Why Focus on Legacies & Gift Planning Today?

bright blue CompassSustainable Funding

Legacy and other gift planning programs offer a key opportunity for sustainable funding. And one major benefit is cost-effectiveness.

smiling woman with chart showing growth

An Excellent Source of Unrestricted Funds

Planned gifts provide a source of unrestricted funds to support core operation costs, support that is difficult to get through grants or government support.

The much-heralded intergenerational transfer of wealth is happening. Worldwide, triillions of dollars are changing hands from one generation to the next. 

In today's economic situation it Is particularly important to focus on Legacy and Gift Planning programs

Never has there been a better moment to convert best intentions into action.

Even organizations with well-established fundraising programs are turning or returning their focus on gift planning.

In 2008, three-quarters of the largest gifts received by charities came from bequests, whereas in the previous year all the biggest gifts were made from living donors. (Chronicle of Philanthropy, "Philanthropy 50").

You Don't Have to be an Expert Yourself

You don't have to be an expert on charitable remainder trusts or other exotic forms of planned gifts in order to make a healthy start in basic gift planning. In fact, good gift planning is as much about communications and marketing as it is about the technical side of fundraising.

older couple close up smiling

It's All About Storytelling

Gift planning involves communicating vision and passion to your donors, who in turn will make a significant gift from assets rather than income, which is what gift planning is all about.

Last modified: Monday, 27 July 2026, 1:19 PM