We don’t automatically know how to live our truths. It takes careful craftsmanship to bring truth into the material world.  Gloria Karpinski

I thought I would make a good sales person until I met sales reps who described fast-talking appointments to meet a quota, get a commission, and repeat the process over and over to meet a higher quota each time. I knew it wouldn’t be enough for me.

At United Way, I was assigned to work with a group of business leaders on a new nonprofit concept in blueprint stages, a governor’s prototype to help working parents. I designed and implemented the first information-based service in North Carolina to educate parents on choosing quality child care. Over 10,000 phone calls were received the first year, and this was before computers. Three decades later, the nonprofit still serves working families, having evolved from a shared vision on a flip chart.

In development at Roanoke College in Virginia, followed by Davidson College, the Mint Museum of Art, and UNC Charlotte – all contributed to my experience in endowment, capital, and comprehensive campaign opportunities. The concentration of my work was major donor cultivation and solicitation – I traveled a lot and enjoyed cultivating relationships with people who were inspired to invest in opportunities to help others. The power of shared vision was a consistent inspiration to me as I worked with generous donors to create meaningful impact in their communities.

At the art museum and again at the university, I launched the first planned giving programs, both resulting in successful on-going initiatives. Maximizing resources was, and remains, a creative necessity.  Donors who include nonprofits in their estate plans are truly giving from the heart. In so doing, they become stakeholders in an enduring vision.

My fascination with why people do what they do only increased as I listened to donors talk about the meaning behind their generosity. Over the years, I listened as donors described their visions, their reflections on life, their reasons for supporting programs and services and I saw the tangible results of their combined energies: libraries, gardens and meditation centers, endowments for adults with disabilities, exploratory programs for young adults, conserved and protected lands with clean water, art exhibits, end-of-life caring homes, training and education, improved healthcare, animal sanctuaries, think tanks, and more.

I saw donors’ eyes flash brighter and smiles of compassion when they handed over a check or met a scholarship recipient. I’ve seen tears when a gift recipient says thank you to their benefactor. I’ve seen grieved faces soften when a loved one’s memory lives on by helping others.I’ve seen friendships forged and lives given new meaning – from generosity and shared visions.

Most importantly, I appreciate that the potential of a focused, energetic, and creative collective of like-minded people is unlimited.  No economy can change that. We are a powerful, networked human force with the dreams and capacity to overcome problems and we are stimulated by the challenges. As partners in nonprofit systems, all we need is the vision. We’ll build the engines.

Continuing Education & Professional training:

• The College of William & Mary National Planned Giving Institute
• The R & R Newkirk Intensive
• National and state conferences
• Collaboration with bright, creative, and optimistic partners.

I am a former president and current member of the North Carolina Planned Giving Council and a member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (formerly the National Committee of Planned Giving). I served on the steering committee of Leave a Legacy in Charlotte.

I am also on the national editorial board of consultants of Planned Giving Mentor and am published in the national newsletter, Planned Giving Today.  

A meditation practice and commitment to personal development supports my life-work with people and organizations who are trying to build bridges from where they are to where they want to be, whether as individuals, or as collaborative partners in nonprofit systems. 
My passion lies in empowering these creative groups with tools and insights. The wealth of potential is unbelievable. The possibilities are incredible.

I am based in the Charlotte-Lake Norman area of North Carolina.

Jean is recipient of the Women of Achievement Award in recognition for Leadership in Public Service to the state of North Carolina by the Integral Science Institute. (The Integral Science Institute is a nonprofit research and educational center focusing on great change in civilization.)

Contact Jean