The Biggest Mistakes to Avoid when Starting a Planned Giving or Endowment Program- Part Two
By Lorri M. Greif, CFRE, President Breakthrough Philanthropy, Inc
- Poorly Planned and Unrealistic Budget. Every campaign takes planning, and the budget to support those plans. Sometimes, organizations do not take into consideration that creating and growing a successful comprehensive planned giving program involves more that an occasional letter to donors or an article in the quarterly newsletter. Even a very basic "bequests" program requires formalized administration and policies that make it work smoothly and more profitably, and someone to oversee bequest distributions, answer questions from donors and estate executors, and perform some clerical duties. Yet, funds are not allotted for such obvious items as:
- Marketing materials including brochures, newsletters, etc.
- Advertising
- Direct mail solicitations (design & postage)
- Recognition
- Seminars
- Professional asset management for planned gifts
- Life-income gift administration
- Occasional legal or other types of professional expert assistance and more that goes into the budget of a fundraising campaign.
and not so obvious items such as:
I think all accountants should be reading these posts. While we think they are aware of all of these requirements and legal nuances, too often the details slip through the cracks. This also might make a great CPE course series Lorri, unless you've already thought of it.
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