Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Spotlight Episode: Carolinas Planned Giving Conference 2023

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Charitable Chit with Cathy & Claire shine a spotlight on the fantastic regional planned giving conference -- The Carolinas Planned Giving Conference!

Special guests are Tamisha Keith, J.D., Director of Gift Planning at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College in Greensboro, North Carolina and Dana Taylor, CFRE, Director of Planned Giving a at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Both are instrumental in the planning of the 2023 Carolinas Planned Giving Conference which is held every year at the beautiful Kanuga Conference Center in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

In this episode, Cathy &. Claire lead an informative and fun conversation with their guests and delve into the main reasons why the Carolinas Planned Giving Conference is one of the greatest meetings in the wonderful world of planned giving: it's casual, features excellent programming and encourages friendships among the philanthropy professionals.

Learn more about Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy &. Claire and connect with Cathy Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff on LinkedIn.

Doug White, Philanthropy Expert & Author: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0400

In this episode, the noted philanthropy expert and author Doug White walks us through two extremely interesting cases of a nonprofit nightmare...

When GOOD gifts go BAD.

The first is a case from New Jersey that went to trial. It was a 50k gift to a no-kill animal shelter from a couple who were promised the gift would be used to build a specific area for larger breed and other types of hard to place pets. The charity merged with another, did not fulfill the donors wishes -- and so the donors sued -- and won their case.

The second case was the subject of Doug's book Abusing Donor Intent: The Robertson Family's Epic Lawsuit Against Princeton University, which delves into the massive legal wrangling lasting years and tallying up nearly 100 million dollars in legal fees.

Throughout our discussion, experienced fundraiser and Charitable Chit Chat co-host Cathy R. Sheffield shares so many helpful insights about how to keep good gifts from going bad: proper stewardship, good communication between the nonprofit and the donor and yes, to always have an "escape clause" in a gift agreement with a donor, which provides leeway.

Thank you to Doug White for brining his expertise to Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire.

To learn more about Doug White, visit DougWhite.net.

Connect with Cathy R. Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff on LinkedIn and visit CharitableChitChat.com for all podcast episodes.

Steve Clark, Virginia Tech: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Sun, 09 May 2021 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode, meet Steve Clark, Assistant Vice President for Gift Planning at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Our hostesses Cathy Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff chat about college planned giving efforts with this experienced development professional.

We also discuss the very important "soft skills" of fundraising, such as listening well and asking the right questions. Learning from your donor about their full-philanthropic interests and what matters them. Steve has a few great questions that every fundraiser should think about, especially those who are newer to the field.

If you need any help with your planned giving, just get in touch with us, because as we like to say -- "Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire is more than a podcast -- we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

Cheryl Mott Smith, Loyola Marymount University: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0500

College Planned Giving and Empathy in Fundraising

In this episode, meet Cheryl Mott Smith, Executive Director, Gift Planning at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Our hostesses Cathy Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff chat about college planned giving efforts with this experienced development professional.

We also discuss a very important trait that many planned giving people have -- empathy. Cheryl is someone who knows much about this as she battled cancer while continuing to work as a frontline fundraiser. In this interview, Cheryl shares what she learned about her donors, her colleagues and herself during this difficult time.

You can learn more about Loyola Marymount's gift planning program by visiting their website.

If you need any help with your planned giving, just get in touch with us, because as we like to say -- "Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire is more than a podcast -- we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

Dr. Russell James Unplugged! Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 14:00:00 -0500

Dr. Russell James of Texas Tech is the unofficial ROCK STAR of the wonderful world of planned giving. And in this episode our hostesses Cathy Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff chat with Dr. James about his work and his life.

You'll get an inside look at how Dr. James views his work and hear some amazing and useful ideas for discussing planned giving options with your nonprofit's likely planned giving donors.

If you'd like to learn much, much more, you can visit Dr. James YouTube Channel.

We hope you enjoy this episode with Dr. Russell James!

If you need any help with your planned giving, just get in touch with us, because as we like to say -- "Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire is more than a podcast -- we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

2020 CGP Preview with Meryl Cosentino & Kent Weimer: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 13:00:00 -0400

The 2020 CGP Conference!

In this episode, meet CGP 2020 Conference Chair Meryl Cosentino of New York University and Kent Weimer, Parkland Foundation who is the current National Association of Charitable Gift Planners board chair.

