Planned Giving: Top 10 Questions to Spark a Conversation
Could your organization use an extra $100,000 this year? Did you know you can raise that $100,000 with as little as one or two planned gifts?
If you don’t have a planned giving program, I can help you create one in as little as 90 days. Imagine going from nothing to a full planned giving effort by Dec. 31, complete with data analysis, program development, training, and collateral material design.
You might be missing out on thousands or even millions of dollars in planned gifts you could use to achieve your mission. And, research by Texas Tech University shows that planned giving donors often increase the level of their annual gifts. After all, they’re an investor in your future. They want to see you succeed.
By creating a complete planned giving program, you can increase both your immediate annual gifts and create long-term stability.
What is planned giving?
Planned giving is a way for donors to support organizations they care about with gifts that go beyond what they usually give each year. There are many types of planned gifts, and most involve giving something other than cash. Life insurance, 401Ks, appreciated stocks, real estate, and beneficiary designations are a few examples. Donors can give some right now. With others, the donor commits now, but the gift is paid after death. These gifts have benefits for the donor, and for the organization that accepts them.
It can take some time for a planned giving effort to pay off, but there’s never been a better time to start. If you have a donor with a long history of giving to your organization, even at modest levels, you may want to introduce planned gifts that they might not have considered. How do you do that? Start by talking with them.
What do you say to start a planned giving conversation with a loyal donor?
Asking meaningful questions and listening purposefully is a skill you can grow over time. Here are 10 questions to ask when talking to donors about planned giving:
I’m interested in hearing your story. Would you share it with me?
Tell me about your connection to our organization.
What do you consider most meaningful or worthwhile about the work we’re doing?
So, it sounds like you care about _______?
Who taught you to be generous? Where did you learn to give?
What inspires you to give?
How would you like to make a difference in our community?
Where does our organization fall within your list of giving priorities?
If there were no restrictions on you, what would you like to do with your giving?
If you were to make a significant commitment, is there a particular area you’d want your gift to support?
Let’s talk about your planned giving program
To learn more about planned gifts and how you can significantly increase your fundraising by incorporating them into your strategy, schedule a complimentary call with me.
I look forward to talking with you about your fundraising challenges.
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Let’s develop an effective fundraising plan, boost the performance of your team, ensure your organization’s sustainability, and overcome your leadership challenges by examining your mindset now. Contact me today!