planned giving Archives

An image of giving money that will grow similar to a Charitable Remainder Trusts.

Planned Giving Marketing

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) offer a tax-efficient method to support charities while preserving income. Donors transfer appreciated assets into a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) or Unitrust (CRUT), gaining immediate income tax deductions and avoiding capital gains taxes. These trusts provide fixed or variable payments during retirement, allowing donors to maintain their lifestyle. They also enable wealth transfer with reduced gift or estate taxes, making CRTs an attractive option for long-term charitable and financial planning.

Joshua Keleske September 3, 2025 No Comments

Bronze sundial casting a long shadow on stone, symbolizing timelessness and enduring values in fundraising.

Stewardship and Relationships

Why Timeless Fundraising Strategies Crush Fads, Gimmicks, and Quick Fixes

Trendy fundraising tactics come and go—usually with little to show for it. The nonprofits that win big gifts and long-term loyalty understand one thing: donors are deciding if you’re worthy of their legacy. This article pulls no punches. It’s a call to abandon gimmicks and build something lasting. If you’re serious about donor trust, planned giving, long-range impact—and your career—this isn’t just another blog post. It’s your wake-up call.

Viken Mikaelian May 12, 2025 No Comments

Neglected boat stranded on dry land — a visual metaphor for abandoned nonprofit blogs and missed legacy opportunities

Planned Giving Marketing

The Silent Killer on Your Website: Your Blog

A bad blog doesn’t just look lazy—it proves it. In the world of planned giving, where trust and credibility matter most, an outdated or lifeless blog can quietly sabotage donor confidence. Learn why showing up halfheartedly online is worse than not showing up at all—and how to fix it before it costs you.

Viken Mikaelian May 10, 2025 No Comments

What every modern fundraiser thinks they need to become after addressing a donor as “Mr.” instead of “Dr.”. Spoiler: You don’t.

Planned Giving Marketing

Don’t Apologize. Cash the Check.

Originally Published September 16, 2010. Updated for January, 2025. Apology Not Accepted: Why You Shouldn’t Beg for Forgiveness in Fundraising A few years back, I

Viken Mikaelian January 24, 2025 No Comments

Planned Giving Marketing

Let’s Talk About Love

I’ve been in the planned giving marketing industry for 25 years, and for 25 years I’ve been saying that planned giving is a people business. If you love people, you will go far in planned giving (and in your career).

Viken Mikaelian January 21, 2025 No Comments

Frustrated young fundraiser at desk, overwhelmed by complex planned giving tasks without proper training or mentorship.

Planned Giving Marketing

“Entry-Level Nonprofit Fundraiser”: A Wave of the Past?

Nonprofits did not do well last year, and you wonder why. I recently came across a job listing that read something like this: “[A nonprofit] is

Viken Mikaelian September 23, 2024 No Comments

A picture of the word "Bequests" above two thought bubbles containing the words "Do's" and "Don'ts," to illustrate a PlannedGiving.Com blog about securing estate gifts and securing bequests for your planned giving program.

Planned Giving Marketing

Estate Gifts Do’s and Dont’s

Estate gifts, also known as planned or legacy gifts, are a vital component of many nonprofits’ fundraising strategies. Soliciting bequests or estate gifts can significantly impact an organization’s financial sustainability and long-term success. However, soliciting estate gifts requires a delicate and thoughtful approach to ensure that donors feel respected, valued, and inspired. Here are some essential Dos and Don’ts to guide your nonprofit’s fundraising and planned giving efforts.

Jonathan Gudema August 21, 2024 No Comments

Estate Planning Goals Illustration: property disposition, charity, life insurance, living will, trust, succession planning

Planned Giving Marketing

Importance of Estate Planning: Why You Need an Estate Plan

Let’s face it: Estate planning isn’t exactly a dinner table conversation starter. But trust me, it’s one of those adulting tasks that’s way more important than we often give it credit for. So, what’s all the fuss about?

Viken Mikaelian August 15, 2024 No Comments

A cartoon illustration of man shouting to a town, to illustrate a PlannedGiving.Com post on the importance of planned gift reporting.

Planned Giving Marketing

Why It’s Important To Inform Nonprofits About Your Planned Gifts

It may seem silly, but it’s true — and it’s a step many donors forget. A 2019 Special Report from Giving USA found that just 4 percent of donors always report their planned gifts to organizations, and 38.7 percent sometimes inform the organizations.

Sarah Pinto August 9, 2024 No Comments

Faith Based Giving

King David’s Planned Gift Built The First Temple

In anticipation of this great construction project, King David accumulated immense quantities of gold, silver, bronze, precious stones and exotic woods. Then, knowing he was serving a higher power, he bequeathed those assets to his son Solomon, along with God’s instructions for the design of the temple. (Even in Biblical times, donors were particular about how their planned gifts could be used …)

Jerry Rohrbach March 30, 2023 No Comments

Tag: planned giving