2026 Planned Giving Day Conference
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Inn at Villanova

Our theme this year, “Legacy Reflections,” embodies the enduring power of legacy giving for today and tomorrow. Given the increasing array of social, economic and political challenges within our philanthropic landscape, the planned giving community remains confident that donors will continue to provide generous support. Planned giving retains its prominent role as donors reflect upon their personal legacies as well as consider the benefits of deferred along with current giving strategies. Our conference is a destination for personal and professional growth and the authenticity necessary for our collaborative efforts with individual philanthropists, large and small, crafting charitable legacies for tomorrow. Planned Giving Day provides an understanding of various planned giving options and the necessary information to structure and implement these charitable giving strategies. 

Morning Keynote Speaker

Viken Mikaelian is the Founder and CEO of PlannedGiving.com, a leading planned giving marketing platform launched in 1998 — the same year Google was founded. Over 26 years, he has worked with more than 5,000 nonprofit clients and reached tens of thousands more through publications, boot camps, webinars, and advisory work. A nationally recognized speaker and author, he has presented at more than 500 fundraising conferences and authored over 1,500 articles on planned giving and philanthropy. Viken is donating his speaking fee to the Planned Giving Council of Greater Philadelphia.

The Bald Head in the Room

Viken Mikaelian has worked with over 5,000 nonprofits. He could deliver a safe, predictable keynote. He won’t.

Research shows that only 2% of fundraisers ever truly master the legacy conversation. This session is for those who intend to be in that 2%.

Built around short true stories, honest questions, and the theme of the day — Legacy Reflections — this is an interactive keynote where the audience matters as much as the speaker.

Expect laughs. Expect silence. Expect to be part of the conversation.

Bring your own stories. Viken will bring the questions.

Accommodations are available at the Inn at Villanova, the Radnor Hotel and the Residence Inn Conshohocken.