CFRE Many years ago, after I got my first car and became solely responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of this prized possession, I ran out of gas a few times. I commented to my father on this obvious automotive shortcoming.
Nothing comes from nothing.
Carrying forward this analogy into the world of professional fund development and planned giving, we can say that you will only receive results from your planned giving program in direct proportion to the investment of time and budget dollars you put into it. Board members who vote on these budget items need to understand and accept that dollars put into the planned giving budget are a long-term investment in the charity's donors. Board members who approve the planned giving budget will essentially be saying that those donors who believe strongly in the value of the charity's mission will want to include that charity in their estate planning. Board members will be saying that, if the charity positions itself as wanting and needing these types of financial support, if the charity shares with its donors how they can make these unique gifts, then these donors will respond in a positive way. These are those Category A donors who have met the criteria of being the most receptive to planned giving cultivation.