CATEGORY
“Socks again???” A childhood lesson taught me gratitude matters more than the gift. In philanthropy, the same truth holds: donors remembered with sincere thanks give again. One genuine thank-you call transformed a modest supporter into a six-figure benefactor. Authentic appreciation doesn’t just acknowledge—it builds legacies and lasting partnerships.
If you’re making a charitable donation to your favorite nonprofit, make sure you’re eligible for an income tax deduction for the current year by meeting these important dates. Some other criteria apply, too.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Free Online Will & Estate Planning Tool for Charitable Giving
A donor-facing estate planning tool designed to help document charitable intent.
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