Newton Community and Healthcare Foundation: What's New

Newton Ccommunity and Healthcare Foundation

Loren Friesen Certified in Planned Giving

NEWTON — Loren D. Friesen, Executive Director of Newton Community & Healthcare Foundation, has earned the professional designation, Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG).

The designation was bestowed recently by the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies sponsored by the foundation for California State University at Long Beach.

To receive the designation, Friesen was required to demonstrate mastery of an in-depth curriculum focusing on charitable gift planning topics and issues. The final requirement, a practicum reviewed by the faculty, evaluated knowledge and skill as applied to his current professional activities.

Course work included 19 days of classes and exams over a one-year period.

"Completing this CSPG designation program has provided incredible contacts with some of the national leaders in charitable gift planning, tremendous reference materials, and the latest in charitable planning methodologies," Friesen explained.

"Applying these principles in the Newton community will really enhance Newton Community & Healthcare Foundation's outreach in promoting and facilitating community philanthropy," he added, "and in building legacy endowments to benefit area charities for decades and generations to come.

"I applaud the foundation board of trustees for its vision and leadership in bringing this certification to NCHF," Friesen said.

The certification program, launched in 1995, trains individuals from a variety of professions, including directors of development, attorneys, accountants, financial planners, trust officers, fund-raisers and insurance and investment professionals.

Friesen also is certified by the National Planned Giving Institute,
studying under the late Robert F. Sharpe Sr. And, he has served on the
Editorial Review Panel of the Journal of Gift Planning, the national
professional journal of gift planners.