PlannedGiving.com is widely regarded as the #1 sample policy and procedures manual for
promoting an accepting non-cash gifts. The manual is easy to read, accurate and authoritative.
It is available on 3.5" diskettes as a word-processing document (in either Word or WordPerfect
format for Windows). It can easily be personalized throughout with the name of your non-profit
organization, and readily adapted to the needs of each charity.
For the sake of simplicity, PlannedGiving.com is the trademark name for the policy manual
software, as well as our company name, and the name of our web site domain on the Internet.
Using your Internet browser, you can go to PlannedGiving.com and order the manual and also
access other useful planned giving web sites and resources.
2. What are the key features of PlannedGiving.com software?
The PlannedGiving.com software is a unique 50 page desk manual which includes suggested
policies and procedures, marketing concepts, tax issues and graphic or pictorial illustrations
for each type of planned gift. These features are combined in one policy manual to place each
gift vehicle in proper perspective for board members, volunteers, staff and others.
3. Does PlannedGiving.com require any other software?
PlannedGiving.com policy manual software is a word processing document. It is available in
MS Word 6.0 for Windows format. This software is required to edit and print the manual.
4. What is the cost of PlannedGiving.com?
Rather than pay a consulting firm perhaps $1,000 or more to draft policies and procedures for
promoting and accepting non-cash gifts, PlannedGiving.com is available for only $189 and
does almost all the drafting for you. Your organization merely needs to personalize the
document with its name and to specify minimum limits for certain types of gifts (such gift
annuities or pooled income fund accounts).
5. What is included in the purchase?
You will receive the PlannedGiving.com policy manual software on two 3.5" diskettes, in either
MS Word or WordPerfect formats, depending upon your preference. The two diskettes contain
three word-processing files. The 50 page manual is divided between two of the files. A third file
contains a useful seminar presentation (entitled "Gift Acceptance Policy Manual: A Powerful
Tool to Mobilize Planned Giving While Minimizing Risk") which was presented at the Ninth
National Conference on Planned Giving sponsored by The National Committee on Planned
Giving in Chicago, Illinois.
6. Can the software be installed by the user?
Most definitely! Installation is as simple as opening up any document file in MS Word or
WordPerfect for Windows. Simply click on the file menu, and then click on open. Open the file
from the drive the diskettes were placed in.
7. Can most printers manage a 50 page document?
Yes. Very few office printers lack the capacity to store and print a 50 page document like the
PlannedGiving.com policy manual.
8. Will PlannedGiving.com be updated periodically?
Yes. User updates will be posted on this Internet web site and will include tax and regulatory
changes, new forms, as well as helpful suggestions we receive from our users. Users will also
be notified of any opportunity to upgrade the software.
9. What kind of organizations use PlannedGiving.com?
All types of Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations have purchased the PlannedGiving.com
policy manual software. This includes a number of public and private colleges and universities,
prep schools, many churches and religious organizations and their related foundations,
federations, missions and retirement centers, as well as national and regional healthcare
societies, hospitals, medical centers, community foundations, social service organizations,
theater and cultural arts organizations, environmental groups, law firms and financial service
organizations, plus a number of fundraising consulting firms and their clients.
10. How easily can the manual be personalized for a particular organization?
Since the manual software is simply a text file with graphics, it can be readily amended,
adapted or customized to meet the needs of any organization. The "find and replace" text
function can be used to easily personalize the manual by inserting the full name or abbreviated
name of your institution wherever "ABC Charity" or "CHARITY" appears in the text. The graphic
charity symbol can be replaced with your logo using the standard "picture editing" function in
your WordPerfect or Microsoft Word software.
11. Can purchasers change or amend the text any way they wish?
The copyright on the PlannedGiving.com policy manual software does not limit you in any way
from changing or amending the text as you see fit. The copyright is merely intended to prohibit
unauthorized duplication of the software and policy manual by an organization or individual that
has not acquired the rights to use the material.
12. Can a parent organization acquire multiple copies of the software for its other units?
The modest price for the PlannedGiving.com software is intended to promote wide use of
planned giving policies and procedures to promote greater self regulation and professionalism
throughout the entire non-profit sector. The license agreement entitles each purchaser to use
the software for one site. Charities with more than one gift acceptance unit, such as separate
councils, chapters, congregations, foundations or subordinate affiliates should purchase the
software for each separate gift acceptance unit. Generous quantity discounts are available by
calling Toll Free 1-888-563-6252.
13. What are the advantages of having a planned giving policy manual?
A good planned giving policy manual is an extremely useful took for avoiding or reducing the
risks, liabilities and donor relations problems associated with accepting problem gifts. It can
also streamline the gift acceptance process by serving as a checklist of the steps required to
complete planned gifts. Likewise, a good policy manual takes the mystery out of planned giving
by compiling important rules and requirements in a working document for use as a desk
reference manual and training guide for everyone involved in the ongoing gift solicitation and
acceptance process. 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, and be far more inclined to support the planned giving effort and serve
as a key referral network for outright and deferred planned gifts.
