Planned Giving Archives

Gold trophy on a dark background symbolizing success, high performance, and top achievement in fundraising.

Career Advancement

Why Top-Earning Major Gift Officers Master Planned Giving—And How You Can, Too

Top-earning major gift officers don’t ignore planned giving—they embrace it. Not because they have to, but because they know it gives them an edge most fundraisers miss. While others chase bake sales and annual upgrades, these professionals are building donor portfolios that stand the test of time. Mastering planned giving isn’t just smart—it’s strategic. It earns trust, opens bigger conversations, and positions you as the fundraiser leadership remembers. Want to rise? Start where the top performers do.

Viken Mikaelian March 31, 2025 No Comments

Estate Planning

Why Using An Online Estate Planning Service Can Simplify Your Life

Creating a last will is important for taking care of your family. Does your will cover everything you need? Creating a Will isn’t just for people with children and it can be as easy to set up as writing down the names of your family and loved ones and what percentage of your assets you want each person to receive.

Sarah Pinto November 18, 2024 No Comments

Estate Planning

COVID-19 Pandemic Sounds Alarm for Estate Planning Needs

COVID made this business decision a moot point for many employers: it was either work at home or not work at all. Other than the blanket remote work initiative, one of the most highly-affected areas was in the world of estate planning.

Jonathan Gudema October 31, 2024 No Comments

Planned Giving

There’s a Crisis Brewing

Forget what you’ve heard about planned giving. Just do the math. Baby Boomers, who are among the wealthiest and most charitable Americans, are dying at a rate of about 6,000 a day.

Viken Mikaelian October 17, 2024 No Comments

Planned Giving

How to Start a Planned Giving Program: A Comprehensive Guide

Did you know that learning how to start a planned giving program can secure your nonprofit’s long-term financial stability?

It’s a fact—and it’s one successful nonprofits have been using to their advantage for decades. If you’re ready to go beyond annual giving and unlock a more sustainable future through legacy gifts, read on. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of starting a planned giving program.

Viken Mikaelian August 18, 2024 No Comments

Planned Giving

CEO Note

If my name were in your database, it would be flagged as an ideal planned giving prospect. Why? I’m over 60. I own a business and real estate (which can be planned gifts). I have no kids. I give annually to a number of charities.

Viken Mikaelian August 4, 2022 No Comments

Estate Planning

Lessons from an Early Bird (and Other Unwelcome Guests)

Life throws surprises when you least expect them—like a panicked bird flying into your car at 7 AM. One minute, you’re enjoying your coffee; the next, you’re negotiating real estate rights with an avian intruder. Estate planning works the same way. Most people ignore it, assuming they have time—until they don’t. A simple accident can erase your legacy faster than that bird escaped my car. The lesson? Don’t be a bird brain. Plan now, because fate (and the IRS) won’t wait for you to open the window.

Viken Mikaelian August 2, 2022 No Comments

Fundraising Strategy

Low Response to Planned Giving Newsletters? Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong

If you have been in the fundraising industry for a while, you probably remember a time when planned giving newsletters were a surefire way to connect with donors. While the majority of people still prefer direct mail as a form of communication over e-mail, the popularity of planned giving newsletters has dwindled. Planned giving newsletters still produce benefits and are an important tool in hitting donation targets, but they must be sent with a clear strategy and must target the correct people.

Viken Mikaelian June 24, 2022 No Comments

Give and Take

Why Top-Earning Major Gift Officers Master Planned Giving—And How You Can, Too

Why Using An Online Estate Planning Service Can Simplify Your Life

COVID-19 Pandemic Sounds Alarm for Estate Planning Needs

There’s a Crisis Brewing

How to Start a Planned Giving Program: A Comprehensive Guide

CEO Note

Lessons from an Early Bird (and Other Unwelcome Guests)

Low Response to Planned Giving Newsletters? Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong

Stay Informed!

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