I will summarize some of my research findings about bequests and I will explain why I utilized the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) publicly available dataset. Specifically, I will discuss my research comparing Caucasians and African Americans on their self-rated importance of leaving a bequest to family, charity, and religion, possible reasons for the bequest gap, and what opportunities this presents for education and service to an underserved community. I will wrap up with my study that explores whether lifetime donors to different types of charities also differ in the importance they place on leaving a charitable bequest. As a whole, individuals give more during life, through annual and major gifts, than they do at death. Many of these donors are an untapped resource for planned gifts, some more than others, and this data about which donor types are most likely to be interested in a charitable bequest could inform our conversations about philanthropy.

Professional schools, nestled within the ecosystem of a larger university, face unique challenges in engaging their alumni base and fundraising for their priorities. Building a robust reporting infrastructure has become a strategic imperative for these institutions, given the intricate dynamics at play. In this presentation, we will delve into the journey of establishing a comprehensive reporting system for Yale Law School , seamlessly integrating giving data, prospect ratings, and gift officer metrics. What sets this initiative apart is its commitment to creating an intuitive reporting portal that empowers not only technical experts but also non-technical staff. We will explore the complexities encountered, the solutions implemented, and the transformative impact achieved, recognizing the distinct challenges and opportunities that arise when aligning the goals of a unit with those of a broader academic institution. Join us as we unveil a blueprint for data-driven decision-making that enables professional schools, as integral units within a larger university, to foster alumni relationships and drive philanthropic success with confidence and in harmony with the broader mission of the institution.

As personalized and curated experiences continue to take over digital and commercial spaces, donor engagement teams must continually innovate to keep up. All-in-one solutions can provide small teams with scalable platforms and comprehensive tools that drive results, but they often come with limitations in product development that don’t meet the needs of individual clients. Over the last year, Georgia State University’s Donor Engagement and Communications team has used data analysis, strategic engagement and personalized outreach to develop an internal donor experience program focused on long-term results: the acquisition and retention of mid-level donors with the aim of carrying them through the “murky middle” and establishing them as our next generation of major donors.