Charitable Gift Planners Tampa Bay upcoming events

National Conference - 2026 Charitable Gift Planners Conference (October 14, 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

2026 CGP Conference

New Orleans Marriott

555 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130, USA

October 14, 2026 – October 16, 2026

CGP Conference 2026 will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from October 14-16. Experience the unique charm of New Orleans alongside gift planning professionals and colleagues from around the country. From bequests and beignets to crawfish and charitable trusts, CGP Conference promises to be an unforgettable experience.

CGP CONFERENCE 2026

Click link above for details and registration

"From Adoption to Accountability: The Gift Planner's AI Playbook” (October 21, 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Time: 11:30am - 1pm

11:30 a.m. Networking

Noon Program and Lunch

Location: Brio Italian Grille - International Plaza

Address: 2223 N. Westshore Blvd in Tampa (‎here's a map)

"From Adoption to Accountability: The Gift Planner's AI Playbook”

In this session, we will share timely insights into how AI continues to reshape charitable gift planning – building on the strong foundation introduced at the 2025 CGP Conference presentation. Attendees will explore a clear and practical five-step framework for evaluating charitable gifts, paired with an overview of the most current research tools and technologies shaping today’s planned giving landscape.

We will highlight best practices for integrating AI into technical gift analysis, prospect research, and donor communication – showing how these tools can enhance both efficiency and strategic decision-making. Through real-world case studies, participants will see how leading organizations are successfully applying AI to strengthen donor relationships and unlock more sophisticated planning opportunities.

Designed as an interactive conversation, the presentation encourages attendees to share their own experiences and challenges with AI in planned giving. Participants will leave with concrete, actionable takeaways they can immediately apply in their professional practice to better serve clients, donors, and charitable partners.

ABOUT PAUL CASPERSENCFP®, MS, AEP® Paul has over 27 years of expertise in financial, estate, and charitable planning in his role as the Wallace Chair of Learning and Professionalism in Philanthropy at The American College of Financial Services, where he serves as Director of the Center for Philanthropy. In this capacity, he shapes the curriculum and strategic vision for the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) program, preparing the next generation of philanthropic advisors. Prior to joining The American College, Paul served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Philanthropic Advisor at the University of Florida from 2012 to 2022. During his tenure, he led a multidisciplinary gift planning team that secured $1.25 billion in deferred and outright gifts as part of the university’s historic $4 billion fundraising campaign. Additionally, as the Founder and President of Planned Giving Interactive, LLC (PGI) a software and advisory firm, Paul developed an industry-leading suite of AI-powered research and document-drafting tools for planned giving. Paul is also Vice President and advisor at Charitable Solutions, LLC, a national consulting firm that supports charities in accepting complex charitable gifts and developing charitable trusts. In 2011, Paul authored Direction Memo™: How to Write a Letter of Instructions for Your Estate Plan. His thought leadership also appears in peer-reviewed journals, including Trusts & Estates, where his articles explore topics such as testamentary CRTs, charitable gift annuities, and post-SECURE Act charitable planning strategies.

Advance reservations are required

CGP Tampa Bay Members - Free

Guests - $45.00

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ANNUAL SPONSORS:

Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Goodwill Industries - Suncoast, Inc.

SPCA Tampa Bay

TOP Jewish Foundation

USF Foundation, Office of Gift Planning

CGP Holiday Networking Social - December 2026 (December 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Dec 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for our Holiday Social as we celebrate the season with good food, great company, and plenty of holiday cheer!

Date:

Wednesday, December 16th

Time:

5pm-7pm

Location:

St. Petersburg Country Club

2000 Country Club Way South

St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Come ready to relax, connect, and celebrate with friends and colleagues. We hope to see you there!

Please RSVP by December 13.

"Deeds of Goodwill: Turning Real Property into Philanthropy Through Probate Avoidance" with John Dickhaus (February 10, 2027)

Wed, 10 Feb 2027 16:30:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2027

Time: 11:30am - 1pm

11:30 a.m. Networking

Noon Program and Lunch

Location: Brio Italian Grille - International Plaza

Address: 2223 N. Westshore Blvd in Tampa (‎here's a map)

"Deeds of Goodwill: Turning Real Property into Philanthropy Through Probate Avoidance"

This presentation explores how probate‑avoidance tools—such as enhanced life estate deeds and transfer‑on‑death deeds—can be intentionally structured to create significant charitable impact. Participants will learn how these commonly used estate planning techniques can align donor goals with philanthropic outcomes while preserving lifetime control and flexibility. The session will highlight how real estate assets can pass efficiently outside of probate and still fulfill charitable intentions at death. Special emphasis will be placed on best practices for identifying, accepting, and administering these gifts to minimize risk and maximize value for your charitable institution. Attendees will gain insight into coordination with donors, advisors, and institutional stakeholders throughout the process. The presentation is designed to equip development professionals and advisors with practical guidance for turning probate‑avoidance strategies into successful and well‑managed charitable gifts.

