2020 Practical Planned Giving Conference (PPGC)

eMarketer of the Year Award

Elizabeth Ayers

Executive Director of Gift Planning, UNC Chapel Hill

Congratulations to Elizabeth Ayers who received the coveted 2020 Emarketer of the Year Award.

“Crescendo has been a valued partner to the UNC Gift Planning Program for many years. Since we announced For All Kind: the Campaign for Carolina three years ago we began to rely on the GiftLegacy CresManager for our entire marketing program. The CresPrint platform provided the materials for our e-blasts and mailers, particularly the extended postcard format. We have also successfully used Crescendo's GiftLegacy platform for our Charles Gerrard Legacy Society for monthly e-notes with a successful open rate of 85%! You partnered with us from soup to nuts i.e. from wording, design, mailing, e-blasts, tracking open rates and leads. All marketing and stewardship pieces brought prospects back to our beautifully designed Crescendo website. I don't know how our marketing program could be this successful without this partnership. The e-marketing platform serves an integral and necessary role in our gift planning industry. Thank you Crescendo.”

Note: Elizabeth and her team have used Crescendo's GiftLegacy tools and services since 2018 and have raised an average of over $150 Million per year in gifts!

Best GiftLegacy Website Award

The Best GiftLegacy Website Award was presented to The Lensic Performing Arts Center. Their gift planning website utilizes shapes and line work to create a modern design with a sense of abstract creativity. Strong photography sets an engaging scene for their unique content. Congratulations also to Viterbo University and CDC Foundation who received Honorable Mention in the website category.

Best GiftLegacy Mission Video Award

The Best GiftLegacy Mission Video Award was awarded to United Way of Santa Barbara County. Their video features a playful design with a great mosaic of live footage and still photography that speaks to their work with children. Honorable mention was given to Carmel Catholic High School and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for their creative mission videos.

GiftLeader Award

Glenn Pittsford

Vice President for Gift Planning, Texas A&M Foundation

Glenn Pittsford has received the 2020 GiftLeader Award for his outstanding leadership in Philanthropy. Glenn is an inspiring leader, donor-centered and caring gift planner, a Certified Gift Planning Associate (CGPA) and team leader for a $1 billion planned gifts campaign.

“Over $1.5 billion over the past 20 years! Many of these givers have been inspired by the planned gifting marketing they have received from us over the years. That marketing is based on the Crescendo donor-friendly marketing and emarketing philosophy and materials. We give Crescendo much credit for the success we have enjoyed.”

Crescendo Innovations 2020

In the midst of COVID-19, you need to build your organization into a strong tower. First, you need to make persuasive and winsome presentations and proposals to your major donors. Second, you should implement an effective multichannel marketing program to increase loyal donor numbers. Your major and loyal donors are the key to success in 2020. A strong tower organization will have specific programs in place to reach both groups. Watch our video to learn about our 2020 innovations.