Episode 14 - From Payroll Panic to Financial Stability: Why Schools Need Legacy Donors with Lindsay Kopecky

In this episode of Date Your Donors, host Jonah Halper sits down with Lindsay Kopecky, CFRE, CAP®, Chief Advancement Officer at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. The conversation dives into the importance of legacy and endowment giving in philanthropy, particularly in the Jewish education space. Lindsay explains the key differences between legacy giving and endowment funds, emphasizing how long-term financial planning can transform the sustainability of Jewish institutions. She highlights how legacy gifts allow donors to leave a lasting impact beyond their lifetime, ensuring that their values continue to shape the future. Endowments, on the other hand, provide schools and organizations with reliable, ongoing financial support. Jonah and Lindsay discuss the practical steps institutions must take to build an infrastructure for legacy and endowment giving, including board buy-in, donor stewardship, and engaging potential donors through meaningful conversations about their philanthropic vision. Lindsay also shares best practices for nurturing donor relationships, stressing the power of asking thoughtful questions and listening actively rather than treating fundraising as a sales pitch. Additionally, they explore how organizations can identify strong legacy giving prospects—not just major donors, but those with consistent giving histories and a deep commitment to the mission. Lindsay offers insights into tools like the Jewish Future Promise and Life & Legacy program, which help facilitate planned giving conversations and encourage donors to prioritize Jewish causes in their philanthropic planning. Throughout the episode, Jonah and Lindsay stress the need for long-term thinking in Jewish education fundraising, urging schools to move beyond the urgency of annual campaigns and start planting the seeds for a sustainable future.