trista Harris Website Two Curves Framework

One of the primary roles of a fundraiser is to connect community resources to community needs. Although we’ve connected the two in some ways, a schism persists when we “other” those in need and glorify those who have the resources. Collaboration within the community continues to change as program participants, funders, fundraisers, and community partners come together to address issues that impact everyone, like the pandemic and racial /social justice. Join co-hosts Ali Schneider & Kristi Ackley as they explore how we can focus on fundraising for the collective community with guest Michelle Edgerton, founder of The Edgerton Group - an innovative, strategic fundraising and organizational development consulting firm. Michelle shares how the three R’s of being relatable, reciprocal and relational can lead to a respectful unification and recognition that we fundraise for us, not them.

Dana Holt has been telling us for years that non-cash gifts don’t have to be intimidating and now she’s here to share with you some of her experiences, tips and some pretty exciting news that every nonprofit fundraiser will want to hear! Join Kristi Ackley & Mark Beenken as they chat with this estate planning attorney turned charitable gift planning educator, coach and professional speaker about everything from simple changes to your pledge cards to resources for handling really complicated gifts. This episode will really help you take your fund development efforts to the next level! Dana is the founder of Holt Consulting where she helps you Turn Wealth Into What Matters. Pre-order her book here: https://www.kirkhousepublishers.com/product-page/turning-wealth-into-what-matters-by-dana-holt

After positive experiences with a mutual donor, podcast co-host, Marie Ruzek, invited Shannon Gahagan a Philanthropic Advisor at Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, to join her and co-host Carl Newbanks for a timely conversation on family giving traditions. If you’re looking for ideas for your own family, or to offer advice to your donors to make #charitablegiving a more meaningful family endeavor for all ages, don’t miss this episode. #happyholidays!

Hear from public speaker and trainer Denny Smith on how he turned his coaching experience inward to lead with kindness for a more calm and positive approach to life and work. Use the techniques he outlines in his book, Emotional Intelligence 101 to get through the stressful holiday and year-end #charitablegiving crunch, and every day, with more ease and contentment. After this delightful conversation with volunteer co-hosts Carl Newbanks and Marie Ruzek, Marie was able to recommend Denny as a speaker to a friend looking to solve a leadership communication issue. Share with your friends & colleagues too. #happyholidays!

Do you want your donors to be so excited that they are opening their thank you letters before they even walk in the front door? We do too and that's why we invited Dawn Brown, CFRM to join us again and share ideas on how to make that happen! Co-hosts Ali Schneider and Kristi Ackley had such a great time with Dawn in the last episode they wanted to keep the conversation going. In this episode we'll dig into simple changes you can make to increase the chances your donors will open your mail, fun donor thank you events and how to create powerful moments for the donors you love! In this episode we mention the book: The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath. Want to hear more from Dawn? Check out our November 9 episode and be sure to follow her blog at dawnbrown.com. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to stay update on our latest episodes! @legacy_of_generosity_podcast

Would you like to find a way to streamline your marketing efforts while connecting with your donors in a meaningful way and save time doing it? Then this episode is for you! Join co-hosts Ali Schneider and Kristi Ackley as we talk to Dawn Brown, CFRM about how you can leverage a left brain marketing method and unleash a right brain marketing moxie to get the results you are looking for in your donor communications. This episode is for any nonprofit professional or volunteer that wants their donors to enjoy hearing from them. That's everyone, right?  Dawn shares real-life experiences and results from the organization she leads in Grant County, Indiana. Results like a 252% increase in donations in the first year of implementing this new method! Want to hear more from Dawn? Check out our next episode where she'll join us again and be sure to follow her blog at dawnbrown.com.  Be sure to follow us on Instagram to stay update on our latest episodes!  @legacy_of_generosity_podcast

Have you ever feared that your worst fundraiser’s nightmare was about to come true? Maybe it was an event, a mailing or a donor visit that nearly careened off track from an internal glitch or miscommunication. Such challenges don’t have to turn into nightmares or horror stories!  Join our guest Claire Johnson, National Director of Development for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, as she shares stories of how fundraising professionals can gracefully manage through such surprises.  Fundraising “Nightmares and Horror stories” can instead become “Sweet Dream Stories of Generosity” and everyone wins!  Today’s episode is hosted by Gay Gonnerman, from The Food Group Minnesota; and Mark Beenken from Augsburg University.  Claire has a super-positive, creative, and energetic outlook and approach to fundraising and her stories and examples will entertain and inform!

