Certificates
Gift Planning Certificate
With more than $105 trillion passing to the next generation and $18 trillion to charities, now is the time for advisors to deepen their expertise in gift planning to effectively support their clients' philanthropic plans. The Gift Planning Certificate equips advisors with the knowledge and tools to help clients make meaningful, tax-efficient gifts that reflect their values and create lasting legacies.
This certificate program explores the fundamentals of gift planning, the giving vehicles every advisor should know about, and forward-thinking strategies for donating noncash assets. It also examines emerging trends in philanthropy and how advisors can leverage them to create positive outcomes for both clients and their communities.​ The curriculum blends technical expertise with cultural and values-driven insights, preparing advisors to navigate complex planning conversations and solutions for clients and the organizations they care about.
Source: Giving USA 2025 Report
In 2024, Americans gave $45.8 billion to charities through bequests — representing 8% of the nation’s total charitable giving of $592.5 billion.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
-
Understand the core principles of gift planning, including key giving vehicles and the strategic opportunities created through noncash gifts.
-
Equip advisors with practical tools and frameworks to help clients achieve their philanthropic goals and make a lasting impact through gifts from their estate and financial plans.
-
Evaluate how current giving trends, generational shifts, the great wealth transfer, and cultural nuances influence decision-making and long-term giving strategies.
FACULTY
Aquanetta Betts, JD, CAP®, AEP®, CFRE
Aquanetta Betts is the founder and principal consultant of Johnson Betts, LLC. She has experience helping nonprofits grow their planned giving pipelines, and she partners with professional advisors and charitable individuals on effective giving strategies.
Crystal Thompkins, CAP®, CSPG, IPA
Crystal Thompkins is Director of Strategic Impact at Daylight and founder and principal of TrueCrystal Consulting. She has a depth of experience in planned giving program management and philanthropic planning across the wealth spectrum, with a focus on increasing awareness of and access to gift planning resources and education.
Gift Planning Certificate Modules
-
What is Gift Planning?
-
Donor Motivations and Goals
-
Gift Planning Vehicles
-
Estate Planning Integration
-
Legacy and Succession
Course Format
Program Type: Certificate program - asynchronous course with module quizzes
Program Delivery: Readings, lectures, videos, graphics, downloadable advisor resources
Program Complexity Level: Intermediate
Daylight is an approved CE sponsor. Continuing education credits are pending for completion of the Gift Planning Certificate.
CFP®, CPWA®, CIMA®, RMA®
CAP®, CFRE, CSPGCM