The Red Shield Symposium

About the event

The Red Shield Symposium

31st Annual Estate & Charitable Gift Planning Institute

Join us for The Salvation Army's premier estate and charitable gift planning conference, bringing together nationally recognized experts to explore the latest developments in estate planning, tax law, charitable giving, and philanthropic strategies. Whether you're an attorney, accountant, financial planner, trust officer, or nonprofit professional, you'll leave with practical insights you can apply immediately in your work.

Attend in person at the NIU Rockford Campus or participate virtually through our live webcast. Both options provide access to a full day of expert-led presentations and valuable continuing education opportunities.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: NIU Rockford Campus, 8500 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108
Registration: $75 per participant
Attendance Options: In-person or virtual webcast

Featured National Speakers

Learn from respected leaders in estate planning and charitable gift planning, including:

• Samuel A. Donaldson, JD, Georgia State University
• Pamela J. Davidson, JD, Davidson Gift Design
• Phil Purcell, JD, The Salvation Army, Central Territory
• Charles Slamar, Jr., JD, LLM, Thompson & Associates

Continuing Education

Participants may earn 6.5 hours of continuing education credit, including 1.5 hours of ethics, for eligible professional designations, including attorneys (CLE), accountants (CPE), CFP, CTFA, CLU, ChFC, CAP, and more.

Who Should Attend?

The Red Shield Symposium is designed for:

• Attorneys
• Certified Financial Planners
• Accountants
• Bank Trust Officers
• Estate Planning Professionals

Program Highlights

Topics include:

• 2026 Federal Tax Update
• Estate Planner's Income Tax Playbook
• Charitable Estate Planning Strategies
• Ethics & Estate Planning
• Red Shield Awards Luncheon