Conversation & Coffee - Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Toms to Transformational Gifts: A Case Study in Managing a Transformational Major Donor with Care, Strategy, and Integrity
November 18th, 2026, 8:30 am - 10:00 am
Greater Cincinnati Foundation Directions
Register by November 17th, 2026
FREE
TOPIC – Toms to Transformational Gifts: A Case Study in Managing a Transformational Major Donor with Care, Strategy, and Integrity
This presentation explores a real-world, multi-year case study demonstrating the importance of respectful, donor-centered relationship management with ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Attendees will learn strategies for building trust, navigating anonymity, working effectively with donor representatives, and stewarding transformational gifts through changing priorities.
Outline: Through a relationship where seemingly small missteps could have jeopardized significant support, this session highlights how trust, transparency, and personalized stewardship can strengthen donor relationships and inspire continued investment.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Respect and protect donor anonymity and communication preferences.
- Work effectively with donor-appointed representatives.
- Use thoughtful stewardship to deepen engagement and inspire future giving.
- Navigate leadership transitions and changing institutional priorities.
- Structure gift agreements carefully to minimize future complications.
- Create meaningful, personalized stewardship while honoring donor privacy.
PRESENTER:
Andrew Baker serves as Senior Director of Development for the University of Cincinnati’s Regional Campuses, leading philanthropic strategy and donor engagement in support of UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont colleges. As a member of the UC Foundation team, he works with alumni, individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners to advance priorities that expand student opportunity and strengthen the university’s impact throughout the region.
His work has helped secure significant philanthropic investment in scholarships, student success initiatives, academic and career support, healthcare and workforce programs, facilities, and capital projects. Andrew is particularly passionate about connecting donors with opportunities that remove barriers to education, strengthen pathways from college to career, and create lasting impact for students and their communities.
Andrew brings broad experience in major and individual giving, corporate and foundation relations, sponsorship, grant development, planned giving, and nonprofit leadership. He earned his MBA and Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the University of Cincinnati, where his studies focused on nonprofit management. He also holds a Master of Arts in Music Performance from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree in music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
In addition to his career in philanthropy, Andrew has maintained a professional performing career for more than 30 years as a trumpet and tuba player, bringing a lifelong connection to music and the arts to his work as a nonprofit and community leader.
Andrew lives in Maineville, Ohio, with his family.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
TIME:8:30 AM Coffee & Conversation; 9:00 AM Presentation, followed by Q&A
WHO: GCPGC members and guests
Cost: Free for all attendees, thanks to our sponsor, The Fifth Third Foundation.
LOCATION: Greater Cincinnati Foundation, 720 E. Pete Rose Way, Suite 120, Cincinnati, OH 45202
PARKING:
Paid parking is available in the Tri-State Parking East Lot behind the building at the corner of Eggleston Avenue and Pete Rose Way (a map will be sent in event reminder email the day prior to the meeting).
To register your vehicle:
- Scan the QR code on the A-frame sign in the East Lot.
- Select Daily Parking and leave the quantity set to 1 (this represents day, not hour).
- Enter your contact and vehicle information.
- Complete the checkout process to finalize your parking registration.
To reach the building’s main entrance, please follow the route marked by the small orange arrows on the map below.
Please do not park in the Visitor Parking spaces located along the driveway in front of the building.
ADA parking is available directly in front of the building.
Bring a colleague or board member to learn what the GCPGC is about…
If you do not receive an email confirmation of RSVP, please email us at admin@gcpgc.org to confirm your RSVP and report that the automatic response mechanism did not work for your e-mail.
Members of the 2026 Conversation & Coffee Committee are Sarah Dods, Easterseals Redwood, Whitney O’Neal, 4C for Children, Todd Simmons, Phi Delta Theta Foundation and Tammy Wernke, University of Cincinnati Foundation. For more information on upcoming Conversations and Coffee programs, please visit the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council website at http://www.gcpgc.org.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Conversation and Coffee is hosted, typically, the 3rd Wednesday of each month.