Viken Mikaelian

Perfect! I've added the image with: Alt text: "Vintage typewriter with text 'This year I will...' symbolizing the promise to finally write a will
Estate Planning
Viken Mikaelian

Four Keys to Motivate Wills

If even Abraham Lincoln, Prince, and Picasso skipped writing wills, what chance do the rest of us have without a nudge? That’s why no single message works for every donor. Some need a wake-up call about the risks. Others respond to inspiring visions of their legacy. Still others want practical answers or simple first steps. The most effective campaigns don’t pick one approach—they balance all four: fear, inspiration, education, and simplicity. Because different people need different keys to finally act.

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Businessman chasing a dangling carrot symbolizing fundraisers pursuing small incentives while larger legacy gifts are ignored.
New Opportunities
Viken Mikaelian

$100K Bequest vs $10K Check: Which Gets Applause?

A $100,000 bequest barely gets a pat on the back, while a $10,000 check today earns applause, credit, and bonuses. That’s the real problem: behavior follows recognition, and recognition follows reporting. Until you start tracking, crediting, and celebrating legacy commitments like major gifts, your program will keep limping along—underfunded and overlooked. The fix is simple. Reward what matters.

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Charity event - group of donors exchanging conversation while having wine
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

While You’re Planning Your Next Chicken Dinner, They Are Planning For Their Deaths

Bequests are quietly transforming nonprofit fundraising—but most organizations are stuck chasing galas, events, and short-term wins. In this sharp critique, we explore why legacy giving is the most overlooked revenue stream and how tools like LegacyPlanner™ remove friction and drive real results. With insights from clients like Smith College and JMU, this piece calls out outdated board thinking and offers practical steps to modernize your strategy. Bequests aren’t gravy—they’re the foundation. Ignore them, and the money passes you by.

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Online Will Planners: Should Your Nonprofit Have One?
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Online Will Planners: Should Your Nonprofit Have One?

Online will makers are everywhere you look these days. From FreeWill, Rocket Lawyer, Trust & Will and GivingDocs to the comprehensive LegacyPlanner, it feels like everyone is offering their own version. And sometimes it seems like they all just appeared overnight, too. But the truth is, the industry has been around for decades — both US Legal Wills and LegalZoom had online versions more than 20 years ago.

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Depiction of family making a will
Wills
Viken Mikaelian

10 Powerful Truths About Making a Will You Need to Know

Creating a will is a vital act of love and responsibility—not just for the wealthy, but for anyone wishing to protect their loved ones and legacy. This guide outlines ten essential truths, including the importance of naming guardians, avoiding court-imposed decisions, and using modern, affordable tools like LegacyPlanner™. It stresses that valid wills are legally binding, easy to update, and crucial at any age. Take action today to ensure your wishes are honored and your family is safeguarded.

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Overwhelmed nonprofit professional surrounded by distractions, symbolizing toxic busyness and poor time management
Self Improvement & Career
Viken Mikaelian

Stop Being Busy and Start Being Dangerous

Most people aren’t busy—they’re just unfocused, boundary-less, and addicted to looking important. This piece delivers seven brutal truths about time, attention, and why most nonprofit professionals are stuck in a loop of motion without progress. If your calendar is full but your goals are stalled, this is your wake-up call. Stop being everyone’s unpaid assistant. Start producing outcomes. Because in the end, you’re either running your day—or starring in someone else’s productivity fantasy.

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An image Hardball in Leadership No Excuses Just Results.
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Hardball in Leadership: No Excuses, Just Results

Whiners don’t win—leaders do. If your comfort zone is begging for 2–4% raises and hoping for a part-time job post-retirement, this isn’t for you. Hardball leaders don’t play it safe—they make bold moves, take calculated risks, and push their teams toward excellence. The nonprofit world is plagued by a softie mentality, where comfort trumps results. But real impact demands urgency, accountability, and grit. Step up, toughen up, and lead like a winner—because playing it safe won’t get you to the top.

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