AFP ON, Golden Horseshoe Chapter Event: Gift Agreements: Getting Everyone on the ‘Same Page'
October 20, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Gift agreements are essential tools for ensuring clarity and alignment between donors and charities. But without careful planning and communication, advancement and fundraising teams can sometimes agree to terms that create long-term challenges.
In this session, legal experts from Gowling WLG will guide us through the ins and outs of donor gift agreements, highlighting both risks and best practices to help fundraising professionals feel confident and prepared.
Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on real-life scenarios or questions they’ve encountered within their teams related to gift agreements, ensuring a highly practical and engaging discussion.
Key Takeaways:
- Without careful planning and clear communications within advancement and fundraising teams, charities may inadvertently agree to clauses in gift agreements with donors that are not in the best interests of the charity long-term.
- Gift agreements can be formal or take a more informal form which may surprise you.
- Clear planning and communications within advancement and fundraising teams can mitigate risks caused by charities agreeing to terms in gift agreements that they shouldn’t and also ensure positive donor relations from Day 1 of engagement.
*Full participation in Gift Agreements, is applicable for 1 point in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.