Jeffrey and Stephanie Pickering with Grant PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

Planned giving advisors, attorneys, bankers, CPAs and nonprofit fund development representatives paid tribute to Jeffrey Pickering, president and CEO of the Indian River Community Foundation, as the recipient of the 14th Pinnacle Award at its annual breakfast at the Quail Valley River Club.

The Pinnacle Award recognizes excellence in charitable planning and honors professional advisors for outstanding voluntary service to local nonprofit organizations in promoting charitable giving through estate and gift planning.

“The pinnacle award is an award that’s presented by two organizations. Both the Indian River Estate Planning Council and the Planned Giving Council of Indian River come together and pool our resources to identify someone who is a champion for our industry,” said David Osgood, event chairman.

“Jeff is a living example of compassion and integrity. He is an inspiration to me and many of you,” said Osgood, before introducing Matt Tanner, United Against Poverty executive director.

Tanner said that Pickering was the first person he thought of when he first learned of the Pinnacle Award.

“I can say with some confidence that if the same question was posed to all the nonprofit leaders in this community, the consensus selection would be Jeff as well. There are a lot of reasons for that,” said Tanner.

“For me, the primary driver of that is that Jeff is a man of incredible integrity. And for those of us that are fundraisers in the room, in many ways he serves as a North Star for how to be a steward of donor dollars. I want to say thank you for pushing me, thank you for pushing us, and thank you for pushing so many organizations in this room to never settle for good and to continue to strive for great,” Tanner added.

Meredith Egan, United Way of IRC CEO, who had presented Pickering with the Richardson Spirit of Community Award during the UW Community Leaders’ Breakfast just four weeks earlier, spoke of his dedication to the people in our community.

Recently, Egan said, Pickering was a hero to the United Way after Hurricane Milton and its accompanying tornadoes and flooding caused such tremendous devastation.

“Jeff is a remarkable community change-maker who consistently sits at the table with United Way, engaging in problem-solving and brainstorming as we tackle emerging and pressing issues of our time. Jeff is possibly United Way’s most ardent advocate. He always pushes our work forward and aligns our mission to ensure the highest and best use of community resources,” continued Egan.

Katy Block Healy, chair of the Indian River Community Foundation, called Pickering a remarkable leader whose dedication to philanthropy and community building has transformed many lives.

“From the moment Jeff took the helm at the Indian River Community Foundation in 2015, he has embodied the spirit of philanthropy. His vision for the foundation has not only amplified the foundation’s impact but has also inspired countless individuals to engage in charitable giving and community service,” said Healy.

“Under his leadership, the foundation has become a leader in philanthropic giving and a catalyst for change.”

She noted that philanthropy is not just about giving, but rather about fostering a culture of generosity and empowerment, and that Pickering’s ability to build bridges between donors and communities has meant that resources are allocated where they can make the most significant difference.

“Through innovative charitable planning initiatives, he has empowered individuals to turn their passions into impactful work, creating a lasting legacy that reflects their values and aspirations.

Jeff has championed collaboration among local funders, fostering partnerships that advance collective impact,” said Healy.

“His belief that we are stronger together has led to groundbreaking initiatives that address pressing issues, such as education, housing and healthcare. By leveraging the strengths of various organizations, he has created a united front that tackles challenges head-on,” she added.

Having worked with Pickering for the past few years, Yamilet Cendejas, IRCF director of philanthropy, spoke of his role as a mentor, describing him as a leader who embodies their mission of building a better community.

Sharing that his grandfather instilled in him the idea of being generous and giving back, Pickering said he has spent most of his career in philanthropy.

“I think it’s still the best job in the world. You get to help people, identify the things they care deeply about, and make a difference in the world,” said Pickering in thanks.

Photos by Joshua Kodis