Give and Take

As long as technology has existed, there’s been a perception that seniors are not just slow to adopt it, but resistant to use it. The advent of the computer age in the 20th Century thrust that perception into the spotlight as younger generations raced toward the digital age and older generations held back. Now, in the 21st Century, computers, tablets, and smartphones are ubiquitous. Even our TVs are “smart.” Still, there are fundraisers who say things like, “Our donors are all elderly, so they aren’t online.” That’s why, in 2002 and again in 2017, we dove into research on the role that technology plays in the lives of senior citizens. Both times we surprised the skeptics.

As you are likely aware, you can avoid long-term capital gains tax while maximizing tax deductions through charitable stock gifting. Read this article to see how the tax savings can stack up.

To fully empower our donors, fundraisers must consider the long-term within the major giving sphere. Think about it – You cultivate, you discover. You steward, you engage. You ask … and you receive!  You thank … and then what? You drop and move on to the next prospect, the next check?

A donor makes a verbal promise to include a planned gift for your organization in their will, but they never send you a signed intention form. Then the donor dies. How do you ask the family if the gift was included in the donor’s estate plan? This type of situation happens frequently.

Sometimes a board member or nonprofit will ask us, “Why planned giving? People are giving us annual gifts and we don’t want to impact that source of revenue.” Unfortunately, this is the logic that keeps among the 99% of nonprofits that do not pursue planned gifts. Here’s how to join the top 1%.

Making a difference can seem daunting. The good news is you are not alone in being the change. There are more than 1.8 million nonprofits registered in the US working toward your same dreams. Your estate planning and other heavily taxed assets can be your greatest tools (and your greatest savings) in partnering with nonprofits to make the change you want to see.
Planned Giving is for You — Yes, You.

It’s tempting to think about marketing as a collection of traditional outreach. Sure, part of it is which we have been offering for years. Display ads, postcards, surveys, tag lines, digital media, videos — the list goes on. But marketing is more than that. Marketing also includes things you might not immediately think of.

What would you do if you had a verbal commitment for a planned gift—and the donor died before putting it into writing? It happens more often than you’d think. Here’s a real-world example of how stewardship can save the day. 

Navigating the complexities of estate planning and charitable giving can be daunting, but with the right tools and guidance, you can help donors make a meaningful impact and ensure that their legacy endures for generations to come.