2025 Planned Giving Day Conference

Our Theme this year, “Pathways to Legacy Giving,” embodies the enduring power of legacy giving for today and tomorrow. Given the increasing array of social, economic and political challenges within our philanthropic landscape, the planned giving community remains confident that donors will continue to provide generous support. Planned giving retains its prominent role as donors consider the benefits of deferred along with current giving strategies. Our conference is a destination for personal and professional growth and the authenticity necessary for our collaborative efforts with individual philanthropists, large and small, crafting charitable legacies for tomorrow. Planned Giving Day provides an understanding of various planned giving options and the necessary information to structure and implement these charitable giving strategies. We encourage you to submit presentations focused on the current environment – such as changing demographics, challenges in the financial market place, shifting national priorities and politics, blended gifts, and new marketing tools – and to illustrate their impact on philanthropic planning strategies.

Luncheon Keynote

"How the RIFT Project Helps Charities Navigate Unnecessary Hurdles for Donor Legacy Gifts" presented by Johni Hays

Nonprofits experience tremendous delays attempting to collect IRA death proceeds when their donors pass away. It can take months -- but more often a few years -- to get paid. The hassles are draconian forcing charities to open up an entirely separate, second account just to get their donor’s estate gift. What was once a simple transaction has now turned into an onerous and laborious process. Unfortunately, the financial companies have made it very difficult by forcing the charity to provide personal social security numbers, home addresses and drivers’ licenses that some charities refuse to put their staff at risk of identy theft. And with data breaches popping up everywhere, it’s a matter of when, not if, with the staff’s data. The good news is that the RIFT project is making great progress toward simplifying the process. Join us to learn which IRA custodians are problematic and which aren’t. Using tips and letters provided by the volunteer RIFT project, you’ll can receive your donor’s estate gift faster.

With more than 32 years of experience as a practicing attorney in charitable and estate planning, Johni Hays is a recognized leader with her expertise in charitable gift planning. Johni is an Executive Vice President with Thompson & Associates. In her volunteer time, Johni formed and leads the national RIFT project to support nonprofits who are having trouble receiving their donor’s gifts from financial institutions. She served as the president and continues to serve as faculty of the Charitable Estate Planning Institute. Johni is the author of the book, Essentials of Annuities and co-author of two books, The Tools and Techniques of Charitable Planning and Message from the Masters—our Best Donor Stories that Made a Difference. Johni serves on the Smithsonian’s Professional Advisors Network in Washington, DC.

In 2021, Johni was inducted into the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Hall of Fame and received their Distinguished Service Award in 2020. She also served on its board of directors and has been a charter member of its Leadership Institute. She served on the Editorial Advisory Board for the books Tax Facts on Investments and Tax Facts on Insurance and Employee Benefits. Johni graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1993. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Drake University and graduated magna cum laude in 1988. Johni has been a member of both the Iowa Bar and the Florida Bar since 1993. She resides in Johnston, Iowa, with her husband, Dave Schlindwein.

Early-Bird Registration is Open

Accommodations are available at the Inn at Villanova, the Radnor Hotel and the Residence Inn Conshohocken.