About Us sign on rustic wooden background
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Your Bio Is Boring. Let’s Fix That.

Forget stiff, lifeless bios. Donors don’t leave legacies to titles—they give to real people. Warm, engaging staff bios build trust and spark connections before the first call. Keep it brief, add personality, and use a professional tone that reflects your mission. Include photos, credentials, and a fun detail or two. Your bio isn’t just an intro—it’s an invitation. Make it human. Make it memorable. Solid tips included.

CONTINUE READING →
Stewardship and Relationships
Viken Mikaelian

Money Never Starts An Idea

Looking for fundraising inspiration? Meet William John Cameron—barefoot pioneer, entrepreneur, and big game hunter who offers timeless wisdom for nonprofits. “Money never starts an idea; it is the idea that starts the money,” he reminds us. Stop waiting for perfect conditions or budgets before taking action. And remember, “Thanksgiving is a word of action”—gratitude isn’t just seasonal, it’s strategic. Cameron’s life teaches us that great fundraising requires only two things: a compelling idea and the courage to act.

CONTINUE READING →
Hand holding a magnifying glass over miniature wooden houses, symbolizing estate planning, property evaluation, and identifying assets for bequest marketing.
Bequests
Viken Mikaelian

Bequest Marketing: The Ultimate Guide to Your Most Essential Planned Giving Strategy

Bequest marketing is the cornerstone of effective planned giving strategies for nonprofits seeking sustainable funding. Unlike complex charitable vehicles, bequests are accessible to donors of all income levels, requiring no immediate financial commitment while yielding gifts 200-300 times larger than lifetime donations. By implementing strategic bequest marketing through multiple channels, nonprofits can build lasting donor relationships and secure their financial future with minimal resources. Start with bequest marketing before exploring more complex planned giving options—it’s the simplest, most effective approach to legacy fundraising.

CONTINUE READING →
Several matching gift boxes with ribbons that are similar
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Why Matching Gifts Matter

Matching gifts amplify donor impact, inspiring larger contributions and attracting new supporters. Smith College and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation leveraged this strategy with our expertly crafted landing pages, blending donor immersion and storyselling. These campaigns seamlessly integrate planned giving exposure into the donor journey—turning a simple match into a powerful, long-term giving strategy.

CONTINUE READING →
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Why Cutting Your Planned Giving Marketing is a Costly Mistake

Do you cut back on food when times are tough? If that were the case, everyone would be slim and trim right about now. Marketing is the meat and potatoes (sorry, bad pun) of any fundraising operation, and cutting back, especially in a tight economy, is a recipe (sorry again) for problems down the road.

CONTINUE READING →
Vaudeville-style couple dressed in vintage costumes, smiling with exaggerated expressions, representing the concept of the 'peanut gallery' and the need for face-to-face fundraising.
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Are You Wasting Your Best Pitch on People Who’ll Never Buy?

Most fundraisers waste their best material shouting at the wrong audience—posting, emailing, and calling people who will never give. Like a man ranting on his phone in public, they mistake noise for communication. Real influence happens face-to-face, where tone, body language, and trust come into play. If your message matters, don’t miniaturize it. Skip the peanut gallery. Get in the room, make it personal, and close the gift where real decisions are made.

CONTINUE READING →
Chart illustrating the strategic return on investment of planned giving and bequest giving
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

SROI and Planned Giving

S.R.O.I. In today’s competitive fundraising environment, nonprofits must think beyond immediate revenue and consider long-term sustainability. Planned giving is often viewed as a long-term revenue stream, but its true value extends beyond financial returns. By embracing a Strategic Return on Investment (SROI) approach, nonprofits can leverage planned giving not only for revenue but also to build authority, trust, and donor loyalty that lasts generations. The Strategic Return of Planned Giving Higher Gift Values and Lifelong Donor Engagement Planned gifts consistently outsize annual gifts by a significant margin. Research from Dr. Russell James, a leading expert in charitable giving psychology, highlights that donors who include a bequest in their will often increase their lifetime giving as well. This challenges the common misconception that planned giving cannibalizes other fundraising efforts. Instead, planned giving deepens donor commitment and reinforces their connection to the organization’s mission, leading to both immediate and future financial gains.

CONTINUE READING →
Hands holding a model house, symbolizing charitable real estate gifts to retirement home nonprofits.
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

No Risk Real Estate Exchange for Retirement Homes

The No-Risk Real Estate Exchange approach helps retirement communities fill vacancies faster by eliminating the biggest barrier: seniors waiting to sell their homes. Through a structured sale, seniors get immediate cash to cover move-in costs, while the remaining home value becomes a tax-deductible charitable gift. The process is fast, seamless, and zero-risk—funds are secured before move-in and directed into the community’s endowment. Seniors gain peace of mind and flexibility, while communities avoid delays and secure long-term financial stability.

CONTINUE READING →
Two fundraising executives looking at their planned giving budget on a computer. Has a pie chart from a spread sheet.
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Your Planned Giving Budget: A Simple Formula

More and more nonprofits are allocating funds to planned giving marketing, recognizing its power to secure long-term donor support. This quick guide outlines practical numbers for budgeting across small, medium, and larger organizations. Learn how to determine your overall marketing spend and allocate the right percentage to planned giving, ensuring your campaign is well-positioned for sustained legacy donations. With clear examples and proven success stories, this guide empowers nonprofits to strategically invest in their future financial stability for lasting impact.

CONTINUE READING →
LegacyPlanner™ Logo

Making Estate Planning Accessible, Simple, Personal, Secure and FREE!

Bequests are up, cash is down. Empower your donors to plan their will and invest their legacy in the cause they support the most.

Please reach out. Note: if you give us your mailing address (or PO Box), we’ll send you a complimentary Planned Giving Gift Comparison Chart. 

Please select:
How did you hear about us?