Ep. 106 - The Importance of Donor Intent

Most donors overlook the one thing that could undermine their entire legacy: donor intent—and a simple strategy to safeguard it. In this episode of Giving Ventures, we’re sharing a recent webinar we hosted for our clients on the topic of donor intent. Kim Dennis, co-founder of DonorsTrust and a longtime advocate for protecting donor intent, reveals how the concept of donor intent was born out of resistance to external pressures—and why it’s more relevant today than ever. Discover how well-crafted donor intent statements can prevent your philanthropic vision from drifting, even when organizations change or close their doors. You’ll learn specific tactics for clarifying and recording your intent, including the critical importance of granular, airtight language. Kim shares the wisdom behind “sunsetting” accounts, the most effective ways to prepare for organizational shifts, and how engaging your advisors and successors now can ensure your values endure. ⁠Webinar on crafting your donor intent statement (4/22/26)⁠ ⁠Webinar on how DonorsTrust safeguards donor intent (5/12/26)