Most legacy gift lists are fiction. Donors don't remember making commitments, staff chase vanity metrics, and organizations waste thousands on digital tools that promise everything but deliver nothing. This case study reveals why relationship-building beats database-building every time. Discover the proven strategies that turn inflated prospect lists into genuine legacy commitments—including donor surveys, year-round education, and stewardship plans that actually work in the real world.
It’s Good Stewardship Tote bags are nice. Coffee mugs? Cute. But what if your nonprofit could offer donors something a little more … eternal? Introducing Gift-A-Grave™ — the only planned giving incentive that says: “If you leave us in your will, we’ll save you a spot in the ground. Because lasting impact deserves a lasting address” Permanence—the sine qua non of meaningful legacy. That’s right. Join our Legacy Society, and we’ll secure your final resting place. Because nothing screams legacy quite like a shovel and a headstone. What Is Gift-A-Grave™? It’s exactly what it says. Donors commit to a planned gift, and in return, they receive: No cryptic fine print. No clickwrap legalese. Because when you want results, you skip the buzzwords and go straight to the burial. For Advancement Officers With a Shovel and a Deadline Why This Isn’t Actually the Worst Idea You’ve Heard This Year Look. we’ve mastered the
Legacy Giving Isn’t About Forms—It’s About Follow-Through Lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines:“Half a million wills created.”“Ten billion dollars committed.” The dashboards are slick. The numbers are impressive. And yet—most of those figures live in a world of promises, not payments. A donor can add your nonprofit to their will today, and yes, that feels like a victory. But here’s the hard truth: you might see that gift in 2045. Or you might never see it at all. That’s not cynicism. That’s planned giving reality. The Difference Between a Form and a Future I respect what the new digital platforms have built. They’ve made will creation accessible, even elegant. That’s a good thing. But a form is only the beginning of a much longer journey. Because what happens after the signature? I once worked with a nonprofit that proudly announced a $5 million “commitment.” Fifteen years later, they discovered the
A few weeks after donating to a youth literacy nonprofit, my friend Elena received a surprising email. It wasn’t the usual automated receipt or slick newsletter, but instead was a short video from a second-grade teacher. In the video, the teacher stood in her colorful classroom, holding up a book. “Hi Anne,” she said with a smile. “Thank you so much for your generous support. Thanks to you, my students were able to take home their very first books this year. You’re helping build lifelong readers. We are so grateful!” That 60-second video made Anne feel seen, appreciated, and deeply connected to the mission, and she became a monthly donor just two weeks later. In an age of digital overload, a heartfelt, personal thank-you video stands out. It fosters emotional connection, boosts donor loyalty, and converts one-time donors into long-term partners. And the best part? It only takes about a
While capital campaigns often focus on immediate fundraising needs, integrating planned giving creates lasting impact. A well-run campaign provides the perfect platform to identify and cultivate legacy donors. By including planned giving language in campaign materials, training staff on legacy conversations, launching a legacy society, and sharing donor stories, organizations can secure both short-term pledges and long-term estate commitments. This dual approach transforms campaigns into meaningful exercises in stewardship that ensure organizational sustainability for generations.
Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) offer a tax-efficient method to support charities while preserving income. Donors transfer appreciated assets into a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) or Unitrust (CRUT), gaining immediate income tax deductions and avoiding capital gains taxes. These trusts provide fixed or variable payments during retirement, allowing donors to maintain their lifestyle. They also enable wealth transfer with reduced gift or estate taxes, making CRTs an attractive option for long-term charitable and financial planning.
Walt Disney built windows lower on Main Street so children could see inside as easily as adults—a detail no one noticed but everyone benefited from. This teaches us about donor relations: Are we building our "windows" at standard height or from our donors' perspective? Simple changes like talking mission over money, having real people answer phones, and creating memorable first impressions can transform donor engagement and loyalty.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
Can you name your local community foundation? More importantly: do you know what they really do? Far from being competitors, community foundations are powerful allies for nonprofits. They manage complex gifts, build sustainable endowments, connect you with donor-advised funds, and even handle planned giving for teams without in-house expertise. Think of them as gardeners of local philanthropy - planting, tending, and growing generosity so your mission can thrive for years to come.
