Giving Institute Colleagues:

As I write this letter we are past Memorial Day weekend and on our way to a hopefully glorious summer. Much is happening at the Giving Institute and I want to share just a few highlights:

1. As you may know, my term as GI Chair ends on July 19 when we will hold our annual meeting to elect new officers. I want to thank you all for the great support and dynamic work you have shown during my tenure. I also want to thank Erin Berggren and the whole MCI team. It has been fun. Brenda Asare is slated to succeed me as Chair and I know Brenda will do a great job as Chair. Ted Grossnickle, as Immediate Past Chair of GI, is leading the nominating committee that will present a new slate of officers for GI. Nominating Committee members include Jim Bush, Cedric Richner, Aly Sterling, Dana Textoris and Ryan Woroniecki. In addition to forming the new slate of officers, the committee is also making recommendations on how we might make the nominating process more transparent in the future. The new slate will be included in the board packet for the July 19 board and annual meeting. Stay tuned.
2. As noted by Giving USA Foundation Chair Josh Birkholz in recent communications, Giving USA research results for 2022 will be released June 20. There is a member briefing taking place on June 8. If you haven’t yet registered for the briefing please consider doing so. The briefing, presented jointly by G-USA and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, is a highly informative and interactive event. I know I represent many when I say this event has improved in content and helpfulness significantly in the past several year. The briefing will help you prepare for any events your firm may be holding on or near release date. This briefing is available to any employee of any Giving Institute firm. The only requirement is that attendees honor the embargo of all research results until the release date of June 20. There are so many volunteers with G-USA who help shape this research and present it effectively in collaboration with our colleagues at Lilly. Don’t miss out.
3. Summer Symposium, to be held in Indianapolis July 19-21, is shaping up to be a truly great event. Co-Chairs Lee Ernst and Ryan Woroniecki and the SS Committee have been working nonstop to line up outstanding program topics and presenters and a great slate of social events. Registration is running well ahead of past years so far. There is still time to register. When you do register, please be in touch with MCI staff for help on hotel rooms as the block of rooms at the host hotel has been sold out. You can still stay at the Conrad Hilton (host hotel), but at a higher rate. We have other options for you. The volunteer and staff involvement in planning the SS is truly remarkable. Between volunteers and staff we have over 30 people working on this event. In addition to Lee and Ryan, here are others helping to make your SS experience outstanding: Lola Banjo, Erin Berggren, Steve Beshuk, Jon Biedermann, Sterrin Bird, Gloria Chance, Nathan Chappell, Sarah Clough, Gail Dancy Heim, Missy Gale, Brian Gawor, Paula Goedde, Ben Golding, Gina Haze, Laura Hutyra, Scott Lange, Dawn Lego, Douglas London, Pam Maroulis, Ben Miller, Brenna Miller, Chad Paris, Katie Rozycki, Tim Sarrantonio, Sarah Sebastian, Jill Skene, Deb Taft, Sharon Tiknis, Erik Tomalis, Steve Waiksnoris and Meg Walter. WOW! (My apologies if I left anyone out or misspelled any names).

I hope to see you in Indianapolis. Best.