Viken Mikaelian, Author at Planned Giving Marketing Trusted Authority

Do-It-Yourself Analytics to Boost Planned Giving AND the Annual Fund

Sustainability

Do-It-Yourself Fundraising Analytics to Boost Planned Giving AND the Annual Fund

Fundraising analytics are important for the health of your non-profit’s development program. Without basic wealth and demographic information, you won’t be able to effectively fundraise from those in your non-profit’s CRM. If your database doesn’t provide basic fundraising analytics, you can, with a little work, do it yourself. Here’s how to do it effectively.

Viken Mikaelian January 19, 2022 No Comments

Finding Your Best Planned Giving Prospects

Stewardship and Relationships

Finding Your Best Planned Giving Prospects

Whether you’re kicking off a fledgling planned giving program or you’re comfortably positioned with a legacy society, it doesn’t take a data scientist to help you find your best prospects. It DOES, however, start with your donor data. This blog explains why data is essential.

Viken Mikaelian January 17, 2022 No Comments

Bequests

Donors Don’t Just Give; They Invest in a Nonprofit

Donors like to do more than just give — they like to feel like they are investing in the nonprofits they support. Investing means feeling like they are part of the organization and partially responsible for its success. If you want donors to give more to your organization, you need to find ways to help them feel as though they are investing, not simply making a donation.

Viken Mikaelian January 10, 2022 No Comments

Stewardship and Relationships

How Collaboration Builds a Better Fundraising Team

Collaboration draws upon the unique skillsets of individuals to achieve a common goal among a group. But for specialization to work, teaming up (aka, collaboration) with others who have complementary skills is critical. And I am happy to see that’s becoming the norm in philanthropy. Putting processes in place to increase collaboration at your non-profit will help you build a stronger fundraising team.

Viken Mikaelian January 2, 2022 No Comments

Online Will Planners

We recently interviewed Jordan Cassidy, Co-founder & Head of Business Development of LifeLegacy, about nonprofits using online will planners for their constituency. Here’s what he had to say. Q: Is an online will really an effective way to get planned gifts? A: A bequest giving tool like our free online will is great for engaging everyday donors. You can offer this complimentary service to your donors, track engagement and use it as the beginning, not the end, of the conversation

Viken Mikaelian January 1, 2022 No Comments

Stewardship and Relationships

That’s No Way to Treat a Donor

Like dating, you have an ongoing relationship with your donors, and there is a right way and a wrong way to treat a donor— to keep them happy; to show you truly appreciate them; to “keep the romance alive.” Here’s how to treat your donors the right way to make sure they keep giving again and again!

Viken Mikaelian December 29, 2021 No Comments

A $500 Million Estate And No Estate Plan

Bequests

A $500 Million Estate …. And No Estate Plan

Did you hear that former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh died intestate? Now his family, friends, and business associates are apparently fighting over a bunch of deals and agreements that were scribbled on thousands of sticky notes plastered all over the walls of his Utah mansion. Don’t make the same mistake. Don’t die without an estate plan that keeps your legacy intact!

Viken Mikaelian December 22, 2021 No Comments

Stewardship and Relationships

The Best Prospects Are Still Loyal Donors

Loyal donors are more likely to make a planned giving. Nurture your loyal donors who give once or twice, and they will give lifetime. In order to nurture your loyal donors, you need to thank them, recognize them, and steward them the right way!

Viken Mikaelian December 19, 2021 No Comments

Sustainability

What’s My Planned Giving ROI?

One of the most important concepts in fundraising is return on investment (ROI). You need to know the ROI of every activity to carry out in your development program. Use the tips in this article to learn the basics of calculating the planned giving ROI for your organization’s planned gift program!

Viken Mikaelian December 17, 2021 No Comments

Sustainability

Cost of Inaction vs Fundraising ROI

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. There’s a very real cost to failing to take action – it directly impacts your fundraising return on investment (your fundraising ROI). Learn more and see how to combat inaction today!

Viken Mikaelian December 17, 2021 No Comments