Program Administration and Management

To Infinity and Beyond! Drafting Gift Agreements That Will Stand The Test Of Time

Marcia Inger Navrátil

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Intermediate

A well-drafted gift agreement doesn't just address the circumstances when a donor makes a gift—it also takes into account the donor's long-term intent, the current and future needs of the institution and the relevant legal standards that govern institutional management of gift funds. This session will describe in detail all of the essential elements of a comprehensive gift agreement, one that an organization can effectively implement during the donor's lifetime, when circumstances change so that implementation becomes impractical and when the donor is no longer available to consult or consent to changes. Real-life examples will highlight best practices and the unfortunate consequences when a gift agreement is poorly written or missing essential information.

Learning Objectives

  1. Draft key elements of a legally valid and comprehensive gift agreement, including gift description, purpose, restrictions, management of gift funds, and associated fees.
  2. Manage donor expectations by communicating effectively to ensure that gift agreements fully reflect the donors' intent and that donors grasp the full implications, obligations, and restrictions of the gift agreement.
  3. Include specific language in gift agreements to address future changes, in order to avoid conflicts and restrictions when donor is no longer available or unwilling to give consent.
     

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Marcia Inger Navrátil

Director of Gift Planning Services, University of Texas System

Marcia Inger Navrátil has served as the Director of Gift Planning Services for University of Texas System since November 2015. In her current role, she collaborates with, advises, and trains advancement colleagues across 14 U.T. academic and health institutions, in their work on planned and complex gifts. Marcia brings nearly 20 years of development experience to her current role. Prior to joining UT System, she spent 10 years working in development at The University of Texas at Austin, including as Director and Interim Executive Director of Gift and Estate Planning. Marcia has also held development positions at University of Virginia and Virginia Opera. Marcia derives great satisfaction from working with development officers, donors, and professional advisors to craft charitable gift plans that allow donors to achieve their philanthropic, personal, and financial goals. Marcia is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and currently serves as President of the Austin chapter. She has presented on charitable and estate planning at organizations including the CGP National Conference, CGP chapters across the country, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the CASE District IV Conference, and the Big XII Development Conference, and has contributed to publications on philanthropy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Art History and law degree and from the University of Virginia. She lives in Austin with her husband Paul, and when not working can be found running on trails in the woods with her two rescue dogs.