Princeton University's Gift Planning program faced a challenge as to how to bring more content-rich programming to its legacy society members and create awareness about planned gifts. Members, many of whom are retired, expressed their desire to participate in our events but found the distance and travel a barrier. As a solution, Princeton Gift Planning launched a webinar series that offers hour-long programs on personal finance, philanthropy, and estate planning, delivered by experts from its alumni community. Branded under the banner of its legacy giving society but open to all, the seminars can be viewed live or at the viewer's convenience anytime, and are promoted by email and web. Participation has been phenomenal, far outpacing participation at traditional planned giving events. It is now the program's greatest generator of leads, averaging 300 registrants per seminar to date.
From the Judges
Outstanding concept with clear goals, an innovative approach and defined outcomes. It is evident that this event concept could be replicated as an initiative across all educational institutions. Use of budget is very clearly on a shoestring, in that there was a zero budget to be able to host this webinar series. An innovative way of leveraging a concept as a stewardship opportunity.
