Three Planned Giving Gems
Crescendo’s Practical Planned Giving Conference (PPGC) was a great opportunity for me to share how to ‘Ask for Anything Artfully’ and my brand new keynote, “Joyfully Adapt! Bravely Believe! Authentically Connect!” My thanks to Crescendo, the other amazing presenters, and over 500 folks who really connected with me and gave such positive feedback! Thank you!
But even more….
I took away 3 Planned Giving GEMS – and I want to share them with you!
Marcy’s Three Key Take Aways from PPGC
1. The foundation for all IMPACTFUL planned giving efforts is a genuine leadership culture that embraces and fosters authentic planned giving relationships.
Charles Schultz, President of Crescendo, is one of the most positive, sincere and dedicated leaders and giving professionals I have even known. Serving the donor permeated everything. We speakers all provided tangible marketing and planned giving tools and techniques — ALL in a framework that was remarkably donor centric. There was an undercurrent of respect, partnership-building and dedication to helping people help causes important to them. This true culture of generosity is spearheaded by Charles, his wife, Executive Vice President, Ardis Schultz and daughter, Executive Vice President, Kristen Schultz.
Troy Wada, conference attendee and Principal Wealth Advisor, of INPAC Wealth Solutions in Hawaii serves on the Ronald MacDonald House board – his passion. He partners with local non-nonprofits to help clients with wealth planning AND with making significant gifts. He said, “I’d rather leave a bigger mark.” Companies reflect their leadership.
2. People make their own choices and decisions.
Julie Heggeness, the Executive Director of Gift Planning for Hoag Hospital Foundation shared six donor stories in her keynote presentation. One was about a women who was tricked by an internet “romance” into sending over $8 million away, leaving nothing for her noted charities. Even with legal intervention and proof of the hoax she continued to send away her money.
You may have your horror story, too. You may also see how planned giving can make such a positive impact IF your donors would only take action. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”
3. The complexity of Planned Giving is all in your head!
Much of your fear of doing more with Planned Gifts comes from an “it’s so difficult” mindset. In my own keynote I quoted T Harv Eker who said, “Every master was once a disaster!” After spending this time at the conference I feel a lot less like a disaster! With the help of inexpensive ($5000/year) planned giving marketing tools you can plant the stories that help donors wonder if THEY, too, can do good! Andy Ragone of the Crescendo team said, “Keep it simple. Simple is sustainable.” Embrace that you are a dot-connector.
Generally gifts of cash and securities go to today’s needs of the organization. Planned giving is about your donor – her legacy. And real magic… using the distribution you HAVE TO take from your IRA or other retirement vehicle at age 70.5 to support a cause you have a heart for is a great way to use planned giving to help a charity with TODAY’S needs!
Know that setting your mind to increasing your major gifts, or your planned giving work is step #1 in helping you do more of your mission. Within you is the absolute power to rise above any situation or struggle and transform it into the strongest and the most beautiful version of you ever. Thank you! I appreciate you…always.
Invest in JOY®
