Give and Take

Master your elevator pitches. You have eight seconds to make an impression—are you ready? Whether it’s a reunion, a luncheon, or a chance encounter, your ability to start a meaningful conversation about legacy giving matters. This guide offers 25 ultra-brief, donor-specific elevator pitches you can memorize and use anywhere. Organized by giving vehicle and donor motivation, each one is crafted to spark curiosity and open the door to deeper discussion.

Through legacy gifts, donors like Angela and Terrell Richards and Hilda and Arnulfo Miramontes are transforming lives at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their stories show how planned giving—through wills, trusts, and heartfelt commitments—ensures children battling catastrophic illnesses receive lifesaving care, free of charge. This article honors their legacies and invites readers to consider their own. Because leaving a legacy isn’t about wealth—it’s about impact, compassion, and giving children a future worth fighting for.

Introduction: What Is Planned Giving and Why Does It Matter?  Planned giving, also known as legacy giving, is the art of securing future gifts from donors through their estate plans. These gifts are often the largest and most impactful contributions a donor will ever make—with the average planned gift ranging from 200-300 times larger than a typical annual donation. Consider how a small environmental nonprofit transformed its future with just three bequests in its first year of planned giving: these gifts secured enough funding to protect 250 acres of critical habitat in perpetuity. Yet, many nonprofits hesitate to launch their own planned giving program, assuming they lack the expertise or resources. The truth is: Planned giving is a people business, not a legal business™. And it’s never too early to start. This guide offers the most practical, scalable approach to launching a planned giving program—even if you’re a small nonprofit

A bad blog doesn’t just look lazy—it proves it. In the world of planned giving, where trust and credibility matter most, an outdated or lifeless blog can quietly sabotage donor confidence. Learn why showing up halfheartedly online is worse than not showing up at all—and how to fix it before it costs you.

Most people create a will or trust and never look at it again. But life changes—marriages, births, moves, asset shifts—can render your estate plan outdated and ineffective. Failing to update it may mean your assets go to the wrong person or your heirs face unnecessary stress and taxes. Reviewing your estate plan ensures your wishes are honored and your legacy protected. It’s not morbid—it’s responsible planning.

100 Fundraising Delusions (and the People Who Still Believe Them) isn’t a blog. It’s a mirror—and not the flattering kind. After 26 years in this business, I’ve heard it all: the excuses, the sacred cows, the budget-killing fantasy thinking. From “We need younger donors” to “We’ve got FreeWill, so we’re covered,” this list delivers 100 cold truths—each one a quiet reason your fundraising isn’t working. If you see yourself in a few, congratulations—you’re self-aware. If you don’t see yourself at all? Well… that’s Delusion No. 100.

Originally published in September 2012. Updated in 2025. How Internal Silos Hurt Donor Relationships and Revenue Summary: Many organizations still operate under the outdated belief that planned giving cannibalizes annual giving. In reality, donors who commit to legacy gifts often increase their annual contributions. This post explores the importance of cross-departmental collaboration and how to unlock the full value of loyal donors by embracing a donor-centered approach. The Question We Received We were recently asked a practical and pressing question: Is there any benchmark or industry standard regarding the mechanics of handing off a loyal direct mail donor to the Planned Giving Department? Without airing too much dirty laundry, our in-house Direct Marketing Department refuses to give the Planned Giving Department access to the donor database out of fear that planned giving marketing activities with loyal donors will depress annual giving income. So basically, the Planned Giving Department is being

Thinking of hosting a Planned Giving Seminar? Great—if your goal is to perfect the sound of silence. Most people would rather organize their sock drawer than attend something that sounds like a tax lecture. Want them to actually show up? Call it “Estate Planning for Grown-Ups Who Don’t Want Chaos.” Talk about protecting their family, not charitable trusts. Trust us—once they’ve planned for their dog, their alma mater might just sneak into the will.

Most will-making tools end the conversation. LegacyPlanner™ begins it. Unlike generic platforms, LegacyPlanner™ integrates with your planned giving website, guiding donors through their entire legacy journey—not just creating a will, but exploring all giving options. It’s designed to educate, inspire, and build lasting relationships. The result? More meaningful gifts, stronger connections, and long-term impact. If you’re ready to move beyond transactions and build true donor engagement, LegacyPlanner™ is the tool your planned giving strategy needs.

Many people misunderstand wills and estate planning, leading to costly mistakes. Common myths include assuming spouses inherit everything, believing wills are private or avoid probate, or thinking only the wealthy need one. In reality, state laws may override your wishes without proper planning. This article dispels these myths, clarifies probate laws, and explains why regular updates and legal guidance are essential to protect your family and legacy.

Originally published September 9, 2010. Updated for 2025. There’s something graceful—and powerful—about smart messaging. It cuts through noise, builds trust, and moves people to act. And in an attention-starved, AI-saturated world, your website’s copy is either doing that… or driving people away. Whether you’re promoting a church, charity, university, or planned giving program, strong messaging isn’t just important—it’s everything. Especially when it comes to your most valuable screen real estate: your forms, calls-to-action, and sign-up prompts. Some organizations still don’t get it. Fortunately, others do—and the New York Public Library gave us a classic, clear-cut example. Back in 2010, Jeff Brooks over at FutureFundraisingNow.com compared two versions of NYPL’s e-newsletter sign-up page: one clunky, one clean. The contrast was so sharp it became a textbook case of messaging done right. And guess what? It’s still relevant today. Because even now, far too many nonprofits keep making the same mistakes. Let’s