Employing reverse mortgages and gift annuities can help planned-giving officers guide elderly donors into mutually beneficial arrangements.

By Steffan F. Cress

Much of the aforementioned is a generalization. The responsible planned-giving officer will consult with the board and a legal adviser before adding this strategy to the policy manual. It also is assumed that the planned-giving officer has a basic understanding of the rules and regulations governing GA issues.

Also, it should be said that the successful planned-giving officer is in the relationship business. This strategy fills the bill for a high level of donor cultivation, service and relationship building. As for a business-development function, the RM lender might have a company foundation that issues grants or it might be enlisted as a corporate sponsor for a special event, securing another relationship.

When you can show your donors how to do good and do well at the same time, your organization will fulfill its mission beyond all goals and expectations.

Steffan F. Cress is the director of major gifts at The Children’s Home in Tampa, Fla.