By Teri Sullivan

In the world of charitable gift planning, balance is crucial for fostering relationships that lead to meaningful current and deferred gifts.

In episode #21 of our Sharpe Insights podcast, which debuted April 28, 2026, we were joined by Michael Kenyon, president and CEO of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP).

Michael and host Grant Miller discussed the role of CGP’s national standards and their advocacy efforts to support nonprofits in a changing landscape, both of which contribute to this important balance in charitable gift planning. 

Understanding Charitable Gift Planning 

We learned from Michael that there’s a delicate balance between the art and science of successful planned giving, because it involves both technical proficiency and the ability to build trust and relationships. The science of gift planning requires a basic understanding of the technical aspects, ensuring that all transactions are executed correctly. The art lies in nurturing relationships with donors, understanding their motivations and aligning their values with the mission of the organization. 

The science aspect is straightforward: Professionals in this field must be proficient in the technicalities of gift transactions, understanding legal and financial implications, tax benefits and ensuring compliance with regulations.  

Many organizations overlook the need for continuing education in the technical aspects, leading to errors that can damage trust with donors. The CGP offers webinars and an annual conference to help gift planners build confidence when helping donors structure meaningful gifts that benefit both the charity and the donor.

The art of charitable gift planning revolves around building deep, trusting relationships with donors. This requires empathy, communication skills and an understanding of the donor’s story and motivations. A strong relationship can lead to multi-generational gifts and sustained support for the organization. 

Take the time to listen to donors, understand their passions and connect their generosity with your organization’s mission. In episode #27 of our podcast, Dr. Russell James has some excellent research about words and phrases that “work” in planned giving and can be utilized in donor meetings and in your planned giving marketing.

National Standards for Gift Planning Success 

CGP has developed a set of guidelines known as the National Standards for Gift Planning Success (NSGPS). These standards serve as best practices for organizations of all sizes, guiding them toward successful gift planning programs.  

There are 16 standards divided into three general categories:

• Support From the Top: Create policies, plans and metrics that encourage long-term investment in gift planning.
• Ability and Capacity to Execute: Deploy people and data strategically to reach the right donors.
• Donor-Centric Engagement and Management: Connect supporters to your mission and create transformational donor experiences.

In addition to a printable download of the standards, the NSGPS site includes interactive assessments in each of the three categories to help you determine where you may have challenges.

Advocacy Efforts in a Changing Landscape 

Recent nonprofit sector scrutiny has raised concerns for many organizations. The CGP is actively involved in advocacy efforts to protect the integrity of nonprofits and ensure they can operate effectively.  

Key Actions: The CGP supports the Johnson Amendment, which restricts political campaigning by nonprofits and advocates for the legal status of 501(c)(3) organizations. 

Resources for Organizations: Nonprofits can access resources through CGP’s website and become involved in coalitions addressing challenges, such as the RIFT Project

The RIFT (Release IRA Funds Timely) Project offers resources to help organizations collect beneficiary gifts from donors’ IRAs, including guidance, advice and sample letters. RIFT also advocates for change in government policies to help charities. You can join the RIFT Advocates Working Group, which meets monthly, and learn more about RIFT’s work by listening to episode #25.

CGP also educates nonprofit members at their annual conference. The 2026 conference will be held Oct. 14-16 in New Orleans. Sharpe Group team members Barlow “Elvis” Mann and Teri “Sandiego” Sullivan will be there. We hope you’ll make a point to say hello—you may even win a prize!

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Teri Sullivan is vice president of marketing for Sharpe Group and serves as co-producer of the podcast Sharpe Insights: Conversations With Your Planned Giving Experts. You can connect with Teri via email or on LinkedIn.