Through legacy gifts, donors like Angela and Terrell Richards and Hilda and Arnulfo Miramontes are transforming lives at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their stories show how planned giving—through wills, trusts, and heartfelt commitments—ensures children battling catastrophic illnesses receive lifesaving care, free of charge. This article honors their legacies and invites readers to consider their own. Because leaving a legacy isn’t about wealth—it’s about impact, compassion, and giving children a future worth fighting for.

Introduction: What Is Planned Giving and Why Does It Matter?  Planned giving, also known as legacy giving, is the art of securing future gifts from donors through their estate plans. These gifts are often the largest and most impactful contributions a donor will ever make—with the average planned gift ranging from 200-300 times larger than a typical annual donation. Consider how a small environmental nonprofit transformed its future with just three bequests in its first year of planned giving: these gifts secured enough funding to protect 250 acres of critical habitat in perpetuity. Yet, many nonprofits hesitate to launch their own planned giving program, assuming they lack the expertise or resources. The truth is: Planned giving is a people business, not a legal business™. And it’s never too early to start. This guide offers the most practical, scalable approach to launching a planned giving program—even if you’re a small nonprofit