Why it matters
Planned gifts often come from loyal, modest donors rather than your largest ones. People who have given steadily for years are the best prospects, and many would say yes if someone simply asked.
Start small. Add a line about leaving a gift in your will to your newsletter and website, and thank anyone who tells you they have done it. The details of trusts and annuities belong with the donor's own advisor, so check with your accountant or an attorney before you promise anything.
How Steward shows it
Each donor profile in Steward has a Planned giving line where you mark a confirmed planned gift, a planned-giving prospect or estate giving. There is also a Planned Giving list for the type, such as a bequest or a charitable remainder trust, and an estimated value.
Related terms
- Major gift A major gift is a gift large enough that your organization handles it personally, with visits, a tailored ask and close stewardship. The dollar threshold is set by each organization, not by the sector.
- Stewardship Stewardship is everything a nonprofit does after a gift arrives: thanking the donor, showing them what the gift did, and keeping the relationship warm so they choose to give again.
- Gift acceptance policy Gift acceptance policy means a board-approved document setting out which gifts a nonprofit will accept, which it will refuse, and who decides the unusual ones, such as property, stock, vehicles or gifts with conditions.
The free Lost & Found audit reads a giving export in your browser and shows your lapsing donors and what they used to give. Nothing is uploaded. Then bring the same file to a 20-minute demo.