If even Abraham Lincoln, Prince, and Picasso skipped writing wills, what chance do the rest of us have without a nudge? That's why no single message works for every donor. Some need a wake-up call about the risks. Others respond to inspiring visions of their legacy. Still others want practical answers or simple first steps. The most effective campaigns don't pick one approach—they balance all four: fear, inspiration, education, and simplicity. Because different people need different keys to finally act.
A $100,000 bequest barely gets a pat on the back, while a $10,000 check today earns applause, credit, and bonuses. That’s the real problem: behavior follows recognition, and recognition follows reporting. Until you start tracking, crediting, and celebrating legacy commitments like major gifts, your program will keep limping along—underfunded and overlooked. The fix is simple. Reward what matters.
Understand the five critical mistakes to avoid when creating a last will and testament to ensure your final wishes are honored.
Advances in modern medicine can prolong lives of seriously ill individuals, though not always with hope for improvement. While some view extended life as meaningful, others may see artificial prolongation as extending suffering. The Florida Legislature recognizes individuals' fundamental right to make medical decisions regarding life-prolonging procedures. Through advance directives like living wills, health care surrogate designations, and anatomical gift declarations, adults can plan ahead for health care decisions and ensure their wishes are respected.
Bequests are quietly transforming nonprofit fundraising—but most organizations are stuck chasing galas, events, and short-term wins. In this sharp critique, we explore why legacy giving is the most overlooked revenue stream and how tools like LegacyPlanner™ remove friction and drive real results. With insights from clients like Smith College and JMU, this piece calls out outdated board thinking and offers practical steps to modernize your strategy. Bequests aren’t gravy—they’re the foundation. Ignore them, and the money passes you by.
Thank you for the clarification — you're absolutely right. The emphasis should be on the *overlooked* and *often ignored* reasons people **don’t think about** when skipping a Will. Here’s a revised **80-word summary** that reflects that angle more precisely: Many people skip creating a Will, assuming they don’t need one. But overlooked reasons make it essential: naming a guardian for minor children, choosing *who* inherits (and who doesn’t), avoiding court-appointed representatives, and minimizing taxes or legal fees. A Will also helps establish your legal residence for tax benefits—something few consider. Without one, the state decides everything. These details are often ignored, yet they protect your loved ones and legacy. Don’t let procrastination make those decisions for you.
Online will makers are everywhere you look these days. From FreeWill, Rocket Lawyer, Trust & Will and GivingDocs to the comprehensive LegacyPlanner, it feels like everyone is offering their own version. And sometimes it seems like they all just appeared overnight, too. But the truth is, the industry has been around for decades — both US Legal Wills and LegalZoom had online versions more than 20 years ago.
Philanthropy is a longer-term option for making gifts to help people in need over multiple years’ time while charity focuses on immediate relief to the needy.
Creating a will is a vital act of love and responsibility—not just for the wealthy, but for anyone wishing to protect their loved ones and legacy. This guide outlines ten essential truths, including the importance of naming guardians, avoiding court-imposed decisions, and using modern, affordable tools like LegacyPlanner™. It stresses that valid wills are legally binding, easy to update, and crucial at any age. Take action today to ensure your wishes are honored and your family is safeguarded.
Most people aren’t busy—they’re just unfocused, boundary-less, and addicted to looking important. This piece delivers seven brutal truths about time, attention, and why most nonprofit professionals are stuck in a loop of motion without progress. If your calendar is full but your goals are stalled, this is your wake-up call. Stop being everyone's unpaid assistant. Start producing outcomes. Because in the end, you’re either running your day—or starring in someone else’s productivity fantasy.
Learn about the distinctions between advance directives and living wills, ensuring your medical care preferences are respected even when you can't communicate them yourself.
Whiners don’t win—leaders do. If your comfort zone is begging for 2–4% raises and hoping for a part-time job post-retirement, this isn’t for you. Hardball leaders don’t play it safe—they make bold moves, take calculated risks, and push their teams toward excellence. The nonprofit world is plagued by a softie mentality, where comfort trumps results. But real impact demands urgency, accountability, and grit. Step up, toughen up, and lead like a winner—because playing it safe won’t get you to the top.
Making Estate Planning Accessible, Simple, Personal, Secure and FREE!
Bequests are up, cash is down. Empower your donors to plan their will and invest their legacy in the cause they support the most.
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