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Endowment workshop for nonprofits

The Sonoma Valley Fund, an affiliate of Community Foundation Sonoma County, announced that as a part of its Endow Sonoma Valley Fund activities, a workshop will be held for all Valley nonprofits interested in developing a legacy giving program for their organizations.

The workshop will be held at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. All Valley nonprofit board members, directors, staff and volunteers are invited to attend.

The workshop will feature Tom Horton, director of legacy giving at Guide Dogs for the Blind, an international philanthropic organization with one of the most successful legacy giving programs in the country. Nancy Gardner, former CEO of Guide Dogs and Sonoma Valley resident said, “Each month Guide Dogs receives one or two legacy gifts. These gifts make it possible for them to continue providing services for their student and dog teams, through good economic times and bad. I have always had the greatest respect for Tom Horton’s mastery of legacy giving.” Horton will share some of the strategies this nonprofit has employed to develop a robust and thriving legacy giving program.

In addition, Celia Bolam, director of gift planning with the Community Foundation Sonoma County, will give a general overview of the steps involved with establishing a legacy-giving program.

Finally, representatives from four Valley nonprofits with successful legacy giving programs will share what has worked for, and what has not. Kathy Witkowicki (Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance), Kris Van Giesen (Hanna Boys Center), Dave Pier (Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley) and Kate Eilersten (Sonoma Valley Museum of Art) have been at the forefront when it comes to developing legacy giving programs in the Valley. 

“This will be an incredible opportunity for those who operate and volunteer at our nonprofit organizations to learn more about how to develop and manage successful legacy giving programs,” said Barbara Young, president of Sonoma Valley Fund. Everyone is welcome to join the workshop. To sign-up, contact Rachel Cusick at rachelcusick@me.com.

Additional information on all of the “Endow Sonoma Valley Month” events and the importance of planned giving to the future economic vitality and overall quality of life for Sonoma Valley is available at www.sonomavalleyfund.org.