Our Charitable Chit Chat hostesses Cathy Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff preview the 2020 CGP Conference as Meryl and Kent share their enthusiasm and give us some behind the scenes insights into the 2020 CGP conference which is virtual for the very first time.

If you haven't already registered for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners annual conference just click on that link and fill out the form! It's going to be a great conference with lots of opportunities at an attractive price point.

We hope you enjoy this special episode!

If you need any help with your planned giving, just get in touch with us, because as we like to say -- "Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire is more than a podcast -- we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

Tia Graham, J.D, PBS Foundation: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 11:00:00 -0400

All about Charitable Gift Annuities!

In this episode, meet Tia Graham Senior Director, Individual Giving with PBS Foundation as our hostesses Cathy Sheffield and Claire Meyerhoff explore the amazing philanthropic vehicle we know and love -- the Charitable Gift Annuity.

You'll hear how CGA's fit into an overall fundraising program and learn some surprising information about CGA's donors and why they choose to support their favorite nonprofits with a CGA.

Also, Tia gives us a preview of her upcoming session at the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners annual conference.

We hope you enjoy this episode about Charitable Gift Annuities!

If you need any help with your planned giving, just get in touch with us, because as we like to say -- "Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire is more than a podcast -- we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

Planned Giving Myth Blasters! David Moses, ADL and Juan Ros, Forum Financial: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Time to BLAST the myths of Planned Giving!

In this episode, planned giving expert Cathy Sheffield and nonprofit marketing specialist Claire Meyerhoff introduce you to David Moses, Senior Director, National Estate and Gift Planning with the Anti-Defamation League and Juan Ros a financial advisor working with philanthropic families and businesses. Along with our own Cathy Sheffield, we blast the myths standing in a nonprofit's way of planned giving success.

Our first myth is "You have to be an expert to help donors make a planned gift to your nonprofit." Our experts say this is definitely a MYTH and that the main skills you need to be a successful fundraiser are people skills. From there, we blast other myths like "Planned Giving will cannibalize major and other outright giving." Listen to the episode and hear this myth (and all the others) blasted.

Also in this episode, David shares some insights into the ADL's matching gifts campaign for planned gifts, so if your organization is considering a matching campaign, you will definitely want to hear more from David.

If your organization has been slow to embrace a proactive effort to reach and engage planned giving donors, this episode of Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire is a must-listen -- and share it with your boss and your board!

We hope you enjoy this episode of Planned Giving Myth Blasters!

If you need any help with your planned giving, just get in touch with us, because as we like to say -- "Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire is more than a podcast -- we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

Dianne Belk, Girl Scouts of the USA: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 17:00:00 -0400

Planned giving expert Cathy Sheffield and nonprofit marketing specialist Claire Meyerhoff introduce you to Dianne Belk, Founding Chair of the Girl Scouts of the USA's Juliette Gordon Low Society.

In this lively charitable conversation, they talk about how Dianne, a volunteer, went from planned giving donor to spearheading an effort to ask other Girl Scouts to include the nonprofit in their estate plans. In less than ten years, more than 4,000 Girl Scouts made a planned gift and joined the Juliette Gordon Low Society.

As the Girl Scouts have such a great planned giving success story, Cathy & Claire were eager to have Dianne as a special guest and hear Dianne's insights into peer to peer outreach, the simplicity of "the ask" and elevating the planned giving donor with "exquisite stewardship." As Girl Scouts themselves, Cathy & Claire thoroughly enjoyed this conversation!

If you work in the wonderful world of planned giving, this interview is a must. As Cathy says, every nonprofit should be lucky enough to have a volunteer like Dianne.

Oh, and we learned that one of Dianne's hero's is none other than Dr. Russell James...

We hope you enjoy the interview!

As the Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire hostesses like to say "it's more than a podcast -- we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

Jackie Franey, Nature Conservancy: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 17:00:00 -0400

Planned giving expert Cathy Sheffield and nonprofit marketing specialist Claire Meyerhoff introduce you to Jackie Franey, Director of Gift Planning at The Nature Conservancy.

In this conversation they talk about how nonprofit fundraisers can focus on non-cash assets (real estate, business interest, securities, retirement plan assets, etc), as a source of funds for nonprofit organizations. Jackie and Cathy, both experienced philanthropy experts, share insights into how to talk to donors about other assets instead of going straight to the idea of a gift of cash. Listen to our interview to hear how "strategic curiosity" can lead you to wonderful discoveries about your donors.