It's our one-year anniversary! In this special episode, you will get to know each of our six podcast hosts a little bit better, hear more about the show and dream with us for the future. This volunteer crew has learned a lot over the last year and we're ready to make the new season even better. Carl leads this fun episode with Ali, Gay, Kristi, Marie, & Mark.

From classics to life-changers, if you’re looking for your next #greatread – one that will help you be better at your job and enjoyable in its own right – listen to this conversation with experienced #nonprofitleader Robert “Bob” Heuermann’s  for his Best Reads in this episode. Co-hosts Carl Newbanks, CFRE and Marie Ruzek, JD, CFRE, CAPcover a lot of ground with Bob, who’s had a hobby and passion for reading for #professionaldevelopment for over 20 years. You’ll be sure to get several ideas for your reading list or your next book club pick!

We’ve spoken with many fundraising professionals on this podcast and now we want to get a donor’s perspective. Susan Rostkoski has been on both sides of the conversation and provide a unique view of the relationship between fundraisers and donors. It is important to understand where donors are coming from so we can strengthen their bonds to these causes they care so much about. Susan has been a donor and volunteer to many organizations she is passionate about. She also worked at Neighborhood House in St. Paul, MN for over 20 years and ended her tenure as the Director of Donor Relations. She is now a consultant with Strategic Consulting and Coaching.  Your hosts for this episode are Ali Schneider from Animal Humane Society and Kristi Ackley from Fair Winds Consulting, LLC. 

Join us as we visit with Susan Murray from Tickets for Kids about the benefits of a mentoring relationship for both the "mentee" and mentor, the benefits of seeking out a mentor from outside your employer organization, and why you might want to consider becoming a mentor to others as well.  We also discuss MGPA's Hargrovesmentoring program and the benefits of a "formal" mentoring relationship with specific goals, action steps, and accountability Your hosts for this episode are Mark Beenken from Augsburg University and Gay Gonnerman from The Food Group.

Fundraisers and nonprofit leaders: put this great idea to use now! It will make you, your career satisfaction, your skillsets, and your organizations more successful. Sarah K. Nathan, Ph.D. used quantitative and qualitative data to show that one proven strategy to retain fundraisers is to provide professional development opportunities that help fundraisers connect and learn from others in the field. In this podcast, Dr. Nathan and co-hosts, Carl Newbanks, CFRE and Marie Ruzek, JD, CFRE, CAP discuss best practices and practical tips on how to implement peer mentoring now. Use Sarah’s article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy for your first peer mentoring conversation: Fundraisers at Small Nonprofits Need More Support. Peer Mentoring May Be the Answer. (philanthropy.com)

The most fulfilling gifts are those where the donor's passions are aligned with the institution's needs. So, how do we secure more of these types of gifts? Join co-hosts Kristi Ackley & Ali Schneider as they dive into this topic with planned giving expert, Craig Wruck charitable giving career spans over 40 years in both the nonprofit & for-profit world and he’s the author of Planned Giving in a Nutshell. In this episode you’ll hear practical tips for qualifying individuals that have the greatest alignment with your mission, how to let go of those that don’t and tips for great conversations that lead to the most fulfilling gifts.

Join co-hosts Mark Beenken and Gay Gonnerman for a conversation with the author of Fundraise Awesomer: The Five-Day Fundraising Plan. Learn how doing one thing each day = fundraising results. Have you noticed that building donor relationships often takes a backseat to all the busyness of the week? Being intentional and consistent day by day can lead to transformational gifts. Founder of Do Good Better Consulting, Patrick Kirby puts the fun back in fundraising. If you're a development professional or board member who wears 10,000 hats at your nonprofit and wondering how to prioritize your gift planning, Patrick has a simple 5-day framework that lets you focus on building better relationships.

