Stay tuned for details related to Planned Giving Day 2025, which is currently being planned!
We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker and education session speakers for PG Day 2024.
Opening Keynote Presentation
Opening Keynote: Cultivating Inclusivity: Empowering the Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders
Cherian Koshy, CFRE, CAP® | Vice President of Product Strategy of Kindsight
In an era where the call for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) resonates loudly and critically, the nonprofit sector stands at a pivotal juncture. Our keynote is crafted to inspire, inform, and ignite action among Symposium attendees. It will delve into fostering future leaders through an inclusivity lens, presenting real-life solutions and case studies that showcase successful strategies for attracting, nurturing, and retaining diverse talent.
Understanding the diversity within the nonprofit sector, this presentation will address the unique perspectives and experiences of different groups. It will explore how these differences can influence the adoption and impact of IDEA strategies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to building resilient and dynamic organizations.
Attendees will be guided through an engaging journey, equipped with practical tools, including a robust workbook and a step-by-step framework. This resource will empower attendees to implement actionable strategies within their organizations, transforming IDEA principles from theory into tangible outcomes.
“Cultivating Inclusivity: Empowering the Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders” will not only inspire attendees to champion IDEA within their organizations but also equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary to make a tangible impact. With Cherian’s high energy and passionate delivery, this keynote is a call to action for all nonprofit professionals to play a pivotal role in shaping an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic future for the sector.
Cherian Koshy, CFRE and CAP®, a transformative leader in social impact, revolutionized the sector with AI through NonprofitOS, which he founded and successfully exited. An international keynote speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice, and a Forbes Council member, he blends technology with strategy, impacting industries globally as Kindsight’s VP of Product Strategy.
Three Concurrent Sessions (By Track)
Choose any session from three concurrent tracks throughout the day.
Donor Engagement Track
Planned giving is all about the relationship. This track focuses on building relationships with your donors and prospects through marketing, personalized engagement, and stewardship.
Track Dean: R. Sylvester Owens, CAP® | Senior Director of Estate Planning, Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Session 1: 11:00 am
Choosing the Right Fiduciary for Administration of Charitable Trusts and Estates
Fredrick B. Weber, JD | Counsel, ArentFox Schiff LLP
For gift planners and trusted advisors, educating donors about their fiduciary choices can be as important as helping them choose beneficiaries. This presentation will discuss strategies for advising donors about the pros and cons of various fiduciary options for estate and trust administration. It also will include tips to help demystify the post-death administration process so donors can make thoughtful and informed decisions aimed at easing the burden of post-death administration for everyone.
Session 2: 1:30 pm
Unlock the Power of Philanthropy: Engage Donors, Increase Planned Gifts, Embrace Storytelling
Aquanetta Betts, JD, CAP®, AEP®, CFRE | Director of Planned Giving, George Mason University
This presentation will delve into the art of donor engagement, strategies for increasing planned gifts, and the power of storytelling. Discover innovative approaches to connect with donors on a deeper level, foster long-term commitments through planned giving, and effectively share compelling stories that resonate and inspire donors from varied backgrounds and diverse communities. This session will equip organizations with the tools to elevate their fundraising efforts through planned giving and create lasting connections that drive positive change.
Session 3: 3:00 pm
Lasting Impressions: Effective Responses to Donor Inquiries About Legacy Gifts
Tracy Malloy-Curtis, JD | Vice-President, Legacy Giving, Mal Warwick Donordigital
This presentation will tackle the challenge non-profits face: engaging numerous legacy inquirers with personal attention in an automated world. It will advocate for tailored communication that respects a donor’s timeline, contrasting impersonal replies with meaningful interactions that nurture long-term relationships. Attendees will learn strategies to balance quantity with quality, to provoke dialogue, and to make legacy donors feel cherished and understood, ultimately enhancing donor satisfaction and commitment throughout their legacy-giving journey.
Behind the Scenes Track
A strong planned giving program is built on the behind-the-scenes systems and operations highlighted in this track.
