Events

In America is a Given Place you will learn the deepest original foundations of gift planning in the U.S. by seeing major events, appreciating important innovations, and re-enacting landmark national debates and resulting legislation.

Where do charitable gift planners, fund raisers, trust officers, attorneys and financial advisors turn for knowledge of events that shape their work today?

In this entertaining webinar you will learn the foundations of gift planning in the U.S. by seeing major donors and events, appreciating innovations, and reliving landmark debates and resulting legislation.

What will you gain by participating in America is a Given Place? Knowing the history of charitable gift planning is quite useful, even indispensable, for people who encourage or advise donors. Here is a sampler of your benefits:

  • You will understand the principles behind laws, regulations and practices, so you can explain why things work the way they do
  • History informs your marketing. Stories of realized bequests and trusts are historical narratives!
  • Good stories provide you with insights into how donors, planners, & policymakers saw themselves and their mission, and inspire you to connect more deeply
  • Historical trends in mortality and investment returns play a fundamental role in your gift design and tax calculations
  • History enables you to know yourself and your important role in America’s highly evolved system of philanthropy

The bottom line is: you will be a better-informed, more effective gift planner.

About Ron Brown

America is a Given Place is based on 40 years as a charitable gift planner, including 15 years as director of gift planning at Princeton University. Ron served on the boards of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the American Council on Gift Annuities. In 2019 the Philanthropic Planning Group of Greater New York selected him for a distinguished service award.

Ron was trained as a professional historian 30 years ago and has devoted thousands of hours to scholarly research and writing. I published some of the results in A History of Charitable GiftPlanning.