Many fundraisers and gift planners hesitate to engage legal counsel. However, every fundraiser or gift planner should know when they should secure the services of an attorney. In this episode, Sheryl Morrison - Partner at Lathrop GPM, discusses several key points to consider when engaging legal counsel. This insightful discussion will benefit organizations that regularly access legal counsel and those seeking legal advice for the first time. The conversation with Sheryl covers how to initiate a relationship with an attorney, how to determine if an attorney is a good fit for your organization, the types of gifts that typically require legal assistance, and additional services lawyers can provide to nonprofit organizations. Co-hosts for this episode are Carl Newbanks and Ali Schneider. 

Join co-hosts Marie Ruzek and Kristi Ackley as they dive into the world of social media with guest, Jon Ruzek. Jon is a seasoned networking and consulting strategist with years of experience in alumni relations, higher education, nonprofits, personal branding, and social media. In this episode, we'll explore why a professional presence on social media is important for you and the organization you support. Jon will share insights on which platforms to consider and give some great tips on how to use your time to make the biggest impact. Another great episode you won't want to miss! 

Qualified charitable distributions are becoming increasingly popular as a way for donors to supporter their favorite non-profits. Join co-hosts Ali Schneider and Mark Beenken as they interview Cody Tresselt-Warren, a senior wealth planner for Wells Fargo Private Bank, about the dos and don’ts of QCD. We will provide an in-depth conversation about QCDs from both the fundraiser and advisor point of view. Cody will share his insights about the benefits of QCDs to donors, the intricacies around this type of gifts, and how fundraisers can make it as easy as possible for both the donor and advisor.

Donor segmentation is a proven tool for communicating effectively with our audiences. Join co-hosts Mark Beenken & Kristi Ackley as they explore how to apply that tool to communications for legacy donors with guest, Steve Boland. Steve is a nonprofit veteran with over twenty-five years of experience helping charities grow with new ideas in fundraising and communications and is the Managing Partner of Next in Nonprofits. He'll share insights on why and how to segment your communications to capture the attention of potential legacy donors. Steve also shares some great tips for cultivating those individuals to also help with opening doors to other legacy donors! This is an episode you won't want to miss! 

This episode is in honor of the month dedicated to bringing awareness to the environment, with Earth Day on April 22, 2021. Join hosts Marie Ruzek and Mark Beenken as they visit with Sherrie Beal from The Nature Conservancy about the "Why? How? Should we? When?" and other best practices when it comes to your nonprofit accepting gifts of real estate.

In this series we will be inviting our colleagues from across the state to share their best advice, experiences, and expertise with all of us. In this episode, join co-hosts Kristi Ackley & Ali Schneider with guest, Scott Nelson as they talk about Scott's focus on relationship building and donor relations. Scott is the Director Gift Planning at Benedictine and has over three decades of experience in fund development. His insights and lessons learned are sure to be of value even to the most seasoned professional!  Books referenced: What Color is Your Parachute? - https://www.parachutebook.com/ The Artful Journey: Cultivating & Soliciting Major Gifts - https://www.amazon.com/Artful-Journey-Cultivating-Soliciting-Major/dp/1566250900

Listen to a real conversation with co-hosts Carl Newbanks and Marie Ruzek about diversity, equity and inclusion, specifically in Greater Minnesota. Liz Cheney, Director of Philanthropy from Southwest Initiative Foundation, located in Hutchinson, MN, shares a recent experience leaning into an equity conversation with a donor. These conversations are imperative to our organizations’ missions, for our neighbors, each other and a more just world where each person feels a sense of belonging. They will be uplifting, bumpy, draining, and are not optional. If this was useful, please share it with your network. Additional resources: To increase your own understanding and competency: Bridging_Differences_Playbook-Final.pdf (berkeley.edu) For taking action on board diversity: 5-Questions-for-board-diversity-2.pdf (boardsource.org)

75% of all nonprofit professionals are women and yet only 45% of nonprofit CEOs/Executive Directors are women! How is this possible? Join co-hosts Mark Beenken and Kristi Ackley as we honor Women’s History Month with an exploratory look at one colleague’s experience as a woman in the field of philanthropy. Our guest, Katrina Pierson, CFRE will share some of her personal story, provide insight on how we can support more women in this field and leave us with practical tips to shift our work culture to one that is more welcoming for all individuals. Katrina is the owner of Katrina Lynn, LLC, where she helps NGOs and wholehearted businesses bring their story to life.