Track Dean: Samantha O’Neal | Specialist, Planned Giving and Bequest Administration, National Geographic Society
Session 1: 11:00 am
Tales from Both Sides of the Table
Shari Fleming, JD, AEP® | Attorney/Planned Giving Officer, The Law Office of Shari Fleming/Bowie State University
Gift planners rarely have an opportunity to understand the mechanics behind receiving a realized planned gift. The goal of this presentation is to help all gift planners, with varying levels of experience, to understand how nuanced estate planning and estate administration can be, so they are in the best position to support donors who desire to give a planned gift.
Session 2: 1:30 pm
Talking Bequest Success: How to Win Friends and Influence People Across Your Organization
Andrew Fussner, JD | Vice President of Estate Settlement, American Heart Association, Inc.
Lisa Smith, JD | Deputy Chief Planning Giving and Estates Officer, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
This presentation will cover “how to talk bequest administration” to four categories of people at a non-profit organization: (1) fundraisers, (2) accounting/finance staff, (3) legal staff, and (4) senior management and the Board. It isn’t always easy to communicate about bequest administration with each of these groups. Attendees will gain a better understanding of what motivates each group, how to speak “their” language and be provided with tips and tricks for things to say and not to say.
Session 3: 3:00 pm
Top 10 Ideas to Grow Your Planned Giving Program
Debra Kathman, JD | Sr. Director of Gift Planning, World Wildlife Fund
Jennifer H. Henke | Regional Director, Wounded Warrior Project
Gift Planning is an important part of any development office but current efforts often don’t result in current income. It’s also complicated by discussions of taxes and estate planning, and while a vital source of revenue, it’s often not prioritized, especially in smaller shops. In this interactive presentation, Jennifer and Debra will provide a “Top 10” list of simple, often low-cost ideas that can increase the visibility of gift planning opportunities and help to provide new focus to this increasingly important area of fundraising.
Getting Technical Track
Technicalities like taxes, laws, and gift structures can maximize a donor’s giving potential. Learn about or refresh yourself on the technical details in this track.
Track Dean: Lauren Fields | Director, Gift Planning, National Wildlife Federation
Session 1: 11:00 am
The How of Giving – Shifting an Organizational Culture to Raise Noncash Assets
Jackie W. Franey, CSPG, CAP® | Founder, JW Franey Consulting, LLC
There has been much discussion surrounding the importance of having deliberate conversations with donors regarding giving from wealth (assets) rather than disposable income. We know that donors often lack awareness of the range of available giving vehicles and options, primarily thinking cash when making gifts to charity. This presentation will focus on using data and successful strategies to build a case for support for an organizational focus on incorporating the how of giving noncash assets into deeper conversations with donors to secure more outright, blended, and planned gifts.
Session 2: 1:30 pm
Donor Considerations for Gifts of Art and Collectibles
Courtney L. Tsai | Sr. Manager, Charitable Strategies Group, Schwab Charitable
Charitable gifts of tangible personal property (art and collectibles) are complicated under the IRS rules. This session will prepare fundraisers to understand the perspective of the donor when corresponding regarding a potential gift of art/collectibles and prepare advisors for potential client planning conversations about gifts of artwork and collectibles. Fundraisers at charities that can accept gifts of art should know the basic rules about IRS rules for such gifts, including receipting and reporting requirements. This presentation will go beyond the basic IRS rules to help advisors and fundraisers understand the donor’s considerations and options for gifting.
Session 3: 3:00 pm
CRUTs and CLATs – What Charitable Trusts Are and Why They Help You AND Your Donors
Anneke H. Niemira, JD, LLM | Managing Director & Senior Wealth Strategist, NewEdge Wealth
This presentation aims to increase technical skills around more sophisticated philanthropic planning options for particularly wealthy donors, by explaining the ins and outs of charitable trusts — what they are, how they work, why they help donors, and which type of trust is best depending on donor objectives: inter-generational wealth transfer, or donors trying to address low-basis stock, concentrated (10%+) stock positions, or income tax deferral. CRTs and CLTs can increase opportunities with your wealthiest donors.
Closing Panel Discussion
Emma Miller | Panel Moderator | Senior Director, Planned Giving, National Geographic Society
Robert C. Ross | Philanthropist & Attorney
F. Lynn Holec | Donor, Economist & Attorney
Wrap up what you’ve learned at our closing panel discussion that gives you perspectives from a donor, philanthropist, and board member who share their takeaways about boosting planned giving with your donors. There will be time for the audience to ask questions to this great panel.