Hello non-profit fundraisers and prospect researchers! NOZA is proud to post Part 1 of our blog series featuring the biggest mistakes to avoid when starting planned giving and endowment programs. The author of this post, Lorri Greif, is an outstanding development professional and non-profit consultant who has been working in the field for over 19 years.

Hope you enjoy this three-part blog series and if you have anything to add regarding your experience with planned giving, let us know by leaving a comment or emailing me directly.

Warm regards,
Jacqui Higgins
NOZA
jacqui@nozasearch.com


By Lorri M. Greif, CFRE, President Breakthrough Philanthropy, Inc

Naturally, we want to avoid all mistakes, not just the three biggest. However, no one is perfect and it’s understood that mistakes can and do happen. But, not every mistake guarantees failure…these three do.

1. No Board Support. As with any fundraising campaign, it is imperative that the organization’s board whole-heartedly support a planned giving program, and at the very least understand how important it is to an organization’s future. This is because Board members:

1. assume leadership roles for fundraising, especially designated campaigns.
2. are the ones that approve budgets, gift acceptance policies, and provide introductions to prospects.
3. who sit on fundraising committees must respond to more intense peer pressure and have more ownership and pride in a campaign’s success.
4. play a leadership role by setting an example for others.
5. are the most likely to make a planned gift since their commitment is strong.