Annual Founders Award

The Founders' Award, a "life-time achievement" recognition, is intended to acknowledge and celebrate a member of the Saint Louis Planned Giving Council (SLPGC) who, by their leadership in the promotion and support of planned giving reflects the spirit of the "founders" who organized monthly meetings of planned giving professionals in the mid-70's.

Founders' Award recipients are individuals who have made a positive impact in our community by helping planned giving grow either through the model of their organization's programs, through Leave a Legacy® or as a leader in the planned giving profession. SLPGC members, including both for-profit and non-profit gift planners, may be considered for the Founders' Award. 

The Saint Louis Planned Giving Council, in partnership with the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, has announced the inaugural Saint Louis Legacy Awards to be presented on June 26, 2008.

Click here to nominate an individual for the 2008 Founders' Award!

Past Recipients:
2003
John Thompson, retired as Director of Planned Giving from Principia College and part of the original planned giving professionals group in the '70s.

2004
Lawrence ("Larry") Katzenstein, attorney and active member of the SLPGC Board of Directors as well as respected speaker and writer on planned giving. Also part of the original planned giving professionals in the '70s.

2005
Mark Roock owns a fund development consulting firm and is a previous president of SLPGC and also served in several positions on the SLPGC Board of Directors.

2006
Harold Melser is the Associate Vice President of Development for the Saint Louis Science Center and is on the SLPGC Board, serving as the Awards Committee Chair.

2007
Ken Nickless is the Director of Gift Planning for Webster University and has served in several capacities on the Saint Louis Planned Giving Council Board and Leave a Legacy Committee.