Phil Purcell, CFRE, MPA, JD
Phil Purcell has enjoyed a thirty-year career in planned giving and as counsel to nonprofits and individuals. He currently serves as the Director of Planned Giving for the Central Territory of the Salvation Army. In this role, he is the directional leader of over thirty planned giving officers in eleven states who close approximately $90 million in planned gifts each year. Phil has held leadership positions in planned giving positions in higher education, healthcare, community foundation, and faith based organizations.
He also serves as independent counsel to individuals and nonprofit organizations including public charities and private foundations. Phil advises individuals on the tax and other legal aspects of charitable estate planning. He also counsels nonprofit organizations on compliance and governance issues under both state and federal law.
Phil serves as counsel to the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Philanthropy Ohio, and Philanthropy Southeast, serving private and community foundations. He is legal advisor for the Community Foundation Legal Help Desk, a national online subscription service. Phil is also editor for Planned Giving Today, a monthly national publication, and on the editorial board of Giving USA.
For over twenty five years as adjunct faculty, Phil has taught the subjects of the law of nonprofit organizations, law of philanthropy, and planned gift fundraising for the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Lilly School of Philanthropy, and The Fundraising School. He has also served on the faculty of the American Institute of Philanthropic Studies for over seven years. Phil has spoken across the U.S. at hundreds of national and local conferences of fundraising professionals and to professional advisors for continuing education credit.
Phil has served as president of the board of directors of the American Council on Gift Annuities. He also served on the board of directors for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (past secretary), Charitable Gift Planning Group of Indiana (past president), and Association of Fundraising Professionals - Indiana Chapter (past president).
He is a licensed attorney and member of the American and Indiana State Bar Associations. Phil serves as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Charitable Giving and Organizations Group (Real Property, Trust and Estate Section) and as a member of the Tax-Exempt Organization Advisory Council for the Internal Revenue Service (Great Lakes states).
Phil received the 2025 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Hall of Fame induction, 2021 Gift Leader Award by Crescendo, Inc. and 2011 Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana.
Phil received his B.A. degree from Wabash College (magna cum laude) and his J.D./M.P.A. degrees (with honors) from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a Truman Scholar and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Alpha Alpha.