When I went off to camp as a kid, I hated playing sports in the first few days. I was tinier and scrawnier than my fellow campers and inevitably I was the last and very reluctant pick when the team captains were deciding which players would be best. Then, whoever got stuck with me either benched me or stuck me way in the outfield or in some other "unlikely to be important" spot for the game.  

It wasn't until camp was in full swing that they got to see how athletic and valuable I could be as a player because they mistakenly overlooked my talent as a runner and very spry jumper, thanks to my tiny build. 

Is it any wonder that when I grew up I chose to become a fundraising consultant specializing in planned giving? Not just a fundraiser - a planned giving fundraiser! I understand from whence being overlooked comes. 

So often, when nonprofits work at expanding their development revenues, they look at the obvious but not always the easiest or smartest way to go: 

• They may decide to add an annual event, which can be a very labor intensive process. 
• Others look towards strengthening an existing major gifts campaign, or creating a new one or raising their levels of major gifting. This can get really complicated. 
• And there's the direct marketing campaign which may help raise giving levels and bring in new supporters - or not. 

Executive Directors and VPs of Development nod their heads and say it won't happen overnight but will eventually prove successful because every professional fundraiser knows that building campaigns and developing new money-raising avenues takes time (I know this too).

So, what's missing? Do I even have to say it? The campaign that will absolutely be a slam-dunk: where's the planned giving campaign!?!  This is something that will, without any doubt, result in more gifts than if there' s no campaign for it.  With no qualms at all - I GUARANTEE IT!  If people are regularly giving you money,  then you can ask them to leave you money. 

I've asked some development professionals why they're "not in the game" and their replies are something like "who wants to think about death?" or "I'm concerned I'll offend our donor." Some even admit that they think it may be complicated (like fundraising isn't often complicated). And - most shocking - I've even heard "what's planned giving?"

If you're not using some form of planned giving fundraising, I suggest you re-evaluate what you're using to win more gifts. More and more charities are using planned giving as an extra way to stay in touch with their donors during this recession. It will definitely bring something new to your "team" and make your organization more competitive. I wouldn't be so passionate about it if I wasn't sure.

You can also check out my FREE webinar entitled: Planned Giving - What It Is - What It Takes, on July 21st at 1:00PM.

Here's the link to register:  
http://www.ventureneer.com/planned-giving-here%E2%80%99s-what-it-%E2%80%93-here%E2%80%99s-what-it-takes