My involvement with the American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA) has always been a rewarding part of my career, but I couldn’t be more proud of the full suite of activities the ACGA has undertaken this fall, specifically: 

• The ACGA launched #MemberMonday in July, a weekly social media spotlight on our members that mean so much to our organization and the planned giving community. We have celebrated nearly 20 individual member organizations and look forward to shining a bright light on all our members as we continue the series. Follow ACGA on LinkedIn now to see which member will be highlighted next! 

• The ACGA Board of Directors welcomed three new members, expanding on the already impressive group of professionals shaping and supporting the future success of our critical work. 

Andrew Fussner, Esq., National Vice President of Estate Settlement for the American Heart Association
Julie Hallowell, Director of Gift Planning and Endowment for WGBH Educational Foundation 
Aaron Levinson, Vice President of Planned Giving for Los Angeles Jewish Health

• We hosted two educational webinars which were FREE for all ACGA members.  Our free-for-members webinars have been a very popular new addition to our member benefits, with our most recent webinar filling up within a week of announcement to members. Missed a webinar? Members can access past webinar recordings complimentary at your leisure.

Worthy of the Gift: Preparing Your Nonprofit for the Next Level of Donor Engagement and Transformational Giving Bryan Taylor, CFA – CEO and CIO, Cornerstone Management 

Phil Purcell – Director of Planned Giving for The Salvation Army Central Territory
Nicole Medeiros – Client Relationship Team Lead, Planned Giving for BNY Wealth
Chris Thill – Director of Donor Services for The Salvation Army Central Territory

• Our members matter, which is why we hosted an education survey in October asking for feedback on what you would like to see ACGA offer in the future to support your career development. We had nearly 200 surveys completed and are currently analyzing the information gathered to bring the best opportunities to light for our members. Stay tuned as we curate our future programing.

• At the ACGA’s Board meeting on October 21, the ACGA Board confirmed that suggested charitable gift annuity rates will not change at this time. Even with the recent interest rate reduction in September, such actions will not force an imminent change in ACGA’s published schedules given the rate model’s built-in assumptions and smoothing mechanisms and reliance on the 10-year treasury. This proven approach helps alleviate volatility in the published rates and provides greater confidence and clarity to both charities issuing gift annuities and their donors.
  
  While the ACGA continues to believe that the current Suggested Rates are appropriate given existing market conditions, ACGA member organizations and their donors can rest assured that the ACGA closely monitors market conditions and will change rates as necessary to provide Suggested Maximum Payout Rates that are attractive to both the annuitant and the issuing charity. Current rates, effective January 1, 2024.

As you can see, the ACGA is busy supporting you, your organization, and your donors. Thank you for your work in the promotion of charitable gift annuities – together we are making a difference!