Episode Details

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Russell James, a leading voice in planned giving strategy, psychology, and research. Russell brings his unique background as a lawyer, fundraiser, college president, and now professor at Texas Tech, to unpack the practical steps any nonprofit can take to start (or strengthen) a planned giving program.

From the “magic age” for engagement to the psychology behind why donors give at end-of-life, this episode is packed with insights, phrases, and donor stories you can start using today.

You’ll also learn:

• Why the biggest mistake fundraisers make is going radio silent on aging donors
• How to use donor stories to create a powerful social norm
• Which phrases work (and which don’t) when talking about estate gifts
• How to motivate legacy giving without triggering death-avoidance
• The secret to turning one legacy gift into two—starting now

Get your copy of The Socratic Fundraiser: https://www.encouragegenerosity.com/TheSocraticFundraiser.pdf

Get Russell’s other free resources here: https://encouragegenerosity.com/

Follow Encourage Generosity on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/encouragegenerosity/

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist