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.

Breakfast Keynote

"250th Anniversary of our Great Nation" presented by Kathryn Ott Lovell

In 2026, the United States will observe the 250th anniversary of its founding and philanthropic roots. The commemoration carries special significance for Philadelphia and the entire region. As host to the Continental Congress and witness to the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia is widely regarded as the birthplace of the United States. Philadelphia250, a nonprofit organization, was founded to help plan Philly’s 2026 Semiquincentennial celebrations. Learn more about the planning of the 250-themed activity centers and family-friendly programming to welcome visitors. Philly and surrounding communities are the places where you can experience the people, places, and purpose of the 250th Celebration. Everyone is welcome to participate in the upcoming Semiquincentennial to reflect on our history and to imagine our future.

Kathryn Ott Lovell is President and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center, which welcomed over 1.4 million visitors last year. Since joining the Visitor Center in July 2023, Lovell has introduced global brands like TKTS and The Sly Stallone Shop to Philadelphia’s visitor centers; welcomed ArtStar, a locally and women-owned and operated retail space featuring crafts and souvenirs from Philly-based artists and makers; and opened the Liberty Garden, a seasonal food and beverage concession in the Park. Lovell has also convened the Historic District Partners, a coalition of more than thirty historical and cultural institutions, to work together to increase visitation and resources to Independence National Historic Park and America’s most historic square mile. A civic leader and steadfast supporter of Philadelphia, Lovell served as Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation from 2016-2023. Ott Lovell has also spearheaded ambitious park projects including the transformation of FDR Park and the reimagining of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Prior to joining Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Lovell served as executive director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy. She also served as chief advancement officer for Mural Arts Philadelphia for six years, during a time of significant growth and programmatic shifts for the organization.

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.