Viken Mikaelian, Author at Planned Giving Marketing Trusted Authority

Planned Giving Marketing

The Human Moment: Why Human-Centered Fundraising Matters

Today, fundraisers are faced with a battery of e-marketing tools. They are tempted to put their hands on everything they can get. “I can contact 2000 prospects with the push of a send key. And it’s cheap!” Well, not quite that cheap. Too much reliance on fundraising technology can hurt your development program. That’s why you need to focus on human-centered fundraising!

Viken Mikaelian September 16, 2022 No Comments

Sustainability

Planned Giving is “Hot” These Days

As more uncertainty rattles the markets and the economic downturn deepens, donations will dry up. Even your most consistent donors will reevaluate their charitable giving as the threat of a recession looms. And the Wall Street roller-coaster will affect stocks as well as cash.

Viken Mikaelian August 14, 2022 No Comments

A photo of a glamorous woman surrounded by photographers, to illustrate a plannedgiving.com post about celebrities who died without a will. Dying without a will is also called dying intestate.

Bequests

Celebrities Who Died Without A Will: A Study in Poor Estate Planning

Why do only rich people have wills? Because they have the luxury to afford it. NOT. I think you’ll be surprised at the number of rich and famous people who died without a will —or didn’t have an updated will—when they left this earth. Each eventually left behind a fortune, but millions (and millions!) of dollars was wasted on lawyers, avoidable taxes, and lawsuits.

Viken Mikaelian July 13, 2022 2 Comments

Bequests

Does a Planned Gift Donor Need a Lawyer to Draft a Will?

One of the most frequently asked questions in planned giving is whether or not a planned gift donor needs a lawyer to write their will. In this article, we answer the question, and give some important fundraising tips for your non-profit.

Viken Mikaelian April 17, 2022 No Comments

Trust is The Most Important Element of Fundraising

Stewardship and Relationships

Trust is The Most Important Element of Fundraising

Achieving trust doesn’t happen overnight. Yet it is the most important element of fundraising for your nonprofit organization. Building trust takes time, persistence, consistency, and dedication. It also takes audience awareness of your “brand.” And creating that awareness means consistent marketing — an investment far too many nonprofits are afraid to make.

Viken Mikaelian March 24, 2022 No Comments

The Major Gift Metrics You Need to Track

Major Gifts

The Major Gift Metrics You Need to Track

On average, 88% of a nonprofit’s revenue comes from the top 12% of its donors. This shows how crucial major gifts are to an organization’s overall fundraising strategy. Additionally, major donors not only provide nonprofits with sustained financial security but are often co-creators of many programs and initiatives. Learn how to track major gift metrics to succeed with your major donor program.

Viken Mikaelian March 23, 2022 No Comments

Video is Your Nonprofit’s New Best Friend

Planned Giving Marketing

Nonprofit Video Marketing is Your Organization’s New Best Friend

Studies consistently show that businesses using video marketing have phenomenally increased their lead generation. Your nonprofit can enjoy the same success by using video to market your planned and major gifts programs. Here’s why a nonprofit video marketing program is so important for your fundraising efforts.

Viken Mikaelian March 16, 2022 No Comments

Sustainability

Can Donors Use an Online Will Planner to Draft a Will?

Many fundraisers and advisors hold a deeply rooted belief that donors should always use an attorney to draft their wills. Yet many wealthy (and not-so-wealthy) individuals have had success with using an online will planner to handle their estates. This article looks at whether online will planners can be used for creating wills and bequests that support your non-profit.

Viken Mikaelian February 23, 2022 No Comments

Stewardship and Relationships

Donor Stories Motivate and Inspire Others to Give

Donor stories are among the most effective ways to reach and engage with your audience. That’s why it’s important to have a system in place to pursue, record and share donor stories. Use the tips in this article to help you effectively utilize donor stories for fundraising at your non-profit.

Viken Mikaelian February 21, 2022 No Comments

Stewardship and Relationships

Gifts for Donors or Legacy Society Members

Skip the mugs, paperweights, and branded junk that end up in a drawer—or the trash. Donors don’t want another generic “thank you.” They want to feel seen. A thoughtful gift that reflects their values or sparks nostalgia can create lasting emotional connections—and even open the door to future giving. One museum sent vintage postcards tied to their mission, and donors actually asked for more. It’s not about spending more—it’s about caring more. Thoughtful appreciation beats forgettable freebies every single time.

Viken Mikaelian February 21, 2022 No Comments