by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin We have long contended that planned giving must be a component in every non-profit’s fundraising repertoire, yet today we still see a level of reluctance to address this important philanthropic priority by non-profits of all ages, sizes, and areas of interest. Both professional and lay leaders have seemingly hesitated to discuss this topic as an organizational imperative or as a charitable option with donors. They believe it will not appeal to them and do not want to jeopardize, or worse, cannibalize an opportunity to secure an annual or even a capital contribution today. However, this is a mistake! Make no mistake: testamentary giving conversations serve to launch (or re-introduce) important giving opportunities and generally tantalize donor … Continue Reading
An Aging Nation
excerpted from a paper presented at the National Conference on Philanthropic Planning, October 17, 2009: Are Demographics Destiny? Contending with America’s Looming Demographic Upheavals We are an aging nation. On August 18 of this year, the Bureau of Census released a report that the average life expectancy of Americans was at an all time high, 78 years. By 2015, one in every 5 Americans will be over the age of 65. By mid-century, the number of those over 65 will have tripled. However, the story of aging, and its implications for philanthropy, extends far beyond even these striking numbers. First, the larger economic consequences are significant. By 2025, nearly 80% of dependents will be elderly rather than children. Elder dependency has three times the societal support costs of youth … Continue Reading
Is Planned Giving Part of Your Agency’s Program? part 2
(Part 2 of 2) by Robert I. Evans & Avrum D. Lapin Fact: approximately 8% of all charitable giving in the U.S. in 2008 ($22.7 billion) came in the form of testamentary gifts, according to Giving USA. This represents significantly more than all giving by business/corporate sources and almost as much as foundations provided. Fact: the U.S. death rate has slowed significantly and people (including Jews) are living much longer. With these statistics in perspective, we contend that too many Jewish nonprofits are not embracing the creation of a formal planned giving program, thereby offering donors opportunities to make contributions to a wide range of organizational programs and needs. Our previous planned giving commentary in eJewish Philanthropy emphasized that no fundraising effort is … Continue Reading
Is Planned Giving Part of Your Agency’s Program?
(Part 1 of 2 commentaries) by Robert I. Evans & Avrum D. Lapin Fact: approximately 8% of all charitable giving in the U.S. in 2008 ($22.7 billion) came in the form of testamentary gifts, according to Giving USA. This represents significantly more than all giving by business/corporate sources and almost as much as foundations provided. Too many Jewish nonprofits are yet to recognize the importance of developing a formal planned giving program, through which donors can make significant gifts to support a host of purposes, ranging from programmatic issues to many different types of positions or even unrestricted endowments. We believe that no fundraising effort is complete today without a planned giving component. In saying this, we underscore that testamentary gifts come in many ways, ranging … Continue Reading
UJC Survey Shows Importance of Planned Giving
UJC/The Jewish Federations of North America has released a survey of Federation endowment development showing that foundations continue to record the strongest growth despite the economic downturn, reflecting the increasing significance of planned giving as part of overall Federation fundraising. The survey, drawn from responses by 60 communities, is the most comprehensive data available about endowment and foundation giving in the Jewish Federation system. This year's survey showed that in 2008, planned giving contributions totaled $1.4 billion - 58 percent of the $2.4 billion total contributed to Federations and foundations. Gifts to planned giving programs have grown at a compound rate of five percent over the past 10 years, resulting in planned gifts exceeding - and in some years even … Continue Reading
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