PLANNED GIVING – COMMUNICATION AND BRAINSTORM

            In continuing our talk on planned giving, I want to elaborate on the topic of communication.

            I’ve spoken about the importance of planned giving, and that makes sense. If someone believes that the church’s work is important enough to support while living, of course they’d want to support it after as well.

            Talk about planned giving

            Prepare a tri-fold

            Maybe even do a workshop to help people understand about different ways to give

            But is that enough? Now, I have to be fair; that’s how I started and how I acted when planned giving was “assigned” to me in a local church.

            But there’s a couple steps that I missed.

            We have to communicate better. A tri-fold is great; but are you ready for some real conversations? We need to talk about why planned giving is important, but we also need to talk about how those gifts will be used.

            If someone were to come up to you in the local church and ask “I have $100,000, or half a million, or a million, or just several thousand that I want to give the church; what are you going to do with it?” How would you answer that question? You HAVE to have an answer. I can almost guarantee that a nonprofit that is asked that question, has an answer, or several answers. So this leads us to the fun part of our conversation. Gather a team together (not a committee). This team should be comprised of a pastor, a lay leader, member of trustees, member of finance, and some other members of the church who LOVE the church and LOVE what God is doing through that church. Brainstorm. If money were no object, what are those things that would help the church?

           

            Some will be capital improvements (new roof, landscaping, new doors or windows)

            Others may be capital changes – new wing on the church, purchase of property

            Others may be programmatic – programs and ministries that you haven’t been able to do because there just is never enough

            Others may be staffing – new staff membership, training of current staff, etc.

            There are so many things you could consider. Don’t worry about whether they are good ideas, or the best ideas, just start brainstorming and writing them down.

            Then take some time and celebrate what you are doing and what you’ve accomplished!

            Then, go through those brainstormed ideas and sort them. Some may be ideas that aren’t every going to be feasible or possible, but don’t throw them out. Put them to the side; things could change.

            Then, with what’s left, sort by what are some real needs and how could monetary gifts help achieve them.

            When you have a good handle on all these ideas, now comes some work:

            Who are a few people (maybe from this team, maybe not) that could be the point people for planned giving and gifts? Who could people talk to if they are interested in making a gift? Have these people who have been chosen practice their responses.

            Communicate some of these ideas. They may motivate people to name the church in their wills, or make some special gifts now.

            Don’t just create and put out a tri-fold and hope for the best. Have someone who has named the church in their will or in a trust, or who has given a special “planned” gift talk about it.

            Talk about it regularly; be available for conversation and questions.

            If you wish more information on anything you’ve been reading about, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org.  I’d be happy to help or answer any questions.