Starting the Planned Giving Conversation

Talking about planned giving doesn’t have to feel intimidating or overly technical. In fact, most meaningful legacy gifts begin with simple, genuine conversations. This session will focus on how to pique a donor’s interest in planned giving, or recognize the moments, comments, and donor behaviors that signal someone may be open to discussing a future gift.

We’ll walk through easy ways to bring up legacy giving naturally—without needing to be an expert in the mechanics of trusts or other complex vehicles. Instead, the emphasis is on understanding what motivates donors, asking thoughtful questions, and creating space for supporters to imagine the long‑term impact they can make.

The goal is to help fundraisers feel more confident and authentic when talking about legacy giving—whether in personal discussions or in the stories, materials, and outreach they share with the wider community.