Viken Mikaelian

Modern home floating on clouds, symbolizing how real estate gifts can elevate charitable impact and legacy giving
Real Estate Donations
Viken Mikaelian

Only the Top 1% of Nonprofits Accept Gifts of Real Estate

Nonprofits are leaving billions on the table—not because donors aren’t willing, but because fundraisers are too afraid to ask for real estate. Myths, fear, and ignorance have paralyzed the sector. Meanwhile, $35 trillion in property is changing hands over the next two decades. Still think bake sales will cut it? Like Willie Sutton said about robbing banks: “Because that’s where the money is.” Real estate is where the money is. The smart fundraisers already know it. Do you?

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Vibrant tree with deep roots and silhouetted people holding hands, symbolizing unity, legacy, growth, and community impact
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Build a Legacy Society People Actually Join

Most legacy societies fail quietly—created with enthusiasm, then forgotten. This guide breaks that cycle with a proven roadmap to build or revive a legacy society that truly works. You’ll learn how to choose a name that resonates, attract founding members, keep them engaged, and most importantly—sell through stories, not just tell them. Whether you’re starting from scratch or dusting off an old initiative, this is your actionable playbook for legacy giving that inspires and endures.

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Intelligence centers for data analytics
New Opportunities
Viken Mikaelian

Planned Giving Analytics: Right Tool, Right Scale

Some nonprofits are exploring expensive analytics platforms for planned giving—complete with dashboards, donor heatmaps, and predictive scoring tools—”intelligence tools” as they are called. Often, these are rebranded business intelligence tools that have been given a “legacy twist” and called innovation. But here’s the question: Is this the right tool for organizations like yours? These platforms can generate meaningful insights… if you have 2,000,000+ prospects to analyze. But when your donor file has less than 100,000 people, do you need predictive algorithms to tell you who cares about your mission?

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Where’s Your Elevator Pitch?
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

The Elevator Opens: Are You Ready to Talk Planned Giving?

Master your elevator pitches. You have eight seconds to make an impression—are you ready? Whether it’s a reunion, a luncheon, or a chance encounter, your ability to start a meaningful conversation about legacy giving matters. This guide offers 25 ultra-brief, donor-specific elevator pitches you can memorize and use anywhere. Organized by giving vehicle and donor motivation, each one is crafted to spark curiosity and open the door to deeper discussion.

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Watercolor rendering of children at play under a bright sun
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

A Legacy of Hope: How Planned Giving is Transforming Lives at St. Jude

Through legacy gifts, donors like Angela and Terrell Richards and Hilda and Arnulfo Miramontes are transforming lives at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their stories show how planned giving—through wills, trusts, and heartfelt commitments—ensures children battling catastrophic illnesses receive lifesaving care, free of charge. This article honors their legacies and invites readers to consider their own. Because leaving a legacy isn’t about wealth—it’s about impact, compassion, and giving children a future worth fighting for.

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