John Dickhaus - Conference Faculty

Juris Doctor

Director of Development

University of Florida Foundation

John Dickhaus serves as Director of Development for Gift Planning, where he works closely with donors to align their philanthropic goals with long‑term charitable impact. With a particular focus on legacy and planned giving, John partners with individuals and families to design thoughtful strategies that support institutions and causes meaningful to them while advancing sound financial and estate planning objectives. At the University of Florida, John collaborates extensively with UF's arts based units, a role that uniquely blends his professional expertise with his personal passion for the arts. He values the opportunity to help donors invest in the good, true, and beautiful which are unlocked through the arts.

Advance reservations are required

CGP Tampa Bay Members - Free

Guests - $45.00

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ANNUAL SPONSORS:

Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Tampa General Hospital

SPCA Tampa Bay

TOP Jewish Foundation

USF Foundation, Office of Gift Planning

“Trust, Transparency, and Technology: Navigating the Planned Giving Journey with Boomers" with Nathan Stelter (April 14, 2027)

Wed, 14 Apr 2027 15:30:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2027

Time: 11:30am - 1pm

11:30 a.m. Networking

Noon Program and Lunch

Location: Brio Italian Grille - International Plaza

Address: 2223 N. Westshore Blvd in Tampa (‎here's a map)

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“Trust, Transparency, and Technology: Navigating the Planned Giving Journey with Boomers”

In today’s complex donor landscape, understanding the philanthropic psychology of Baby Boomers is key to building lasting relationships and securing planned giving commitments. Both leading and lagging Boomers have distinct preferences, yet they share one common desire: to ensure their contributions make a meaningful, transparent impact. As these donors navigate the giving journey, the importance of trust and transparency cannot be overstated. They want to know exactly how their funds will be used, and they seek clarity in how their values align with your mission.

While Boomers are deeply engaged in philanthropy, they are also bombarded with marketing messages. This presentation will explore how nonprofits can cut through the noise and effectively reach potential planned giving donors. By understanding the planned giving donor journey, organizations can craft messages and strategies that resonate deeply and inspire action.

Technology plays a pivotal role in modernizing donor engagement, allowing nonprofits to provide personalized communication and streamline their outreach efforts. We’ll dive into how you can leverage technology to build trust, enhance transparency, and ultimately guide donors along their planned giving path, from first interest to committed support. Whether through data analysis or streamlined communication, technology can help build trust and foster long-term loyalty.

In this presentation, you will learn:
• Engage Donors Using Philanthropic Psychology: Understand the emotional and psychological factors that drive planned giving decisions and how to tap into these motivations at different stages of the donor journey.
• Cut Through Marketing Clutter: Discover how to effectively communicate your message and capture the attention of Boomers amidst the overwhelming noise of today's fundraising campaigns.
• Build Trust with Transparency and Technology: Learn how technology can foster trust through personalized interactions and demonstrate measurable impact, leading to stronger, long-term donor relationships.
• Optimize the Donor Journey: Understand how to map out and guide donors through the planned giving process, ensuring they feel informed, confident, and compelled to raise their hands.

By embracing both the psychology of philanthropy and modern technologies, nonprofits can build more authentic connections, earn donor trust, and inspire Boomers to make planned giving commitments that create lasting impact.

Nathan Stelter, President

The Stelter Company

Nathan Stelter is the president of The Stelter Company, a leading source for gift planning marketing solutions for the nonprofit community. The Stelter Company, which was founded in 1962, currently partners with more than 1,200 organizations nationally with a staff of over 95 individuals.

Over Nathan’s 25-year career in planned giving, he’s been fortunate to speak at over 200 national and regional industry meetings on gift planning marketing, trends and donor research. He’s been published & quoted in numerous trade publications including The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Planned Giving Today, amongst others, and currently authors the popular Stelter Insights blog.

Nathan is past Board Chair (2023) for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP), a past board member of the National Capital Gift Planning Council (Washington, DC), current board member for the Giving Institute, current member of CGP’s Leadership Institute, as well as former co-chair of CGP’s National Standards for Gift Planning Success (NSGPS) task force.

Nathan is a two-time graduate of the University of Iowa where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and an Executive MBA.

