October 18, 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute
NEW BOOKS
Raising Money Through Bequests: How Your Organization Can Profit From the Biggest Intergenerational Transfer of Wealth in History
by David Valinsky and Melanie Boyd
“If you’re not out there inviting a donor to join your bequest society, be assured that other organizations are,” write David Valinsky, a nonprofit consultant, and Melanie Boyd, a development officer at a community-based correctional organization.
According to Giving USA’s 2006 report, charities received $22.9-billion through bequests, 7.8 percent of the total giving that year. The book seeks to provide basic background information and helpful tips on encouraging bequests.
One important step in the process is to create a bequest-advisory committee, made up of volunteers, board members, and financial or legal advisers — and as diverse as possible in experience and profession, the authors write.
This group will “serve as ambassadors and advocates” to potential donors, help with marketing efforts, identify prospects — and agree to make bequests themselves. “To be successful, your bequest program must start with your inner family,” the authors argue.
The book’s other chapters discuss meetings, legal language for wills, creating a “case for support” statement, and approaches for promoting bequests. Appendices include examples of newsletters, response cards, and other documents, and a commentary on what makes each one strong.
Publisher: Emerson & Church, P.O. Box 338, Medfield, Mass. 02052; (508) 359-0019; fax (508) 359-2703; http://www.emersonandchurch.com; 101 pages; $24.95; ISBN 978-1-889102-29-0.