Join co-hosts Ali Schneider and Kristi Ackley as they talk with Dana Holt about the recently rebranded Minnesota Gift Planning Association (MPGA). Dana serves as the board chair, leading the organization through a pandemic, first ever virtual conference and a huge marketing effort to rebrand. In addition to serving as our fearless leader, she works with nonprofits through her firm, Holt Consulting, as a charitable gift planning educator, coach and speaker. In this episode our listeners will learn more about all that MGPA does, how it benefits its members and the professional community and plans for 2021! Show Notes: Ways to get involved: Monthly education meetings Mentorship Program Join a committee Attend an event Connect and find the best way for you!  Learn more about MGPA: https://mngpa.org/ Schedule a strategy session with Dana: https://holtplannedgiving.com/

Join co-hosts Carl Newbanks and Marie Ruzek, CAP®, in a conversation with guest, Kashi Yoshikawa, CFA®, as they discuss what’s ahead for the year with regard to the economy and opportunities for charitable planning discussions. For example, do the high stock valuations of certain tech stocks and the very low interest rates provide fodder for asset-based charitable donations? More than ever before High-Net Worth individuals and nonprofits are implementing social investing; including ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors into their decisions. What do you need to know to be conversant?

Join co-hosts Mark Beenken and Kristi Ackley with their guest, Brenda Moore, as they discuss three areas of plan execution that will determine our success in 2021. Last month Brenda shared with our listeners some time-tested tips on how to start their year out right by putting together a solid plan. In this episode, she'll share insight on how to execute those plans to grow your legacy portfolio. Brenda is President at Brenda Moore & Associates, LLC, where she works primarily with faith-based organizations to meet their fundraising goals.

Join co-hosts Kristi Ackley and Mark Beenken as they talk with Rebecca Stibbe about how even the smallest of nonprofits can benefit from complicated gifts when they partner with their local community foundation or similar organization. Becky is Director of Philanthropic Services at Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, where she works with individuals and organizations to help them develop and fulfill their philanthropic visions. Becky is looking forward to sharing with our listeners the many ways her foundation, and many others across the state, partner with nonprofits and donors to ensure gifts like charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, land, or many other non-cash assets can still benefit the charity of choice even if they don't have the in-house expertise.

Join co-hosts Mark Beenken and Carl Newbanks as they talk with Brenda Moore about how we can start planning now to set our year up for success. Brenda is President at Brenda Moore & Associates, LLC, where she works primarily with faith-based organizations to meet their fundraising goals. Brenda recognizes that Legacy Giving is a low-cost investment in capturing a high impact share of the current wealth transfer for nonprofit. She's ready to share from her 30+ years' experience as a resource development professional some time-tested tips on how to kick-off your year right by starting with a solid plan.

Co-hosts Carl Newbanks and Kristi Ackley, reconnect with Jim Dwyer to share more scary stories of will bequests gone wrong! Jim’s decades of experience working with nonprofits and donors have given him many nightmare stories that would keep any development professional up at night! Listeners might remember that Jim recently retired from St. John’s University a liberal arts college in Central Minnesota.

Join co-hosts Mark Beenken and Kristi Ackley as they talk with Sarah Erkkinen about the importance of thanking donors in a personal way. Sarah is Assistant Vice-President for Special Projects at Augsburg University. She has been the driving force behind the development office's efforts to thank and express their gratitude to their principal/key donors in creative and meaningful ways this past year and is ready to share some ideas and insights with our listeners!

Join co-hosts, Mark Beenken and Carl Newbanks, as they interview guest Paul Grassman about how he's been using virtual tools to manage donor relationships. Paul is a Vice President at Thompson & Associates, headquartered in Nashville, TN, but working with clients across the country. Paul will share how a global pandemic has significantly expanded their use of the virtual tools and give the audience some practical tips for growing relationships during this unique time. 

Join our hosts, Carl Newbanks and Kristi Ackley, as our guests share scary stories of will bequests gone wrong! Jim Dwyer and Nancy Brown have decades of experience working with nonprofits and donors to align charitable goals with mission and purpose. But these years of experience don't come without nightmare stories that would keep any development professional up at night.

Co-hosts Mark Beenken and Kristi Ackley share a little bit about the upcoming podcast series and introduce you to Minnesota Gift Planning Association and the Leave a Legacy MN committee.  A huge thank you to our composer, Daniel Kallman, for creating our original theme music!