Donor Behavior & Stewardship Archives

Giving

“I am too busy to think about planned giving”

Too busy? Or are you placing Planned Giving on the back burner, again? So many fundraisers make excuses, claiming they’ve placed planned giving on the back-burner because of tight budgets, smaller staffs and not enough time. Bull. There’s an underlying reason that none of us wants to acknowledge: Four years ago we asked fundraisers whether they believed planned giving is “where the money’s at.” A whopping 74% in the survey answered “yes.” But on the very next question, “Where do

Viken Mikaelian April 20, 2019 No Comments

Giving

How Far is Too Far?

“It’s never government, the economy, or tax laws that are our enemy. It’s ourselves.”— A CEO of a healthcare foundation, remaining anonymous.

Viken Mikaelian April 1, 2019 No Comments

Self Improvement & Career

Thinking of Switching Jobs?

There is a perception that many fundraisers are job-hoppers, never staying in one role or with one organization for long.

Viken Mikaelian March 26, 2019 No Comments

Stewardship and Relationships

Relationship or the Ask?

I recently saw a post on LinkedIn mentioning that “it’s all about the relationship, not the ask.” If you want to be in the top 5% in your career, read on …

Viken Mikaelian February 9, 2019 No Comments

How to Handle Sticky Situations Before They Happen

Stewardship and Relationships

Thanks, But No Thanks.

Legacy society member brings girlfriend to all organization events. She also attends events without him. She puts off other members by over-imbibing and being more outspoken than Whoopie Goldberg.

Viken Mikaelian June 15, 2018 No Comments

Bequests

Are You Sending Out Death Brochures?

That canned “planned giving newsletter” you’re paying for is viewed by your recipients as a “death brochure” and is going right into the trash. Spend your money wisely. (By Tom Ahern)

Tom Ahern April 27, 2018 No Comments

Stewardship and Relationships

Donor Events. Fun for Business?

The Gala Gambit: How Much Did Your Donor Event Really Cost? It’s no secret that some fundraisers rely on elaborate gimmicks and donor events to separate money from donors’ wallets. In a Disney movie, Daddy Warbucks would come to the rescue, expecting nothing in return for his donation but a feeling of peace and goodwill at the end of the day. Reality is very different, though, because most donors want something more than a clear conscience in return for

Viken Mikaelian April 6, 2018 No Comments

Giving

Catholics and Wealth

Catholics are uniquely at odds with the accumulation of personal wealth. Perhaps, it is because the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles suggest a vocational lifestyle of communal frugality as the path towards salvation. The Acts of the Apostles, chapter2, verses 44-45 provides a microcosmic glance at the life of the early Church: And all who shared the faith owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and distributed the proceeds among themselves according to what each

Jory Barad March 15, 2018 No Comments

Giving

Future of Planned Giving

Wondering What’s Ahead? Stop speculating and find out what the movement to merge planned giving with major gifts and principal gifts really means. Download our special report [PDF; instant free download]. Our panel of six industry experts covers topics including, “What are the pros and cons of a merge?” “What are the implications for planned giving as a specialty?” “When is it time to ‘outsource’ gift planning?” and “What can the car industry teach the philanthropy sector? Jeff Comfort

Viken Mikaelian January 22, 2018 No Comments

Planned Giving for Financial Advisors

Advisors and Philanthropy

The face of philanthropy is changing: Researchers found that many donors want to talk with an advisor before they’ll even approach a nonprofit to discuss their intentions.

Viken Mikaelian January 11, 2018 No Comments