Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2006

About André R. Donikian

André R. Donikian, JD, attorney and a member of the New York Bar, is a noted planned and major gifts expert with 35 years of service in the field. As chairman and founder of Pentera Inc., a full-service planned-giving firm based in Indianapolis, he has advised thousands of nonprofit organizations—including the nation's top nonprofits—on all aspects of connecting organizations and donors.

Mr. Donikian has published and lectured extensively on philanthropic tax planning and has developed continuing education programs for state bar associations and accountancy boards. He has gained a reputation as a sought-after speaker who helps nonprofits further their missions and provides individual donors with vital information that might affect their ability to achieve their philanthropic goals.

Mr. Donikian has served on the board of NCPG and the Board of Advisors of Union College and is a founder and former board member of the Planned Giving Group of Indiana. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the David M. Donaldson Distinguished Service Award from the Planned Giving Group of New England in 1991, and The Spirit of Philanthropy Award from The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University in 2006.

Among his noted achievements: from 1989 to 1997 the organization now known as the Independent Colleges of Indiana Foundation retained Mr. Donikian under Lilly Endowment and Ball Brothers Foundation grants to act as gift-planning counsel to all of the independent colleges of Indiana, to train and educate their development staff, board members, and key volunteers and to conduct numerous seminars for prospects and donors.