Donor Behavior & Stewardship

  So it’s settled. Direct mail is a good idea. My husband and I run a small business. A very small business. So I was a little surprised to find out that we’re on Google’s mailing list. I’d understand if they sent me an email, or maybe a personalized video pop-up on YouTube. But no … the King of the Internet sent me a good old-fashioned letter, in a paper envelope, with a stamp, delivered by the postman. Yes, direct mail.

But did you hear about the doggy hotel your nonprofit is competing with? $175 per night. Your pooch can enjoy a poolside room with a view ($50 extra), an evening backrub ($25 extra), and even a bedtime story ($20 extra).

Mid-level donors are often overlooked when it comes to legacy giving conversations. They’re consistent, loyal, and quietly generous—yet rarely approached for more transformative gifts. That’s a mistake. Years ago, Tom Ligare and his colleagues at Planned Giving Marketing Solutions coined a term for a powerful strategy: Legacy Life Giving. It’s time to bring that concept back into the spotlight—with a modern twist. What Is “Legacy Life Giving”? Legacy Life Giving is a simple but underused technique: The donor purchases a

The article discusses how James H. Davidson, Jr. left his $2.175 million estate to help pay down the national debt, but questions whether this well-intentioned gift truly created a lasting impact given the debt’s enormous size ($34 trillion). It suggests his legacy could have made a more meaningful difference through endowed scholarships or lecture series rather than becoming “a rounding error” in government finances. The piece ultimately emphasizes the importance of strategic giving and planned legacy gifts.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.