Cathy R. Sheffield, CAP^®, CSPG^®, CFRE
Director of Philanthropic Partnerships
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Nashville, TN
http://www.cfmt.org
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Cathy partners with professional advisors and their clients to develop charitable giving strategies that maximize philanthropic impact, achieve tax-efficient outcomes, and create lasting legacies for the people and causes they care about most. She specializes in customized planning solutions, including gifts of complex and non-cash assets, helping individuals and families align their giving with their values while equipping advisors to better serve their clients.

A charitable gift planner with more than 25 years of experience, Cathy is known for translating complex charitable planning opportunities into practical, client-focused solutions that strengthen relationships, inspire generosity, and create enduring impact.

Before joining the Community Foundation, Cathy held leadership positions with Belmont University, Baylor Scott & White Health Foundation, Texas Health Resources Foundation, and Texas Christian University. A nationally recognized speaker and educator in charitable gift planning, she is a past National Chair of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, serves on the Board of Directors of the American Council on Gift Annuities, and is on the faculty of the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies' Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG®) program. She earned her bachelor's degree from North Dakota State University and an MBA from Texas Christian University.

Fun Facts About Cathy

What was your first job?

Aside from babysitting and delivering newspapers, my first official job was playing the NBC Peacock mascot for KMOT TV in Minot, North Dakota. Apparently, I was destined for a career that involved connecting with people and occasionally being colorful!

When did you secure your first charitable gift annuity?

If I am remembering correctly, my first CGA was in 2000 or 2001 with a wonderful gentleman named Ralph, a 1929 graduate of TCU. At the time, we were promoting gift annuities in local newspapers and preparing a tremendous number of illustrations, so I learned very quickly!

If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Tex-Mex food. There are enough variations that I could technically claim I was not eating the same thing every day!

What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d gotten sooner?

Not every detour is a setback. Sometimes the path you never planned leads you exactly where you are meant to be.