Program Description

2020 Mentorship Program Participants

The Hargroves Mentorship Program (HMP) has been established in memory of Gary G. Hargroves, past MGPA President and Clint A. Schroeder Award recipient, and the consummate mentor to many individuals interested in gift planning.  Gary made his life’s work helping others and this program honors his commitment and contribution to the field of gift planning in Minnesota.

The Hargroves Mentorship Program aims to support MGPA members new to the gift planning profession or who spend less than 25% of their work in gift planning, and seasoned professionals with meaningful one-on-one connections through mentorship. 

Each January, a new cohort of individuals will be paired together as mentors and mentees. The cohort lasts from January – October of the same year. 

Mentoring can include, but is not limited to:

• One-on-one meetings
• Phone calls
• E-mail exchanges
• Coaching
• Sharing information
• Attending MGPA Breakfast Programs together
• Attending MGPA Networking or Membership Events together
• Attending MGPA Conference
• Introductions to other MGPA members
• Other professional development activities as agreed upon between mentor and mentee.

Primarily, the mentor should:

• Serve as a resource to the mentee.
• Address questions.
• Be a good listener to individuals new to or inexperienced with gift planning.

Mentors are responsible for making the initial contact with assigned mentees. Both parties commit to at least three face-to-face meetings and three phone calls over the nine months. There will be three social gatherings for the full group, beginning with a kick-off in January, a summer social and a wrap-up in conjuction with the annual MGPA conference in October. After receiving an initial contact from the mentor, mentees should make efforts to continue the relationship, seeking reasonable assistance with planned giving issues and/or career guidance as they feel necessary and helpful.

Become a Mentor    Become a Mentee

Gary G. Hargroves

Gary left his mark on so many people and his memory continues to be a blessing to each person who knew him. He leaves behind a powerful example of a life well-lived and will be missed. It is hoped that the Gary G. Hargroves MGPA Mentorship Program will also.

Gary was an early member of the Minnesota Gift Planning Association, a great friend to many of its members, and a gifted mentor to countless new planned giving officers. He was a member of the Minnesota Gift Planning Association, served as Chair of the MGPA Annual Conference, Chair of the Board of Directors and numerous other committees including the MGPA Leave A Legacy - MN. For his efforts he was awarded the prestigious Clint A. Schroeder Award for Service.

He taught helpful, practical MGPA courses about how to successfully cultivate philanthropy. His extraordinary “Relationship Development Process” was published in “Gift Planning Today.”

He was always learning, reading, taking classes and working to improve his skills, faith, environmental conservation practices and friendships.  As a generous, grateful, and happy person, he was engaged throughout his life in helping others achieve their personal and philanthropic goals. And his own carefully planned estate demonstrates that he walked the talk.  

At Minnesota Conference Pensions, Inc., he raised $5M for retired United Methodist pastors’ pensions and helped thousands of United Methodists across MN thank their pastors by making gift for this effort. Pastors often stopped Gary to thank him for his transformative efforts.

As Director of Planned Giving at the Minnesota Medical Foundation at the U of MN from 1985 – 2006, he helped raise over $245M in outright and planned gifts for medical research and education. Subsequently, he worked with the MN United Methodist Church Foundation and Courage Center.

Gary was an entrepreneur and independent thinker. His last position was as an Associate VP with the national firm, Thompson and Associates. He recruited hospital foundations as clients who then invited their planned giving prospects to work with him on their estate gifts for hospitals in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, St. Cloud. The effects of this work raised millions of dollars for these hospitals to provide better care.

Mentor/Mentee Testimonial

From the Mentee:

"Chris Fahey, Major Gift Officer from the University of St. Thomas was my Mentor in the Gary Hargroves Mentorship program. Chris was wonderful counsel, gave me great advise, tutored me on non-profit language & gave me wonderful leads on networking & discovery meetings. My interviews increased, my networking reached a higher level and directly through Jane Townsend's connections - I landed a position at Lutheran Social Service as a Development Officer. I can't say enough good things about the program, beyond wonderful!"

Gary Pietruszewski
Development Officer
Lutheran Social Service

From the Mentor:

"When Gary Pietruszewski and I first met, he was transitioning from the for-profit into the non-profit sector. Through our chats, visits with other members of the MPGC community, and Gary’s tenacity and unwavering focus, he grew his network and opportunities. All of his hard work paid off in February when he started as Development Officer at Lutheran Social Service.

Personally, I have found being a mentor very rewarding on many levels. Not only did I get to know Gary but it also provided me a way to pay it forward, as others had helped me during my career. I am very thankful for the opportunity to get to know Gary and for the Hargroves Mentorship Program. I would encourage you to get involved as a mentor as well."

Chris Fahey
Major Gift Officer
University of St. Thomas