Ep 17. Most nonprofits spend countless hours pursuing annual donations, yet overlook one of the greatest opportunities for lasting impact. In this insightful episode of Passion Inspires, Jeff sits down with Mike Buwalda, founder of Money for Ministry (now Canopy Giving), to explore how legacy giving can transform the future of nonprofit organizations—not through complicated legal strategies, but through meaningful relationships built on trust, faith, and family. Mike shares the remarkable story of how an unexpected assignment at a small Christian school eventually led him to develop a nationally recognized approach to planned giving that has helped nonprofits build more than $1 billion in documented legacy gift commitments. Along the way, he reveals why the most valuable donors are often not the wealthiest, but the most faithful. Together, Jeff and Mike challenge many of the assumptions nonprofits hold about fundraising. They discuss why organizations should stop chasing wealth indicators and instead focus on loyalty, why planned giving conversations should center on values instead of death and legal terminology, and how simply listening to donors can uncover opportunities no marketing strategy ever could. The conversation also dives into practical strategies any nonprofit can begin implementing today—from creating donor-centered messaging and building organization-wide ownership of legacy giving to cultivating deeper relationships that strengthen both current generosity and future impact.

#LegacyGiving #PlannedGiving #Fundraising #NonprofitLeadership #FundraisingStrategy #DonorRelations #Philanthropy #Stewardship #ChristianLeadership #MissionDriven #Generosity #NonprofitMarketing #MajorGifts #PassionInspires #Podcast