Give and Take

Male nonprofit executive worried about budget in front of laptop
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

How to Get More Money For Your Planned Giving Budget

“But they cut my budget this year!” It’s the same story, year after year, no matter what the economy’s doing. People blame their inability to “do planned giving” on a lack of money. After 25 years in the planned giving marketing world this complaint comes in consistently. So what else has changed? I hear this in the corporate world, too.

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Busting Myths Envelope
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

5 Common Planned Giving Myths

Planned giving often ranks as one of the most intimidating forms of fundraising. However, planned giving is a sleeping giant, capable of directing significant donations to your nonprofit through donor-advised funds, bequests, and other planned giving vehicles. Help planned giving pay off for your organization by avoiding these five common mistakes in the planned giving sector.

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December 31 Year End
Year-End Giving
Caitlin Fillmore

Make These 3 Adjustments to Your Nonprofit Before 2024

Believe it or not, we’re officially at the halfway point to this year. As we continue to advance our missions in the months ahead, there are a few key tips that will set you up for success in 2024. Before we get swept up in year-end campaigns and Giving Tuesday efforts, take a moment to check in with these simple ideas for the months ahead.

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Marketing Concepts
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

The Second Worst Marketing Mistake

Of all the marketing mistakes I’ve seen nonprofits make in planned giving, perfectionism is the second-worst. The first-worst is not doing any marketing at all. If you wonder why your planned giving program is inching along at a snail’s pace, perfectionism might be the problem.

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Attitude Changes Everything
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Nowhere To Go But Up

If you follow philanthropy news, you’ve seen the headlines: “2022 Worst Year Ever for Fundraising!” “2023 Shaping Up to Be Even Worse!”

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Website Construction
Planned Giving Marketing
Steve Perry

Do You Really Need a Planned Giving Website?

A planned giving website gives our “silent donors” (the ones who choose not to tell us about a planned gift) a place to go for information. Even the oldest prospects are online these days — they’re connecting with friends and family on social media; getting news from their favorite network’s website; and learning more about the causes they love by visiting them online. An online presence for your planned giving program is a 24/7 tool.

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Balloons Rising With People Cheering
Estate Planning
Caitlin Fillmore

What is the Donor Bill of Rights?

Transparency and building trust rank near the top for values fundraisers must cultivate. With competition for donor dollars increasing year after year, adopting a clear and validated set of professional values will boost donor peace of mind. The Donor Bill of Rights delivers a widely-accepted list of basic expectations between donors and their chosen nonprofits. Consider adopting these guidelines to lend legitimacy to your organization. This document will also help you observe the building blocks for a well-functioning development department.

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Fundraising Appeals
The Ask
Jennifer Brown

5 Elements of Effective Fundraising Appeals

For many nonprofits, the fundraising appeal provides the backbone for year-end, fiscal year-end, and annual campaigns. The appeal, often a direct mail letter or e-blast, frames the most important concepts surrounding your nonprofit and encourages donors to join the cause. Because an appeal is so essential, fundraisers must begin with a solid foundation for this fundraising strategy. Follow these five elements of effective fundraising appeals as a useful template for all of your upcoming appeals.

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I didn't take it with me; I had it delivered cartoon.
Beneficiary Designations
Patrick O'Donnell

Beneficiary Designations

Bequests and Beneficiary Designations make up over 92.5% of all planned gifts. And it’s a very simple gift for your supporters to make since it does not affect their cashflow or lifestyle during their lifetime.

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Legacy Planner Logo

Making Estate Planning Accessible, Simple, Personal, Secure and FREE!

Bequests are up, cash is down. Empower your donors to plan their will and invest their legacy in the cause they support the most.

Reach out! We look forward to hearing from you.

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