Advance reservations are required

CGP Tampa Bay Members - Free

Guests - $45.00

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ANNUAL SPONSORS:

Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Tampa General Hospital

SPCA Tampa Bay

TOP Jewish Foundation

USF Foundation, Office of Gift Planning

"Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Donors: Identifying Issues & Applying Best Practices" with Tony Pomonis (May 12, 2027)

Wed, 12 May 2027 15:30:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2027

Time: 11:30am - 1pm

11:30 a.m. Networking

Noon Program and Lunch

Location: Brio Italian Grille - International Plaza

Address: 2223 N. Westshore Blvd in Tampa (‎here's a map)

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"Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Donors: Identifying Issues & Applying Best Practices"

As fundraising professionals, we are on the precipice of the largest transfer of wealth in human history. While this provides an unprecedented opportunity for philanthropic giving, it also comes with increasing challenges for fundraisers, planned giving officers, professional advisors, and other staff regularly engaging with our donor population. Cognitive impairment in elderly donors is on the rise, often resulting in diagnoses of dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, which can create difficult ethical and legal issues for our professionals when discussing charitable gifts. Are you prepared for this inevitable scenario? Our session will teach attendees about the cognitive impairment in donor populations, how to identify the top signs, and applicable best practices on how best to handle these situations through an ethical and legal lens. Participants in our session will leave understanding what next steps to take when they, or their colleagues, are faced with the issue of cognitive impairment in an elderly donor.

Tony Pomonis, CFRE

Certified Fund Raising Executive

As an experienced entrepreneur and Certified Fund Raising Executive, Anthony has spent the last two-plus decades helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals. He has served as a major gift officer at the University of Illinois, the University of Illinois Foundation, and University of Central Florida, where he is currently the AVP of Transformational Giving.

Anthony graduated with his B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2002, and began a 15-year journey as an entrepreneur, opening and running no fewer than 5 regional restaurants. He served on the Regional Executive Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the executive board of his local Greek Orthodox Church, and the Kirby Medical Foundation Board. He currently sits on the Orthodox Christian Fellowship National Board and is an at-large board member for the Charitable Gift Planners of Central Florida.

Advance reservations are required

CGP Tampa Bay Members - Free

Guests - $45.00

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ANNUAL SPONSORS:

Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Tampa General Hospital

SPCA Tampa Bay

TOP Jewish Foundation

USF Foundation, Office of Gift Planning

“21 Simple Planned Giving Marketing Steps That Make Your Phone Ring" with Viken Mikaelian (September 08, 2027)

Wed, 08 Sep 2027 15:30:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2027

Time: 11:30am - 1pm

11:30 a.m. Networking

Noon Program and Lunch

Location: Brio Italian Grille - International Plaza

Address: 2223 N. Westshore Blvd in Tampa (‎here's a map)

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“21 Simple Planned Giving Marketing Steps That Make Your Phone Ring”

Most planned giving marketing does not fail because of budget. It fails because it is invisible, vague, inconsistent, or never gives the donor a reason to respond.

The good news is that many of the steps that generate donor inquiries, bequest notifications, and meaningful conversations are surprisingly simple. Some cost very little. Many cost nothing.

In this practical, example-driven session, Viken Mikaelian presents 21 steps organizations can begin using immediately, whether they are large national charities or one-person development offices with no dedicated planned giving budget.

Using real-world examples, Viken will show what nonprofits have tried, what worked, what failed, and why. Attendees will learn:

How to put a planned giving message in front of the donors most likely to act
Which free and low-cost tools can do much of the marketing work
What language encourages donors to call, respond, or request information
Which words and approaches quietly discourage donor engagement
How to avoid the common mistakes that undermine results, even at well-funded organizations
How professional advisors and nonprofits can work together so charitable intentions become completed gifts

Attendees will leave with a practical list of actions they can put to work right away, without waiting for a larger staff, a larger budget, or another strategic planning retreat.

Viken Mikaelian, CEO

PlannedGiving.com

Viken Mikaelian is the founder and CEO of PlannedGiving.com, a national planned giving marketing firm he has led since 1998. The firm has served more than 15,000 nonprofit organizations and today works with approximately 500 active nonprofit clients.

Viken is also the publisher of GIVING Magazine and the owner of Philanthropy.org, a growing platform for news, education, and thought leadership across the philanthropic sector.

Over nearly three decades in the field, Viken has spoken at more than 500 conferences and professional events and written more than 1,500 articles on planned giving, fundraising, and philanthropy. He is known for a plain-spoken, practical approach, focused on strategies that produce completed gifts rather than activities that merely look impressive in a report.

Viken is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and lives in the Tampa Bay area.

Advance reservations are required

CGP Tampa Bay Members - Free

Guests - $45.00

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ANNUAL SPONSORS:

Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Tampa General Hospital

SPCA Tampa Bay

TOP Jewish Foundation

USF Foundation, Office of Gift Planning