Planned Giving 101: Knowing Enough to Be Dangerous

You do not need to be a planned giving expert to have meaningful conversations with donors. This practical session is designed to equip fundraisers with the essential knowledge needed to recognize opportunities and confidently introduce some of the most common charitable gift vehicles. Participants will learn the top three things they need to know about five popular giving methods: appreciated stock, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), retirement plan beneficiary designations, bequests, and donor-advised funds (DAFs). The presentation focuses on understanding basic benefits and asking simple questions that can open the door to deeper discussions. By the end of the session, attendees will recognize when a gift vehicle may be appropriate and initiate conversations with greater confidence. The goal is not to master the technical details, but to know enough to motivate and engage donors while uncovering meaningful philanthropic opportunities.

About Our Speaker

Brena Baumann-Gonzalez, JD is an Associate Chief Development Officer – Gift Planning at Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation. She has 30+ years of fundraising experience with most of her career leading gift planning teams in the Texas Medical Center at Houston Methodist, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. Most recently Brena was the Executive Director of Development at the University of Houston Law Center. Brena is a past-president of Charitable Gift Planners Houston and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Houston Chapter. She is on the Charitable Gift Planners Houston board of directors.
Brena received her JD from the University of Houston Law Center and her BA from Houston Christian University. She is a native Houstonian. 

CFRE Credit: Approved for 1.0 CE Point