Now’s Your Chance to Save The World!
It’s not too late to make a difference—perhaps a much bigger one than you thought possible—if you have a will.
You Had Me at Bequest
Too often, once a prospect has documented his/her bequest intentions, the donor acknowledgment period lasts through several months of standard thank-you letters, a holiday greeting or goodie, and perhaps a recognition dinner (depending on level of gift). The donor’s name is summarily noted in recognition reports, on walls of fame, etched onto a plaque or mug, and whisked away into a legacy giving society. Then, it drops off the crevice into the deep, dark hole of “no further action required.”
Final Invoice
The good news is, by creating a will and preparing for the first, you can reduce the burden of the second — both on yourself, and on your heirs. That’s because creating a will gives you the opportunity to put your affairs in order and ensure you’re in control of your own legacy.
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.
An Estate-Planning Guide Just For Women
Did you know that on average, women live five to seven years longer than men? This means any changes in finances, inheritance, or guardianship can complicate the estate planning process. It also means women often spend more time and resources on long-term or end-of-life care.
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.
Little Jessica
Before she became ill, I used to see Jessica every Sunday night when her parents came to play in the little mixed-couples pickup basketball league at the gym. At that time — and this was thirty years ago — Jessica was about one year old. Cute kid. An only child who was barely talking yet.
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.
