This presentation equips nonprofit professionals with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to effectively manage matured bequests and transform donor legacies into meaningful mission support. Through a blend of practical guidance, relevant insights, and real-life examples, attendees will gain a solid foundation in bequest administration, from handling estate notifications to working with executors and ensuring donor intent is honored. Additionally, we will explore strategies for navigating challenges that may arise that could jeopardize a bequest. By the end of this session, participants will be better prepared to safeguard donor legacies and maximize the impact of planned gifts for their organization.

Melanie is the Senior Associate Director of Development for Gift Planning at the URI Foundation where she oversees bequest administration, the Charitable Gift Annuity program, and maintains a portfolio of donors. She began working for URIF in October of 2021 after many years as a paralegal working in insurance litigation and later bequest management. She is also the Vice President of CGP-RI and a member of the Emerging Professionals Committee for CGP National. In her free time, Melanie enjoys gallivanting around the state looking for great food and fun activities with her husband and 3-year old son, Maverick.