How Make-A-Will Month became a can’t-miss fundraising event – and how to make the most of it

August has historically been a quiet month for fundraising, but Make-A-Will Month has changed that by helping thousands of nonprofits spark meaningful conversations about legacy giving and raise millions in new bequest commitments year-over-year.

How did Make-A-Will month become such a significant opportunity for planned giving, and why does this matter more than ever for nonprofits in 2025?

Watch Patrick Schmitt, co-CEO of FreeWill, walk through the history of Make-A-Will Month, how it has grown into a powerful moment for planned giving, and why now is the best time to prioritize legacy giving at your nonprofit.

In this session, we covered:

• MAWM’s rise in popularity
• What drives a successful MAWM campaign
• How your nonprofit can participate and drive legacy giving this August

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