Category: Planned Giving

When it comes to planned giving, relationships are everything. The more you understand a supporter’s history of engagement, their volunteer hours, the events they attend, and the causes they show up for, the more naturally you can invite them to build a legacy with your organization.
The right volunteer management software can help nonprofits connect the dots between service and philanthropy, turning engagement into long-term generosity. This guide explores what to look for when evaluating volunteer management platforms and compares several top options that make this integration easier.

Planned giving is no longer a niche fundraising tactic. It has quietly become one of the most reliable, high-ROI revenue streams available to nonprofits today. And while major gifts and annual appeals often steal the spotlight, the data shows that planned gifts consistently deliver transformational impact.
If your organization is preparing for long-term sustainability, building or expanding your planned giving program is one of the most important steps you can take this year. Here is why.

If your nonprofit is looking for its next reliable growth engine, here is a surprising truth from nearly four centuries of data. Planned giving has been one of the most consistent, predictable, and mission-transforming revenue streams in philanthropic history. And thanks to the work of Dr. Russell James, whose 380-year analysis of American charitable bequest behavior remains the most comprehensive in the field, we can finally see the patterns clearly.
Spoiler. They all point to one thing. Planned giving is not emerging. It is enduring.
So let’s explore what four centuries of donor history can teach us.

The fundraising landscape is shifting fast, and one thing is clear. Planned giving is no longer a back-of-house function. It is becoming one of the most reliable and strategic revenue engines for nonprofits of every size.

As donors adopt digital tools across every part of their lives, organizations are turning to online platforms to modernize planned giving. But here is the honest truth that nonprofit leaders already know. Not all planned giving platforms are built with nonprofits in mind.

Planned giving doesn’t have to be complicated, but for many nonprofits, it still feels that way. For years, legacy gifts have depended on personal outreach, mailers, and in-person events to keep donors engaged. That approach worked for a while, but times are changing.

For many nonprofits, gifts from long-time supporters over age 70½ represent a vital source of stability and growth. Yet, one of the most powerful giving tools available to this group remains underutilized: the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

Discover how your nonprofit can refine its planned giving strategies to respond to new trends, incorporate best practices, and exceed donor expectations.

Managing a nonprofit in 2025 has never been more challenging—or more full of opportunity. As donor engagement expectations shift toward digital convenience and personalization, nonprofits that embrace modern technology are better positioned to control costs, strengthen relationships, and grow current and future gifts. By leveraging the right tools, organizations can maximize communication, engagement, and fundraising outcomes.

Retaining donors is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. Learn practical strategies nonprofits can use to improve donor retention and grow sustainably.

If you need a single, compelling reason to prioritize planned giving this year, here it is: around 46 billion dollars flows to charities every year through bequests. In fact, the latest Giving USA numbers show that bequests in 2024 totaled about $45.84 billion—roughly 8% of all U.S. charitable giving for the year. That’s not a rounding error; it’s a transformative funding stream your mission can’t afford to ignore.