Wed, Sep 13
|Spokane
INWPGC September Meeting
Inspiring Planned Gifts Five years ago, EWU launched its first comprehensive planned giving campaign. Hear from Laura and Courtney about how they set specific goals and developed strategies. They will share their wins and challenges from developing the legacy giving program.
Time & Location
Sep 13, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Spokane, 2316 W 1st Ave, Spokane, WA 99201, USA
About the Event
Five years ago, Eastern Washington University launched its first comprehensive campaign. Though still in the quiet phase, the campaign has evolved EWU’s fundraising practice overall, amplifying planned giving as a vital piece of its development strategies. Courtney and Laura will share specific goals, strategies, wins, and challenges encountered in our journey to best practice.
Please be ready to share stories of your wins, challenges, and innovations with the group.
About our speakers:
Courtney Susemiehl [pronounced SOOS-mel], Senior Director of Gift Planning
With over 30 years of experience in development and marketing with community-based non-profit organizations in Spokane, Courtney joined the higher education sector in 2017 as a major gifts officer for Eastern Washington University—her alma mater. Courtney has led the planned giving program at Eastern for the past three years. As senior director of gift planning, she is responsible for team training, consultation, and marketing for the gift planning program. She also maintains a portfolio of high-net-worth donors at various stages of development. She is passionate about helping donors make a greater philanthropic impact through gift planning. In her personal time, Courtney enjoys getting outside for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing adventures.
Laura Thayer, Associate Vice President of Philanthropy, EWU
After a 30-year museum career, I came to higher education to focus on fundraising. I am passionate about Eastern’s mission to boost young people, especially first-in-family college students, into their college and professional careers. Working with Eastern’s generous alumni and donors who want to pay forward the success they attribute to their Eastern education is a privilege. When I’m not at work, I enjoy making encaustic and mixed-media paintings inspired by our beautiful region.