Beverly, MA – An increasing number of individuals are looking to leverage the power of philanthropy to invest in their communities, leave a lasting legacy and pass down family values to the next generation. 
 
But research in the sector shows that it’s not always easy to find advice on the best, most efficient way to do it.
 
To help bridge this information gap and support area financial, wealth and estate planning advisors, who are consistently seeking out educational opportunities to provide more holistic advice for their clients, Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) has partnered with The American College of Financial Services to offer local advisors the chance to work together to earn the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, or CAP®, designation.
 
CAP® is a 10-month, graduate-level program focused on advancing philanthropy in local communities through a rigorous curriculum for advisors that focuses on positive social impact when determining clients’ financial and estate planning goals. Advisors gain valuable knowledge in tax and legal considerations, philanthropic strategy development, trends and emerging issues, charitable giving vehicles, gift-planning for nonprofits and donors, conducting meaningful, informative conversations with clients, and more. 
 
The American College offers CAP® as a self-study program, but the new study group facilitated by ECCF enhances the learning experience and gives advisors the opportunity to share best practices and build their network of like-minded peers.
 
“The group dynamic really elevates the content and level of understanding and it’s just more fun and engaging,” said Jennifer Mayo, ECCF’s director of gift planning and advisor relations, who leads the study group. “The CAP® group study program is part of ECCF’s overarching efforts to provide high-quality, philanthropic advising services to donors and our partner professional advisors in the community.”
 
ECCF began offering the study group in September of 2023 and is pleased to announce that this summer, the first cohort of advisor-participants earned their CAP® designations. The first cohort of ECCF CAP® graduates are:
 

• Jennifer Mayo of Beverly, ECCF’s director of gift planning and advisor relations
• Stacey Landry of Beverly, ECCF’s vice president for advancement and philanthropic services
• David McKechnie of Gloucester, managing partner of Beauport Financial Services in Gloucester
• Derek Reed of Wenham, managing partner of Beauport Financial Services in Gloucester
• Matthew Schroeder of Danvers, wealth advisor and director of financial planning at Great Point Wealth Advisors in Danvers
• Frank Hannigan of Salem, associate attorney at Bob Goldman Law in Salem

 
“An increasing number of my clients are looking for advice about charitable giving and its role in their overall financial strategies,” said Schroeder. “I knew the CAP® designation would prepare me for the complex conversations and questions that often arise when talking about money and giving back.”
 
The ECCF cohort met 10 times from September to June, heard from expert guest speakers in the field and participated in a joint networking session with The Boston Foundation’s CAP® study group. Schroeder said this collaboration was great because he wasn’t just on his own reading concepts in a book.
 
“We engaged in discussion and shared ideas that brought those concepts to life. Working collaboratively made the experience so much more valuable,” he added. “Not only did I learn more, but I have also made connections that I will continue to leverage as philanthropy becomes a bigger focus of my work.”
 
“I really looked forward to our meetings each month,” said ECCF’s Vice President for Advancement and Philanthropic Services Stacey Landry, a member of the first graduating ECCF CAP® cohort. “Yes, we were learning things that would help support us in our roles to make charitable giving more accessible and effective for people, but I also just enjoyed getting to know colleagues and peers from across Essex County, who are now in my network of people I can call on with questions or for advice.”
 
ECCF is actively recruiting for the next CAP® cohort, which will begin in late September.
 
“The CAP® designation is so valuable because it empowers advisors to effectively guide their clients when making important financial and philanthropic decisions,” said Mayo. “We’re really excited at ECCF to offer this new service, which we believe will help support meaningful client-advisor relationships, increase effective, strategic giving and produce significant positive ripple effects in our communities.”
 
Space in the next ECCF CAP® study group is limited. Please email Jennifer Mayo at j.mayo@eccf.org if you are interested in participating. To learn more about the program, visit www.eccf.org/cap-program/.
 
About ECCF
The mission of Essex County Community Foundation is to inspire philanthropy that strengthens the communities of Essex County. We do this by managing charitable assets, strengthening and supporting nonprofits and engaging in strategic community leadership. In 25 years, ECCF and its growing family of 300+ charitable funds have granted $169 million to nonprofits, schools and students in Essex County and beyond. Our ultimate goal is to have 34 thriving cities and towns in Essex County and to improve the quality of life for the region’s 800,000+ residents. Learn more at eccf.org.