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Council Newsletter - February 2026
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I’m honored to serve as your 2026 President of Charitable Gift Planners of Kentuckiana and to support this vibrant community of fundraising professionals, trusted advisors, and partners dedicated to advancing charitable gift planning across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Whether you’re new to the field or a longtime practitioner, I’m glad you’re part of CGPK.
Charitable gift planning is a vital part of philanthropy—helping donors align their values with meaningful impact while supporting the long-term sustainability of the organizations they care about most. At CGPK, we are committed to creating opportunities for learning, connection, and professional growth through high-quality educational programming and meaningful relationship-building.
As we look ahead, I’m especially excited about our upcoming March and April programs, which will continue to offer practical insights, professional development, and opportunities to connect with peers across disciplines. We’re also thrilled to share that this year we are adding a full day prior to our Annual Gift Planning Conference dedicated to Planned Giving 101, designed to welcome those new to gift planning and serve as a valuable refresher for seasoned professionals. This addition reflects our commitment to education at every stage of a gift planner’s journey.
We are proud to have been recognized as the 2023 Council of the Year, an honor that reflects the passion, leadership, and dedication of our members. That momentum continues to guide us as we move through 2026 with energy and purpose.
A quote that resonates deeply with me is: “Legacy is not what we leave behind, but what we set in motion.” This belief is at the heart of gift planning. Every conversation we steward and every relationship we nurture has the potential to spark generosity that shapes the future in lasting ways. Together, we help donors create legacies that strengthen the Kentuckiana community for generations to come.
Thank you for the important work you do and for being part of CGPK. I look forward to connecting with you this spring and seeing you at our programs throughout the year.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Lauren Alderman, Nativity Academy at St. Boniface
Danielle Archer, Olmsted Parks Conservancy
Nicole Breyette, Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
Angela Champion Sprowl, University of Louisville
Dion Guest, University of Kentucky
Kim Johnson, Wellspring
Drew Hayden Keelin, The Healing Place
Aili Whalen, Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies
Laura Wilson, Ivy Tech Community College
COUNCIL UPDATES
We’re proud to introduce the 2026 Board of Directors of Charitable Gift Planners of Kentuckiana. This dedicated group of leaders brings deep expertise and a shared commitment to advancing charitable gift planning throughout our region. We’re grateful for their service and vision in strengthening our professional community.
Make plans to join us for the Annual Gift Planning Conference on June 2nd & 3rd at Goodwill Opportunity Center in Louisville, KY. This year's expanded conference will include a Planned Giving 101 Bootcamp session and a networking reception. Sponsorship opportunities available.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for an important panel discussion where we will explore key issues such as capacity, undue influence, family dynamics, and fiduciary responsibility while gaining practical insights to serve aging donors with integrity and confidence. REGISTER HERE
Invite a colleague and join us for coffee and networking with other gift planning professionals. FREE to attend, but please RSVP.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
January's program "What You Need to Know About Tax Law Changes and Emerging Trends” featured Steven Beck with Cerity Partners discussing the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) on our organizations and donors. Steven also shared projected giving trends for 2026, as well as a helpful reference sheet outlining the 2026 Annual Limits.
Thank you again to CGPK member Kerri Cokeley, MBA, CFRE, for serving as our local expert during February's Member Bonus Webinar on stewardship. Slides and other resources from the webinar are available below.
Be sure to join us for the next Member Bonus webinar in July!
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Does the timing of the first RMD for a 73-year-old matter?
A question from a client came up about a donor who was turning 73 in the calendar year using their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to fund a charitable gift. Would a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) taken in the year the donor turns 73 but before the donor’s actual 73rd birthday count toward the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for that year? For instance, can a donor turning 73 on December 31st establish a QCD charitable gift annuity (CGA) on December 1st and still have it count toward their RMD?
ADVOCACY UPDATE
CGP hosts a series of advocacy updates throughout the year. These bi-monthly sessions are scheduled for Thursdays at 2 p.m. ET and are free to anyone who registers.
The next Advocacy Update is scheduled for March 19. Watch past Advocacy Update recordings and register for upcoming meetings HERE.
NOTES FROM NATIONAL
"Dead Giveaway" uncovers the stories behind the people who helped transform generosity into lasting legacies. Each episode will explore the world of gift planning through professional journeys, personal stories and candid interviews with professionals across the field.
Every relationship with a donor is unique. Those relationships are supported by an infrastructure of plans, policies, resources and values that emphasize lifetime giving and not just the annual bottom line. NSGPS helps organizations build that infrastructure. LEARN MORE HERE.
LOCAL JOBS BOARD
Got A Job Opening – We Can Post It For You!
Reminder that the CGPK Local Jobs Board is now up and running.
Posting is free for members and $25 for non-members. Anyone wanting to share an opening in their organization must submit a job summary, salary range, and application instructions. Check it out here.
