First Day Podcast

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Christopher Beck, CAP, Principal Gift Advisor at ALSAC/St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, to demystify the complexities of planned gift fundraising. Often seen as daunting and overly technical, planned giving involves helping donors consider their legacy while navigating tax and estate planning strategies. Christopher shares insights on how fundraisers can overcome these challenges by focusing on relationships, listening for donor cues, and fostering meaningful conversations about long-term philanthropic impact. A central theme of the discussion is the collaborative nature of planned giving. Christopher emphasizes that success in planned gift fundraising is a team effort. Donors typically involve family members, CPAs, and attorneys in their decisions, and fundraisers must also rely on colleagues and external experts to address technical complexities. While planned giving can be a lengthy process, its foundation lies in