Viken Mikaelian

What Is Planned Giving and Why Does It Matter?  Planned giving, also known as legacy giving, is the art of securing future gifts from donors through their estate plans. These gifts are often the largest and most impactful contributions a donor will ever make—with the average planned gift ranging from 200-300 times larger than a typical annual donation. Consider how a small environmental nonprofit transformed its future with just three bequests in its first year of planned giving: these gifts

100 Fundraising Delusions (and the People Who Still Believe Them) isn’t a blog. It’s a mirror—and not the flattering kind. After 26 years in this business, I’ve heard it all: the excuses, the sacred cows, the budget-killing fantasy thinking. From “We need younger donors” to “We’ve got FreeWill, so we’re covered,” this list delivers 100 cold truths—each one a quiet reason your fundraising isn’t working. If you see yourself in a few, congratulations—you’re self-aware. If you don’t see yourself at all?
Well… that’s Delusion No. 100.

Originally published in September 2012. Updated in 2025. How Internal Silos Hurt Donor Relationships and Revenue Summary: Many organizations still operate under the outdated belief that planned giving cannibalizes annual giving. In reality, donors who commit to legacy gifts often increase their annual contributions. This post explores the importance of cross-departmental collaboration and how to unlock the full value of loyal donors by embracing a donor-centered approach. The Question We Received We were recently asked a practical and pressing question:

Thinking of hosting a Planned Giving Seminar? Great—if your goal is to perfect the sound of silence. Most people would rather organize their sock drawer than attend something that sounds like a tax lecture. Want them to actually show up? Call it “Estate Planning for Grown-Ups Who Don’t Want Chaos.” Talk about protecting their family, not charitable trusts. Trust us—once they’ve planned for their dog, their alma mater might just sneak into the will.