In 2021, we renewed our sponsorship opportunities to better reflect our return to in-person events after June 30^th 2021. We hope to host our premier educational venue – the Planned Giving Day Conference – in-person again at the Union League in Philadelphia on October 27^th 2021. Please click the link below to view a list of our sponsorship opportunities for both virtual and in-person events in 2021.

Click here to view and download our sponsorship details. 

High Propensity Donors: Who are they?

High propensity donors are the best prospects for making a major gift of assets or planned gift. They have both the ability to give and interest in giving to your organization. But, how do you know who they are? In this session, Dr. Eddie Thompson will reveal fourteen characteristics of high propensity donors based on both his own extensive experience and research by his firm, Thompson & Associates.

We anticipate that by participating in this session, participant will better understand:

• The characteristics of high propensity donors
• The best methods and techniques, which HP donors find attractive
• The reason why a few organizations secure gifts from HP donors

Eddie Thompson, Ed.D., FCEP founded the unique Thompson & Associates process in 1996 (then, under TrustMark Charitable Strategies) and later incorporating as its own entity in 2005.  As CEO of Thompson & Associates, Eddie provides leadership and direction to over 35 seasoned charitable estate planners with an inspiring sense of generosity, integrity and passion for helping others. 

By creating a unique values-based model at Thompson & Associates, Eddie and his team have established a way for people to dedicate the necessary time to consider important life decisions and to engage in thoughtful discussion that leads to optimal results for all.  

He has planned thousands of estates, which has generated billions of dollars to charity during his thirty plus years working with nonprofits.  Eddie speaks to organizations from coast to coast on successful fundraising techniques, nonprofit management and charitable estate planning and has garnered many honors during his distinguished career.  He credits his parents with shaping his personal and professional path; they were very poor, but very generous. 

Eddie serves as the Chair of the Charitable Estate Planning Institute, a 501(c)(3) public charity offering top level education on charitable estate planning for development staff, gift planning officers and professional advisors. Eddie and a group of Thompson & Associates colleagues formed the Institute in 2012.  He is also a Fellow in Charitable Estate Planning (FCEP) awarded by the Institute. 

A native of Florida, Eddie and his wife, Sheryl, have been married over more than 40 years and have made Nashville their home. They have two sons, one daughter and four grandchildren.  Eddie and his family are involved in many community organizations and their church. He is an instrument pilot with both land and seaplane ratings.

Our theme this year, “The Power of Legacy”, reflects the enduring power of legacy giving for today and tomorrow. Planned Giving Day provides an opportunity for professionals at all levels to enhance their skill set, to collaborate with others in the field and to gain inspiration from the collective efforts we all bring to enrich our shared communities. Break-out sessions provide a wide range of perspectives unique to the field. Learn more about emerging challenges and innovations in philanthropy to work effectively with donors large and small. Explore essential charitable giving strategies and techniques.

Morning Keynote Speaker - Andrea L. Custis

As of July 2017, Andrea Custis has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Philadelphia (ULP). Since 1917, the Urban League of Philadelphia has worked to bend the arc of history. The Urban League of Philadelphia is an affiliate of the National Urban League, one of the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movements dedicated to empowering underserved urban communities. Her session will focus on the ULP's belief that our common dreams are stronger than the things that divide us. Economic independence and social mobility are only possible when individuals, civic organizations, corporations, and public officials can build bridges and work together. As a nonprofit, civil rights and advocacy organization, this is the mission of the ULP.  The ULP's Invest in Opportunity Strategic Plan clearly defines their function as a bridge connecting individuals, civic organizations, corporations, and public officials in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Luncheon Keynote Speaker - Robert F. Sharpe, Jr.

Robert is CEO of Encore, a leading philanthropic management consulting firm. He is a nationally recognized leader and authority in the field of philanthropy. During more than three decades of service to thousands of America’s nonprofits, he has consulted with educational, health, social service, arts and religious organizations and institutions in the planning and implementation of their major, planned gift and endowment development efforts. His session, “The Pandemic and Philanthropy - What have we learned and where do we go from here?", will explore five primary factors that taken together have proven the best barometers of funding success in the midst of COVID-19, and also help shed light on the nature of the recovery as the pandemic recedes. A summary of new and proposed tax legislation and an overview of the possible impact on popular charitable planning vehicles will also be included.

2021 Planned Giving Day Conference Brochure

Early bird registration is closed.

Cancellations must be in writing and made no later than Friday, October 22, 2021.

All attendees must be prepared to show proof of vaccination at the Union League of Philadelphia and masks are recommended.