Give and Take

Too many nonprofits miss easy opportunities to remind donors about legacy giving in their annual fund communications. While major campaigns focus on "demystifying legacy giving," simple tweaks in regular outreach can be just as effective. Add a legacy message to your email footer, highlight donor stories, include a subtle legacy ask in year-end appeals, and train your team to introduce the idea naturally. Legacy giving isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s about impact. Small adjustments today can inspire transformational gifts tomorrow.

Matching gifts amplify donor impact, inspiring larger contributions and attracting new supporters. Smith College and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation leveraged this strategy with our expertly crafted landing pages, blending donor immersion and storyselling. These campaigns seamlessly integrate planned giving exposure into the donor journey—turning a simple match into a powerful, long-term giving strategy.

S.R.O.I. In today’s competitive fundraising environment, nonprofits must think beyond immediate revenue and consider long-term sustainability. Planned giving is often viewed as a long-term revenue stream, but its true value extends beyond financial returns. By embracing a Strategic Return on Investment (SROI) approach, nonprofits can leverage planned giving not only for revenue but also to build authority, trust, and donor loyalty that lasts generations. The Strategic Return of Planned Giving Higher Gift Values and Lifelong Donor Engagement Planned gifts consistently outsize annual gifts by a significant margin. Research from Dr. Russell James, a leading expert in charitable giving psychology, highlights that donors who include a bequest in their will often increase their lifetime giving as well. This challenges the common misconception that planned giving cannibalizes other fundraising efforts. Instead, planned giving deepens donor commitment and reinforces their connection to the organization’s mission, leading to both immediate and future financial gains.

The No-Risk Real Estate Exchange approach helps retirement communities fill vacancies faster by eliminating the biggest barrier: seniors waiting to sell their homes. Through a structured sale, seniors get immediate cash to cover move-in costs, while the remaining home value becomes a tax-deductible charitable gift. The process is fast, seamless, and zero-risk—funds are secured before move-in and directed into the community’s endowment. Seniors gain peace of mind and flexibility, while communities avoid delays and secure long-term financial stability.

More and more nonprofits are allocating funds to planned giving marketing, recognizing its power to secure long-term donor support. This quick guide outlines practical numbers for budgeting across small, medium, and larger organizations. Learn how to determine your overall marketing spend and allocate the right percentage to planned giving, ensuring your campaign is well-positioned for sustained legacy donations. With clear examples and proven success stories, this guide empowers nonprofits to strategically invest in their future financial stability for lasting impact.

Clients and friends often ask if including a reply mechanism on their planned giving postcards is worth the added expense. It depends on the circumstances, but generally, I do not feel it’s worth it. As we all know, planned giving is a low-response business. So even with the most successful direct mail programs, we see very few reply cards actually filled out and returned. However, this does not mean your information is not getting read. It’s just that most people are not going to take the time to respond, on a whim, to questions about a subject that requires some in-depth thought and planning. See this page for planned giving marketing strategies. Remember: You are not selling sweepstakes. You’re educating. You’re reminding. And you’re building relationships. Why Frequency Matters More Than a Response Card What does this mean for you? You’ll have additional opportunities to reach your prospects. Marketing 101