Visionary Voices

$A cracked ceramic bowl repaired with gold in the Japanese kintsugi tradition — a metaphor for legacy societies with hidden fractures that need attention$

Is Your Legacy Society Leaking?

Viken Mikaelian March 4, 2025

Most nonprofits track how many legacy society members they add. Almost none track how many they lose — not to death, but to neglect. Donors who quietly update their estate plans and remove you. No notification, no warning, no exit form. And the platforms counting your bequest “intentions”? They’re not measuring retention either. They’re measuring sign-ups. That’s not a pipeline — it’s a wish list. Your legacy society isn’t growing. It’s leaking.

An image of black coffee in a red mug, sitting on a napkin that has "Wake up! Make things happen." written on it, to illustrate a blog post about nonprofits facing a $65 Billion giving decline.

A $65 Billion Wake-Up Call for Nonprofits: Why Donors Are Pulling Back

Viken Mikaelian March 1, 2025

Nonprofit giving has declined by $65 billion since 2021, a staggering number influenced by multiple factors. Economic challenges like inflation and market volatility contribute, but there’s also a deeper crisis of confidence among major donors. Some feel that nonprofits, especially in higher education, no longer align with their values, leading to hesitation in giving. Additionally, the rise of presentism—judging historical figures by today’s standards—has led institutions to remove donor names from buildings, further eroding trust.

Two candles with an open book in memoriam conveying wisdom

Honoring the Legacy of Planned Giving Pioneers While Shaping the Future

Viken Mikaelian February 26, 2025

The planned giving community has lost two giants—Roger Schoenhals and Lindsay Lapole—whose contributions shaped the profession for generations. Roger, founder of Planned Giving Today, provided invaluable insights into the practice of planned giving, while Lindsay’s leadership at the ACGA strengthened governance and education in charitable gift annuities. Their legacies live on through the professionals they mentored and the programs they established. In recent years, we also lost Deb Ashton and Robert Sharpe—both dear to my heart and pillars of our field.

Zoomed in image of currency showing the capitol building in Washington DC

Why Grantmakers Are Getting Tougher With Nonprofits

Viken Mikaelian February 17, 2025

The free money era is over. Community foundations and major donors are done funding nonprofits that refuse to plan for the future. If your organization is still relying on grants and emergency appeals, you’re already on borrowed time. No more free rides—it’s survival of the smartest. Funders want to invest in organizations that take sustainability seriously, not those stuck in a cycle of dependency. Stop begging. Start planning. Build an endowment. Invest in planned giving. Adapt, or get left behind. Because in today’s nonprofit world, only the strong will survive.

A picture of a tin can with a pull tab. The label on the can says "risk," to symbolize that fundraisers and nonprofits must be willing to prioritize fundraising over government grants. This ensures stability, while grant funding remains uncertain and restrictive.

No One Ever Made Money by Panicking

Viken Mikaelian February 10, 2025

With potential government funding cuts, nonprofits must resist fear-driven reactions and focus on what truly secures their future: philanthropy. Grants come and go, but donor relationships, major gifts, and planned giving provide long-term stability. Relying on political shifts is a gamble—fundraising is the only strategy that puts nonprofits in control. Every handout comes with strings attached, and eventually, those strings can tighten. Now is the time to invest in donor engagement, think strategically, and build financial independence. The strongest nonprofits aren’t the ones that panic; they’re the ones that plan.

Sign that reads "it's all about relatioships."

The Power of Relationships in Fundraising: Why ‘I’m With Them’ Matters

Russell James III, Ph.D., J.D., CFP® February 9, 2025

Fundraising is about relationships, not transactions. Dr. Russell James, in The Primal Fundraiser, explains how donor psychology is driven by two key principles: subjective similarity (“I’m like them!”) and reciprocal alliances (“I’m with them!”). Donors give more when they feel a deep connection—not just support, but true belonging. Fundraisers can foster this by using identity-driven storytelling, inclusive language, and recognition that makes donors feel like partners. When donors shift from giving to belonging, they commit for life, leading to larger and longer-lasting gifts. Strengthen relationships, and you’ll strengthen giving.

A sign that says, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." It illustrates the concept of the power of curiosity.

Be Curious: The Key to Better Donor Relationships

Jay Duggan February 4, 2025

Successful fundraising isn’t just about asking for money—it’s about building relationships. The key? Curiosity. Engaging with donors through meaningful conversations can uncover their motivations, passions, and capacity for giving. Instead of diving straight into an ask, focus on listening—understanding why they support your nonprofit and what impact matters most to them. By asking the right questions, expressing gratitude, and securing future touchpoints, you create deeper connections that lead to long-term giving. Learn how to structure effective donor discovery meetings that open doors to major and legacy gifts while strengthening donor trust.

You Can’t Deposit Intentions

Joe Garecht February 1, 2025

The Real Cost of Free Planned Giving Platforms The Promise vs. The Reality Free planned giving platforms made a compelling pitch: Make it easy for

Why a Balanced Fundraising Approach is More Important Now Than Ever

Michael Bittel January 30, 2025

Is your strategy built to last? Relying too much on one revenue source—events, grants, or major gifts—can leave your nonprofit vulnerable when the unexpected hits. A balanced fundraising approach is the key to long-term financial stability. In this article, Michael Bittel and Viken Mikaelian break down the three essential pillars of a resilient fundraising strategy: annual giving, major gifts, and the most overlooked revenue stream—planned giving. Learn why nonprofits that diversify survive, and how a surprise $683,000 bequest saved an organization from disaster. Don’t leave your future to chance—read now and strengthen your nonprofit’s financial foundation.