FW: Local Gift Planning Program

Award-Winning Author to Share Findings of Fundraising Book on Saturday at Utica Public Library

Brian M. Sagrestano, JD, CFRE, will be presenting the findings and signing his award-winning book, The Philanthropic Planning Companion: The Fundraisers’ and Professional Advisors’ Guide to Charitable Gift Planning (Wiley 2012) on Saturday, March 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Utica Public Library, 303 Genesee Street, Utica, NY.

The book, called “outstanding” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Research Council, is a comprehensive guide to the emerging model of philanthropic planning that doesn’t get caught up in the overly technical aspects of trust, wills and legal documents, while mixing in academic research to enhance practical strategies and tactics for fundraisers from all subsectors and causes.

The book was recently awarded the 2013 AFP/Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy. Each year, the AFP Research Council awards the Skystone Partners Prize for Research to the author or authors of a book that contributes substantially to the knowledge and understanding of fundraising or philanthropic behavior.

The Research Prize Judging Committee lauded the Companion, saying it presents a wide range of tactical suggestions for fundraisers within an integrated framework that provides theoretical depth.  The committee stated that “the book’s contents are extensive… [and] the organization makes its resources immediately accessible for the busy fundraising professional.”

The book was co-authored by Robert E. Wahlers, MS, CFRE, senior director of development and gift planned at Meridian Health Affiliated Foundations in Neptune, NJ. He also serves on the Adjunct Faculty for the Masters of Fundraising Management Program at Columbia University in New York City. The two have been long-time friends and colleagues with a combined 40 years of fundraising experience. In many ways, The Philanthropic Planning Companion is the culmination of the experience and knowledge they have gained thus far in their careers.

“We wanted to write a book that applied philanthropic planning concepts to all prospects—from the most sophisticated, high-net worth donor to the first-time contributor—but that avoided the technical and complicated jargon typically found in books about charitable gift planning so that it would be accessible to both fundraisers and professional advisors,” says Brian. “Even though this book is about a new approach to philanthropy, it needed to remain simple and readable.”

“Receiving the prize is a wonderful recognition of hard work,” says Robert. “To be selected out of all of the books written about fundraising in 2012 is humbling for both of us and a tremendous honor.”

Brian is the Founder and CEO of Gift Planning Development, a gift planning consulting firm providing services around the world. Prior to forming the firm in 2007, he led the gift planning efforts for the University of Pennsylvania, Middlebury College and Meridian Health Affiliated Foundations, following major gift and gift planning positions at Clarkson University and Hamilton College. The gift planning programs under Brian’s direction raised over $400 million in complex outright gifts, life-income gifts and realized estate gifts during his tenure. Regional clients of the firm include The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc., Mohawk Valley Community College, Friends of Bassett, New York State Historical Association, Farmers Museum, Le Moyne College and Finger Lakes Community College. He can be reached at (315) 292-1335 or brian@giftplanningdevelopment.com. To learn more about the firm, visit www.giftplanningdevelopment.com.