3 Things You Can Do Now in Response to Current Fundraising Trends

By Chip Grizzard

Planned giving

My final strategy to leverage the current fundraising trends is to commit to legacy giving. Over the next 15 years, there will be a 70 percent increase in the number of people 65 or older. In a recent survey, 90 percent of respondents said they would consider including a charity in their wills. The follow-up question asked if they already had included a charity in their wills. Only 10 percent responded favorably to the second question, which seems to indicate that we are not asking enough.

The market is expanding, people are receptive to including charities in their wills and the generational transfer of wealth is underway.

Many charities with mature planned-giving programs are generating 20 percent of their annual operating budgets from matured planned gifts. Imagine what you could do if 20 percent of your budget was already accounted for. Now is the time to create your legacy and secure the future of your organization.

Chip Grizzard is CEO of Grizzard Communications Group. Reach him on Twitter at @chipgrizzard