Hollywood had its big night—now it’s our turn! Stelter’s Senior Gift Planning Consultant Lynn M. Gaumer, J.D., CAP®, is in with her awards for outstanding gift vehicles in 2025.
This year, inspired by the magic of Wicked, we’re soaring high with an emerald theme to celebrate planned giving vehicles that truly defy gravity. We also take inspiration from acclaimed films Anora, Dune: Part Two and Conclave, all of which took home Oscar® wins, as well as A Complete Unknown, a nominee that captured audiences with its storytelling. Just as their writers, actors and directors used their creative gifts to tell captivating stories, planned gifts allow donors to write their own legacies.
So, grab your broomstick—or your popcorn—and join us as we shine a spotlight on the stars of planned giving.
And the Winners Are…
Much like Wicked and Dune: Part Two, which transport audiences to breathtaking worlds with unforgettable characters, the following planned giving vehicles have dazzled donors and nonprofits alike with their lasting impact.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Just as the story of Wicked’s Elphaba continues to resonate across generations, gifts in wills and trusts remain a lasting force for good. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to this enduring vehicle, which ensures donors’ legacies live on. A great report from Sea Change Strategies, highlighted in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, found that 31% of mid-level donors have made a bequest and 23% are considering it. The report defines mid-level donors as those who give $1,000 to $10,000 annually. The lion’s share are either baby boomers (61%) or members of the silent generation (21%).
The survey found most mid-level donors connected with their favorite causes when they were young —72% engaged with their cause by the age of 39! This is great research to use when developing your planned giving marketing program and the list of donors you are connecting with.
Golden Legacy Award
“Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” These words from Wicked perfectly encapsulate the transformative power of beneficiary designations. This year’s Golden Legacy Award winner allows donors to ensure their favorite causes benefit from retirement accounts or life insurance policies.
These philanthropic powerhouses are the backbone of planned giving, providing donors with a simple yet impactful way to leave a lasting legacy. By naming your organization as a beneficiary of their retirement accounts or life insurance policies, donors ensure that their support continues long into the future. And with over $42 trillion (and growing) held in retirement accounts, now is a golden opportunity to highlight these gifts in your marketing material.
Remember to encourage donors to notify you of their gift so you can collect the proceeds in a timely manner. But don’t let your donors be A Complete Unknown! Encourage them to notify you of their gift so your organization can honor their generosity and use the funds as they intend. This question can be easily added to a reply card as part of your direct mail package or as part of a form on your website.
Silver Screen Star Award
If charitable gift annuities had a theme song, it might be “Popular.” They’re a smash hit among donors 60 and older—especially those who have already made a CGA. The Silver Screen Star Award celebrates the shining success of CGAs! What makes the CGA stand out among its peers? It’s the gift that gives back. The American Council on Gift Annuities decided to keep the high gift annuity rates intact for at least the first half of 2025, so that means more retirement income for your donors.
Director’s Cut Award
Much like the intricate storytelling of Conclave, which gives its central figures control over a monumental decision, the Director’s Cut Award applauds donor advised funds. These allow donors to direct funds to various causes with ease and purpose. DAFs continue to be a growing force in philanthropy. National Philanthropic Trust reports that over $251 billion is currently sitting in DAFs awaiting distribution to charitable causes. If you haven’t seen the 2024 National Study on Donor Advised Funds, take a look—it’s the most extensive independent study on DAFs.
Diamond Award
The brilliance of appreciated stock as a gift vehicle shines like Ani’s 4-carat diamond ring in Anora, earning it the Diamond Award. This tax-savvy strategy allows donors to avoid capital gains taxes while supporting their favorite nonprofits. Like the surprising film whose 5 Oscar® wins will assuredly bring in more moviegoers, appreciated securities intrigue donors with their tax-wise giving strategy.
By donating securities that have increased in value, donors can qualify for an income tax deduction and avoid capital gains taxes. Remember this fascinating stat: Dr. Russell James found that nonprofit organizations consistently receiving gifts of stocks or bonds grew their contributions six times faster than those receiving only cash.
And finally, the Best Planned Gift of 2025 Is…
A gift from your IRA! Like a box-office hit wows crowds, qualified charitable distributions dazzle donors with their tax-smart approach to giving. IRA owners age 70½ or older can give up to $108,000 in 2025, or they can make a one-time election of up to $54,000 in 2025 to fund a CGA with a QCD.
These charitable champions support your organization while minimizing tax liabilities—and they count toward a donor’s required minimum distribution! Consider this: By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 and older. That’s a lot of potential IRA gifts on the horizon. Some movies are timeless, and this gift is no different.
And That’s a Wrap!
Congratulations to all our winners! As we close the curtain on this year’s awards, we hope you’re inspired to “think unlimited” and make 2025 your most impactful year yet. Just as A Complete Unknown explores the evolution of a cultural legend, planned giving allows donors to shape their legacy over time—adapting, redefining and ultimately leaving a lasting mark on the causes they cherish. And now, onto the afterparty (aka Next Steps).
Next Steps
Remember, “there’s no place like home” when it comes to connecting with your donors. Keep inspiring them to leave a legacy that defies gravity. “Goodness knows” that my award for outstanding philanthropy is reserved for you, for your unwavering commitment to change our world “for good”—one charitable gift at a time.