Inside the Mind of the Bequest Donor: New Research Findings in Neuroimaging

2013 RSVP FORM

Presenter:

Dr. Russell N. James, III, JD, CFP, Texas Tech University

Many development professionals think that planned giving is just like any other form of fundraising or tax planning; however, new studies using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) show just how differently the brain reacts to bequest decisions. In the first public presentation in the U.S. of his findings, Dr. Russell James, author of the world’s first published peer-reviewed research examining charitable bequest decision-making using fMRI will review his latest findings and present a new model of the deep processes involved in bequest decision-making. He will detail a wide range of practical applications for planned giving officers and advisors that will help you improve your planned giving communications.

Russell James is a professor and the director of the on campus and online graduate program in Charitable Financial Planning at Texas Tech University.  He worked as the Director of Planned Giving for Central Christian College, Moberly, Missouri for six years and later served as president of the college for more than five years, where he had direct and supervisory responsibility for all fundraising. During his presidency the college successfully completed two major capital campaigns, built several new debt-free buildings, and operated in the black every year after having operated in the red for 10 of the 11 previous years.  Dr. James has over 100 publications in academic journals, conference proceedings, professional periodicals, and books including 20 on neuroimaging and neuroeconomics.  He has been quoted in a variety of news sources including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC News, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, the Associated Press, Bloomberg News and the Chronicle of Philanthropy.