Give & Take

Discover the pros and cons of using a will template for your last will and testament. Learn about the legality, types, features, and when to consult an estate attorney.

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?

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.

Learn the definition of per stirpes and discover how to name beneficiaries per stirpes in a will. This comprehensive guide provides clarity on estate planning and ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

Learn how donating stock to charity can maximize your impact and tax benefits. Discover the advantages, methods, and step-by-step processes in this comprehensive guide.

Learn how to designate a beneficiary for a life insurance policy to ensure your loved ones receive the financial support they need promptly and efficiently.

Explore the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts for your estate planning needs.

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?

Discover the crucial differences between a last will and a living will to ensure your medical and financial wishes are honored.

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.

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.

Trendy fundraising tactics come and go—usually with little to show for it. The nonprofits that win big gifts and long-term loyalty understand one thing: donors are deciding if you’re worthy of their legacy. This article pulls no punches. It’s a call to abandon gimmicks and build something lasting. If you're serious about donor trust, planned giving, long-range impact—and your career—this isn’t just another blog post. It’s your wake-up call.