Reduce Risk
	A good planned giving policy manual is an extremely useful tool for avoiding or reducing the risks, liabilities and donor relations problems associated with accepting problem gifts. It should set forth conditions, minimums, tax rules and other considerations for accepting a viable planned gift. It can also streamline the gift acceptance process by serving as a checklist for the steps required to complete each different type of planned gift.
	Expand Program
	Lastly, policy and procedures are commonplace in other areas like investments, endowment management, finance and accounting. With good planned giving policies and procedures in place, board members, financial offices and others responsible for setting institutional policy will have greater confidence in the maturity and sophistication of the development program. They will be far more inclined to support the planned giving effort by serving as a key referral network for outright and deferred planned gifts.
	Training Tool
	Similarly, a good policy manual takes the mystery out of planned giving by compiling important rules and requirements in a working document that can be used as a desk reference manual and training guide for everyone involved in the ongoing gift solicitation and acceptance process.

Benefits