Have you ever heard someone say,  “We are such a small organization, we don’t have the resources for a Planned Giving program.” But the truth is, no organization can afford NOT to have a Planned Giving program.

The Great Wealth Transfer is happening now. An estimated $129 trillion is expected to be passed down from the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers to their heirs and charities over the next 10-20 years. 

While we wait for the Giving USA 2025 Report, last year’s report was a reminder of the importance of planned giving dollars in light of other declines. Of note, bequest giving was the only category to outpace inflation with a total of $42.68 billion.

Here’s the good news. Every organization can promote planned gifts. You don’t need to have a lawyer on staff. You don’t even need to be an expert on trusts or QCDs. You just need to start the conversation with your donors.

Here are Impact’s Eight Sure-Fire Planned Giving Tools that you need to get started:

1. Include a planned giving checkbox on every direct mail campaign and online donation forms when possible. “Please send me information about leaving a gift to [Your Organization Name] in my will, trust, or by beneficiary designation.”
2. Add an insert, often called a buckslip, in acknowledgment packages to promote planned giving with donor testimonials, sample will language, and more.
3. Feature legacy donors in articles in your donor newsletters and annual reports.
4. Produce a dedicated planned giving newsletter that shares mission impact stories and educates donors about the different types of planned gifts.
5. Send a survey (including a digital version) that asks questions about your donor’s involvement with the mission and if they would consider leaving a gift in their will, trust, or by beneficiary designation.
6. Promote planned gifts on Facebook, Instagram, and even through targeted digital advertising.
7. Invite board members and other volunteers to lead by example and leave their own gift to your organization.
8. Create easily accessible pages on your website where donors (and their advisors) can find sample language, tax identification numbers, and a contact person for planned giving assistance.

Questions?
We’d love to chat more and brainstorm together. Please reach out to learn more about how we can help you build your planned giving program.