Hello fellow Giving Institute members,

What an energizing couple of days we shared together in Chicago last month for our Winter meeting! From our meeting room’s perfect river view to the lively conversations flowing throughout, it was the kind of gathering that reminds us why our in-person GI meetings are so valuable. The AI-focused content was both timely and thought-provoking, and the meeting format – pairing presentations and panels with small-group discussions – created an excellent balance of learning and collaborative exploration. And of course, as always, at the heart of it all was the opportunity to connect, network and be in community with each other.

Our Winter meeting also gave us the opportunity to welcome several new member firms to the Giving Institute since our Summer Symposium in San Diego, many of whom were able to join us in Chicago. We are thrilled once again to welcome to the GI fold: Avid, Blair Search Partners, JF Smith Group, Kim Joyce & Associates, Schultz & Williams, Stillwater Strategy Partners and The Varga Group. The Giving Institute is even stronger with you as members, welcome!

Once again, a huge thank you to Matt Beem, Johnny Cooper, Tammy Weinman and the PEC for crafting such a terrific program, and to the many who played a role in presenting, moderating and serving on a panel.

Looking ahead, I am pleased to share that our Strategic Planning Committee, leading the development of our next 5-year GI/GUSA strategic plan, is officially underway! Under the formidable leadership of Lee Ernst, the committee held its first meeting earlier in December. I am deeply grateful to this fantastic group for stepping forward: Susannah Darrow, Laura Hutyra, Ben Miller, Chad Paris, Kate Roosevelt, Craig Shelley, Roderick Smothers and Nathan Stelter, supported by Dr. Chance. Wendy McGrady and I will also contribute in ex-officio roles as GI and GUSA Chairs. We look forward to creating meaningful opportunities for all members to participate, including through a member survey and interviews with Committee Chairs.

Planning is also progressing nicely for our March meeting, when we will enjoy some already-much-needed warmth together in Charlotte, NC on March 4-5. A big thank you to Kate Kramer for taking on the role of Meeting Chair. Stay tuned for program announcements and registration information.

And, excitingly, momentum continues to build for the 2026 Summer Symposium in Kansas City. I am thrilled that Erik Tomalis has accepted the invitation to join Janell Johnson as Co-Chair. With this dream team pairing now in place, planning will begin in earnest, including opportunities for many of you to get involved. More to come shortly!

As we approach the holiday season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each of you…whether the season brings celebration, quiet rest, a chance to recharge…or all of the above. Thank you for all you contribute to our remarkable Giving Institute community, to our non-profit clients and customers, and to the sector as a whole. I look forward to the continued momentum we will build together in the new year.

Regards,

PK