Why You Should Never Rush a Donor
A major-gift fundraiser shares two lessons he learned about asking for a donation too soon.
5 Things to Do After a First Meeting with a Major-Gift Prospect
Here’s a checklist of your next steps.
A Step-by-Step Guide for Donors Setting Up a Planned Gift
The Ocean Conservancy uses this informational packet to help donors make decisions—and commitments—about planned gifts.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Explaining Planned-Giving Options to Donors
The Ocean Conservancy uses this booklet to explain donors’ options when making a gift from their estates.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Setting Up a Planned Giving Program
Where to start when considering asking donors for planned gifts.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Important Planned Giving Terms and Phrases
Important terms to understand before getting started with a planned giving program.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
A Sample Gift Agreement From the University of Texas at Austin
The university tries to limit the number of times donors have to sign their name, and prefers to make the signing an in-person event.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Amnesty International USA’s Campaign Pledge Form
The form allows donors to pledge endowment gifts and annual support at the same time.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
An Acknowledgement Letter for a Gift of Stock
A Better Chance, an education charity, uses a version of this letter to thank donors who give stock.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
A Template for a Planned-Gift Letter of Intent
A sample form to collect information from donors about their estate gifts.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
The Ocean Conservancy’s Planned-Gift Confirmation Form
The nonprofit asks donors to let them know when they’ve made a planned gift—but the organization doesn’t ask about the dollar value first.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Chapman U. Settles Suit Alleging Exploitation of Older Donor
The Southern California institution said Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to end a lawsuit brought earlier this month by a 98-year-old donor who claimed the university took advantage of his advanced age to secure a $12-million gift for a new building, the Orange County Register reports.
How a Collaboration Between Two Departments is Yielding Planned-Giving Success
A partnership between planned giving and membership at the Ocean Conservancy is leading to more planned gifts and better direct-mail response.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
How to Make the Most of Your Meetings with Big Donors
Key concepts to help fundraisers prepare for their first visit with major-gift prospects.
Two Big Gifts Boost New Care Center at St. Jude in Memphis
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has received a $50-million pledge from Sterling Jewelers to support new facilities on the Memphis medical campus, the Memphis Business Journal writes.
Feeney Donates $100-Million to New San Francisco Hospital
Charles Feeney’s gift to the newly opened UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay will primarily support research and treatment related to neuroscience and aging, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.