Harvard Would Love What Your Church Has
Pastors have a captive audience every Sunday. I can think of more than one fundraiser who’d probably be willing to commit a mortal sin for that kind of setup!
Getting It All Together: Making Your Will
Making a will is a lot easier than you probably think. But like anything, you have to start with the basics. These are the documents you need to get started creating your will; the things you absolutely must account for; and a few things you’ll want to consider.
Don’t Worry, You Don’t Need a Will
Live Well … Leave Well. Make a difference even after you’re gone. Plan your estate for those you love and leave a legacy, not a mess.
How to Launch a Simple Bequest Program
Of all the planned gift vehicles, a bequest program requires the least amount of effort — but provides the maximum amount of return! A bequest program also is the perfect way to segue into closing other gifts. Bequests also make up 92% of all planned gifts.
Considering Social Media for Planned Giving?
The No. 1 enemy of a social media program is figuring out how to monetize it. How do you measure ROI, when — as is the case with planned giving — you might not ‘see’ results for years? That is not a question we can easily answer — at least, not honestly — because it depends on factors unique to your organization.
We Want Your Stories
We’re looking to compile the largest-ever collection of bequest-related stories — and give you and your nonprofit some publicity at the same time. In short, we want any bequest-related stories you think are important, interesting, amusing or informative.
Online Will Makers: Eliminating the Stigma
I’ve always felt that encouraging donors to create a will is in the best interests of any nonprofit. After all, they can’t leave you a planned gift without one.
Monthly Donors Should Be On Your Planned Giving Prospect List
Many nonprofits have found a welcome source of revenue through monthly donors in the years since the pandemic. These repeat donors are your best planned giving prospects. Why? You are always on their minds.
Initiating the Legacy Conversation
My Dad never wanted to talk about creating a will. “Don’t worry,” he’d say, “It’s not like I’m going to die tomorrow.” Then he’d change the subject—usually to the tomatoes he was growing—because he found talking about planning his estate too uncomfortable. Guess what? My Dad died without ever making that estate plan.
Encourage Donors to Ensure Their Beneficiary Designation Forms are Up to Date
If you’ve named a charity as the beneficiary of an asset such as an insurance policy or retirement account, you know that the beneficiary designation forms typically request that charity’s name, address and tax identification number (TIN). And if there’s a mistake?