We hope you enjoy the interview!

As the Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire hostesses like to say "it's more than a podcast -- we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

Alex Brovey, Northwell Health Foundation (interview only): Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 14:00:00 -0400

Planned Giving expert Cathy Sheffield and nonprofit marketing specialist Claire Meyerhoff introduce you to Alex Brovey, J.D, Senior Director, Gift Planning, Northwell Health Foundation. In this conversation, they discuss healthcare philanthropy during the time of Covid-19 and which areas of support planned giving donors are interested in right now. They also discuss an increased level of interest in Charitable Gift Annuities and many other topics of interest to people in the world of planned giving.

As Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire hostesses like to say, "it's more than a podcast, we're your friends in planned giving."

Visit our website CharitableChitChat.com

Alex Brovey, Northwell Health Foundation: Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 14:00:00 -0400

Interview Only/Bill Strickland, California Community Foundation

Thu, 28 May 2020 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode, planned giving expert Cathy Sheffield and nonprofit marketing specialist Claire Meyerhoff introduce you to Bill Strickland, Planned Giving Officer with the California Community Foundation.

This episode is just the interview with Bill Strickland.

You can sit back and enjoy their conversation about philanthropy in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California where actors, athletes and everyday philanthropists are making their community a better place. In this interview, Claire & Cathy ask Bill about CCF's response to Covid-19 and they take a deep dive into a hot topic -- Donor Advised Funds. Bill shares his love for philanthropy and discusses working with the many professional advisors who are helping their clients with philanthropic solutions. You can also hear Bill's stories about his original career as a professional singer and dancer, before he went to law school, worked as a trust officer for Bank of America and started his planned giving career with the Nature Conservancy.

Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire is the essential radio show for philanthropy professionals. We're more than a podcast. We're your friends in planned giving.

Learn more by visiting CharitableChitChat.com

Bill Strickland, J.D. California Community Foundation: Full Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire episode

Thu, 28 May 2020 15:00:00 -0400

Planned giving expert Cathy Sheffield and nonprofit marketing specialist Claire Meyerhoff introduce you to Bill Strickland, Planned Giving Officer with the California Community Foundation.

You can sit back and enjoy their conversation about philanthropy in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California where actors, athletes and everyday philanthropists are making their community a better place. In this interview, Claire & Cathy ask Bill about CCF's response to Covid-19 and they take a deep dive into a hot topic -- Donor Advised Funds. Bill shares his love for philanthropy and discusses working with the many professional advisors who are helping their clients with philanthropic solutions. You can also hear Bill's stories about his original career as a professional singer and dancer, before he went to law school, worked as a trust officer for Bank of America and started his planned giving career with the Nature Conservancy.

This is the full episode of Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire for May 2020 and includes two additional segments: Ask Cathy and Creative with Claire.

Ask Cathy focuses on gift acceptance policies and Creative with Claire features tips for nonprofit fundraisers just getting started with planned giving.

Learn more by visiting CharitableChitChat.com

Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire. We're more than a podcast. We're your friends in planned giving.

Creative with Claire/Getting Started in Planned Giving

Thu, 28 May 2020 14:00:00 -0400

Are you just getting started in planned giving?

In this episode of Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire, marketing specialist Claire Meyerhoff tells you how your nonprofit can get started in planned giving simply by putting some solid information on your website. She also shares the nifty Planned Giving Toolkit produced by the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles.

Learn more by visiting CharitableChitChat.com

Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire. We're more than a podcast. We're your friends in planned giving.

Thanks for listening!

Ask Cathy/Gift Acceptance Policies

Thu, 28 May 2020 14:00:00 -0400

We ask planned giving specialist Cathy Sheffield about the need for a nonprofit to have gift acceptance policies. She gets an assist from another expert, Bill Strickland, Planned Giving Officer with the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles.

Learn more by visiting CharitableCharitableChitChat.com

Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy & Claire. We're more than a podcast. We're your friends in planned giving.

May 2020

Charitable Chit Chat Coming Soon!

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:00:00 -0400

Charitable Chit Chat with Cathy and Claire is a podcast for philanthropy professionals. Coming soon! Listen to learn a little bit more...