Betsy Anderson Mangone
September 12, 1943 - August 3, 2025

Betsy Mangone lived 81 years in a world where she had a quiet, positive impact on everyone around her - her family, her friends, her colleagues, her clients, and the nonprofit organizations so important to her. To me, she was a dear friend, an invaluable colleague, and a rock star in the field of gift planning. She was generous with her time, her resources, and her knowledge. Betsy had a way of making each person feel seen, heard, and valued. She listened—truly listened—with compassion and focus—making you feel as though your words mattered in a way so rare to encounter.

I first met Betsy when I attended a gift planning council meeting in Georgia just after I started my consulting business. At the time, Betsy was president of her own successful consulting firm and was one of the speakers at the conference. I was awed at her ability to so effectively convey the principles of gift planning in a way that resonated with her audience and inspired them to do more. I introduced myself to her afterwards and was immediately struck by her warmth, her strength, and her kindness. Betsy and I became close friends and colleagues and created a group of five consultants that included Cynthia Krause, Laura Hansen Dean, Pamela Davidson, myself and Betty who would meet periodically to support each other, share advertising in the Journal of Gift Planning, and even share a booth at national conferences. It was magic.

I watched as Betsy took on challenges of national leadership at the National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG), now the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (NACGP). Betsy was one of the founders of NCPG, served on its board, and served as its President over a period of time that required strong leadership to bring together the many long-established gift planning councils across the country and to encourage the establishment of new councils. She was responsible for creating the ethical standards, educational syllabus, and gift planning standards for the profession. After her term on the board, Betsy continued to provide support to the national organization and was inducted into the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Hall of Fame in 2018.

Betsy was generous with her time and served in many roles in the nonprofit field and her community. These included serving as Vice President of the University of Colorado Foundation, as a member of the Board of Trustees of American University, as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Craig Hospital Foundation, as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Colorado Foundation, as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Denver Foundation, and as Chair of the Ludeman Family Center for Women's Health Research. The community recognized Betsy with many awards including distinguished service awards from the Mayor of Denver and City of Denver, the "Professional Advisor of the Year" award from the Denver Foundation, the first "Betsy Mangone Lifetime Achievement" award from the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable, and the Mile High Girl Scout Council "Women of Distinction" award.

Whether she was pouring her creativity into her business to benefit clients, championing a cause close to her heart, or nurturing relationships with dear friends, Betsy lived with intentionality and passion. Her enthusiasm was contagious—she inspired me, and many others, to pursue excellence and to do so with courage and kindness. Over the years, we shared laughter, tears, dreams, and plans. She stood by me in moments of joy and in moments of tragedy. In doing so, she not only modeled resilience, but taught me lessons in true friendship. To Betsy's family, I offer my deepest condolences and profound gratitude for having shared her with all of us. We mourn together, and we celebrate the richness of her life—a life lived with grace, compassion, and an unwavering spirit.

Kathryn W. Miree, CGP Hall of Fame (2018)
August 20, 2025

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