Take the readiness test and score yourself with this interactive planned giving tool. It’s an eye-opener.
August 3, 2019 Read more
Planned Giving Blog
Again and again, Dr. Russell James found that formal and technical terms reduce the chances that a prospective donor will be interested in making a planned gift. And we’ve been saying that since 1998. Yet, many nonprofits still do not take the advice.
July 31, 2019 Read more
If you’re not pursuing planned gifts, the nonprofit next door is. If they win the heart of your donors, your cash gifts will follow out the door, too.
July 29, 2019 Read more
Average people hate Mondays, and refer to Wednesday as “hump day” and then “Thank God it’s Friday.” If you are a leader, you should enjoy it all. The average consciousness lives for the weekend.
July 24, 2019 Read more
Planned giving productivity. It’s not about learning calculators, CRUTs and CRATs. Here are 5, simple helpful tips for you career — and mental health.
July 23, 2019 Read more
Recently, an IT functionary at a large Midwestern institution convinced the Development team to produce their planned giving website in-house. It took them 8 months.
July 20, 2019 Read more
Planned gifts are not always deferred. Some provide immediate cash, some come in sooner than you think, and here are a few tips to accelerate them.
July 20, 2019 Read more
People often ask me about my life. What’s my background? Where’s my accent from? Where did I grow up? Where did you meet your wife? One of these days I’ll get around to answering all that… But the most common question I get is, “Viken, how did you get into planned giving?” Answer: By Accident.
July 15, 2019 Read more
From troubled childhood too exec. It’s a Tale of Three Generations. A true story of a friend I just reunited with. He told me about this some 35 years ago, but I did not “get it” until I watched this video.
July 13, 2019 Read more
Everyone focuses on the importance of planned giving from a financial perspective. When in fact, it’s about legitimacy and credibility. If you have both, the money will follow.
July 6, 2019 Read more
Fundraising professionals focus on income as a measure of giving ability. The worried fundraiser thinks this way. “The prospective donor won’t give, because she won’t save money by being charitable. I won’t raise enough money to make my annual goals. My charity won’t accomplish its mission, and I’ll lose my job. What am I going to do?”
July 5, 2019 Read more
What kind of “asker” are you? Confident, well-dressed, professional? Or more of a beggar? Someone apologetic, mincing their way through the ask? One type is going to succeed often, and the other will almost always fail. Can you guess which is which? You’ll find the answer — and other great advice on making the ask — on our blog in a guest post from author, public speaker and planned giving specialist Dr. Rebecca Price Janney.
July 4, 2019 Read more