Support from the Top | Standard 2
The nonprofit has a strong internal business case for gift planning embraced by management and Board.
Checklist |
Credible external research on demographic and philanthropic trends informs the business case |
The organization has data to support its average estate gift size and known to unknown gifts ratio |
The organization measures its cost to raise a dollar and return on investment for planned gift fundraising over a 10-year period |
The internal case is available for review and is presented periodically, especially at times of organizational change or leadership transition |
Tools |
FREE Planned Giving in the Big Picture: Talking About Your Numbers to the People Who Count (Steven Meyers and Bill Samers) |
FREE Building Organizational Passion and Commitment for Gift Planning (Elaine Eberhart) |
CGP Link Resource Collection—Research filter |
"Counting, Numbers, Value and the Big Picture," (Steven Meyers--excerpt from Personalized Philanthropy: Crash the Fundraising Matrix) |
Winning Hearts and Minds INSIDE Your Organization: Becoming Your Best Planned Giving Program Advocate (Cathy Sheffield and Patrick Schmitt) |
The Case for Gift Planning: Analyzing the Cost to Raise a Planned Gift Dollar (Kristen Dugdale) |
Planned Giving: Getting Everyone on Board (or at least not jumping ship) (Aviva Boedecker) |
Support from the Top | Standard 3
Each member of the nonprofit’s management team is committed to relationship-based, collaborative fundraising and sees gift planning as an integral part of the donor experience across all lines of fundraising.
Checklist |
Fundraising expectations, roles and responsibilities for managers, executives and volunteer leaders are clearly documented |
All fundraisers, adjacent staff and volunteer leaders receive training on planned and noncash gifts at least annually |
All fundraisers have goals and metrics that encourage them to engage all donors in gift planning conversations |
Tools |
FREE Sharing the Legacy: Promoting Gift Planning Through Trustee Engagement (Nancy Baker and Abby Favro) |
Engaging the Board in Planned Giving: Governance and Marketing (Kathryn Miree) |
Making Your Board an Effective Partner on your Fundraising Team (Julia Ingraham Walker) |
Board Fundraising Policy: Key Elements, Practical Tips, and Sample Policy (BoardSource) |
Support from the Top | Standard 4
The nonprofit has clear policies to manage risk and ensure accountability to donors and the nonprofit and the public.
Checklist |
The following policies are documented and accessible to staff and donors: |
Gift counting policy for donor recognition and reporting of progress toward annual and/or campaign goals |
Gift valuation policy to specify how deferred gifts are valued in current dollars |
Gift acceptance policies for all types of gifts and assets that the charity will accept |
Naming policies |
Donor recognition policies |
Stewardship policies |
Endowment management policies |
Donor data management policies |
Gift administration policies |
Tools |
FREE Creating and Implementing Effective Planned Giving Program Policies and Procedures (Phil Purcell) |
FREE Sorry, We Really Can't Accept Your Mouse Trap! Candidly Exploring the Acceptance and Counting of Unique, Complex and Special Planned Gifts (Philip Watson) |
Effective Gift Acceptance Policies and Procedures (David Wheeler Newman) |
Model Long-Term Gift Agreement and Gift Acceptance Policies and Procedures (National Association of Charitable Gift Planners) |
Gift Acceptance Guidelines (Santa Clara University) |
Fundraising Counting and Reporting Policy (Humboldt State University) |
Gift Acceptance, Counting and Reporting Policy (Carnegie Mellon University) |
The Elements Of A Good Gift Acceptance Policy (Jon Tidd, Trusts & Estates, September 20, 2019) |
Best Practices in Donor Recognition (ADRP/AASP) |
Best Practices: Gift Acknowledgement (ADRP/AASP) |
The Ability and Capacity to Execute | Standard 11
The nonprofit has qualified staff in place to drive and support the gift planning process.
Checklist |
Job descriptions for all development personnel are up to date and easily accessible to staff |
There is a standard orientation process for all new hires that includes review of strategic plan and all gift planning policies, procedures and metrics |
All fundraisers receive performance reviews annually |
The organization has access to technical expertise on staff or through volunteers or paid counsel |
Tools |
FREE "Hiring, Motivating and Retaining High Impact Charitable Planners" (Kathryn Miree and Jeff Comfort) |
"How to Identify, Hire and Retain the 'Perfect' Planned Giving Officer," (Kathryn Miree) |
"The Six Faces of Gift-planning Officers," (Kathryn Miree, Planned Giving Today, December 2013) |
FREE "A Nonprofit Organization's Guide to Engaging an Executive Search Firm," Bridgespan Group |
Building Sustainable "Best in Class" Fundraising Teams (Steve Goodner) |
Donor-Centric Engagement and Management | Standard 13
All donors and prospects are offered timely, accurate gift planning information to ethically maximize the donor’s charitable impact and personal benefit.
Checklist |
The organization formally endorses the Donor Bill of Rights and CGP Model Standards of Practice for the Charitable Gift Planner |
All fundraisers receive training on planned gift tools and techniques and ethical issues at least quarterly |
Donor-focused information about gift planning opportunities is included on the organization’s web site and in print materials |
Internal resources (staff, web site, mailings, gift illustration software etc.) and external resources (technical advisors) are available to answer donor questions |
Tools |
FREE How to Train Your DO: Deploy an Army of Skilled Gift Planners (Katherine Kotlzrczyk) |
Training Boot Camp (Alexandria Brovey) |
Model Standards of Practice for the Charitable Gift Planner (National Association of Charitable Gift Planners) |
Donor Bill of Rights (Association of Fundraising Professionals) |
Donor-Centric Engagement and Management | Standard 16
The nonprofit has a donor-centric culture that meets the needs of each donor.
Checklist |
The organization tracks retention for all donors and reviews statistics annually and for a 10-year period |
The organization tracks Legacy Society members as a group and reports data on their giving and engagement annually |
The organization seeks feedback from donors regularly to understand communication preferences and solicit feedback |
Tools |
FREE Donor Insights: Why Planned Gifts Remain Secret (Katherine Kotlarczyk and Gordon Trafton) |
Donor Retention: What Do We Know and What Can We Do About It? (Adrian Sargeant) |
Commission on the Donor Experience Studies (Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration) |
Leaving a Legacy: A New Look at Planned Giving Donors (Giving USA Special Report) |