Ed Sandifer, J.D.
Ed Sandifer serves as the Planned and Major Gifts Officer for the Indianapolis Zoo, joining the Zoo in 2002. As the Zoo’s principal endowment fundraiser, Ed has worked with the Zoo’s leadership and its Planned Giving Committee to increase its endowment by over $50 million during his service. Ed is also a member of the Major Gifts team, who secure significant charitable gifts to support the Zoo’s annual fund and capital campaigns.
Ed began his career in philanthropy in 1999 as the first Director of Planned Giving at Marian College (now Marian University), located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ed formed Marian’s first Planned Giving Committee, developed its gift acceptance policies, and began its gift annuity program.
While serving with Marian College, Ed also served concurrently as Assistant Counsel to the Indiana State Senate during the Indiana legislative sessions from 1999 through 2001. Responsibilities included the drafting and tracking of legislative amendments, constituent research, and preparation of Senate resolutions. Highlights from his service included shepherding the legislation that developed charter schools, riverboat gambling, and class basketball.
Ed previously served as an attorney in private practice from 1992 through 1998 focusing on estate planning, probate, real estate, and family law matters. It was through serving clients in these matters that Ed developed a passion for helping others define and pursue their legacy.
Ed is a member and served on the board of directors of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners from 2017 - 2019. He is a member and former president of the Charitable Gift Planners of Indiana, and he is also a member and past board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Indiana Chapter.
In support of charitable gift planning, Ed speaks periodically with Indiana continuing legal education (CLE) programs. He also presents with national planned giving councils as a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Speakers Bureau. Ed frequently serves as panelist speaker with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums National Conference. As of 2023, Ed serves as adjunct faculty for The Fund Raising School of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Honors and certifications include the Certificate of Fund Raising Management with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and The Fund Raising School. Ed was also honored as Junior Achievement’s Indy’s Best and Brightest Finalist of 2006 and 2007.
Ed received his bachelor’s degree in History from Indiana University and his doctorate in Jurisprudence from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.