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.
The Boring Question and Boring Answer
“Why does your organization need a planned giving program?”
Most over-used (over-abused?) answer: Planned giving is invaluable to an establishment’s financial health… blah, blah … largest inter-generational wealth transfer … blah, blah … over $30 trillion will pass from Baby Boomers … blah, blah. Enough already.
Okay. We Get That.
The true answer is that if your organization doesn’t have a planned giving program, it’s seen clearly that it’s not planning for the future. Which means you’re clearly planning to fail.
You, and your organization, are not taken seriously if you do not have a planned giving system in place. Even a small one.
Donors Notice. And Look Elsewhere.
Consider a different question, then: Why isn’t your organization taking planned giving seriously?
A Sign of Legitimacy
Planned giving is a hallmark of legitimate, prestigious organizations that are serious about long-term goals. Donors want to ensure their money goes to a successful nonprofit. The savviest donors are well aware of planned giving options — and they’ll check them out before supporting a cause. If you don’t have a planned giving program, you’re losing prospects. Why? You’re not taken seriously. Period. And this is why nonprofits with a solid planned giving initiative can recover from disaster more easily.
Variety is the Spice of Life
No two donors are alike. A program that’s a perfect match for one might not work for another. Organizations with versatile planned giving options get more gifts from a wider variety of donors. More donors = more funding.
Bigger Gifts
Only 5 percent of the nation’s wealth is in liquid assets. The rest is where planned giving comes into play: retirement plans, real estate — even collectibles. Planned gifts are usually a donor’s largest gift to an organization. Are you happy just receiving one-time gifts of $5, $10, or $200? Then you’re in the wrong business.
Easy to Give and Receive
People will appreciate you more, because it shows you care. It’s not rocket science. Planned gifts are easy to market, easy to give, and easy to receive. Especially beneficiary designations.
Accessible to All
The majority of donors aren’t wealthy. Studies have found most gifts come from poor and middle-class donors. A donor may not be able to contribute anything right now, but through planned giving can offer a large amount in the future. Again, this shows you care.
Builds Relationships
Fundraising is about relationships, and relationships are built on trust. A planned giving program helps establish that trust — and helps fundraisers cultivate more opportunities for giving. Just like businesses, charities are built on repeat “customers.”
What’s in a relationship? Marketing and sales. Did we mention marketing?
Allows Donors to Leave a Legacy
Donors don’t give just to help a cause — they give because it makes them feel good. Planned giving is a way for anyone to leave a legacy (i.e., feeling good), and that appeals to almost all potential donors — whether they get a hospital wing named in their honor or make it into a nonprofit’s newsletter.
And making people feel good is a major part of marketing and sales.
