Key Foundational Components for a Strong Planned Giving Program

Planned giving can be one of the most powerful drivers of long-term nonprofit sustainability. Bequests and other legacy gifts are often the largest contributions an organization will ever receive. They deepen donor loyalty, stabilize future revenue, and connect supporters’ personal legacies to mission impact.
At the same time, we are experiencing the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. Donors are updating wills, making estate planning decisions, and planning the distribution of assets right now. Nonprofits that are not present in those conversations risk being left behind.

Both allow donors to support causes they love. Both offer tax advantages. And both represent billions of charitable dollars waiting to be activated. Yet many donors — and even nonprofits — still find them confusing. LifeLegacy, the leading planned giving platform for nonprofits, understands this challenge.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what these tools are, why they matter, and how nonprofits can help donors move from intention to action. Let’s start with the definitions.

Over the past decade, digital estate planning tools have transformed how nonprofits introduce planned giving to donors. These platforms have helped modernize an area of fundraising that was long overdue for innovation. But as more nonprofits adopt these tools, an important distinction has emerged: