Where were you when this decade began?
Ten years ago my wife and I had recently moved back to Iowa after our stint in Washington D.C. We were fairly new parents with our second boy on the way. I had just been promoted to Vice President, Business Development of The Stelter Company, and was focusing on the realignment of our consulting team and approach.
Fast forward one decade: My wife and I have three amazing children (Ben, Brody and Brynn) and three Brussels Griffon pups (Lola, Bubbles and Fergus) that keep us busy beyond belief. Soon I will be ringing in the New Year as Stelter President for the first time. And I couldn’t be more excited to bring our leadership team’s plans for 2020 to life.
You see, for me, the year 2020 represents clear vision. As I do every year, I reflect on the year before in order to forge ahead. I like to take a look at what worked, and what didn’t, and use that information to improve strategy, processes and relationships.
In that spirit, I’ve compiled a list of the blogs you all loved most in 2019. Perhaps these ideas can help inform your 2020 marketing plans, and make it the best year yet.
1. Is the Donor Pyramid a Thing of the Past?
The simple answer is yes.
If you haven’t heard already, the donor pyramid that many of us have come to know, has changed—and perhaps is even dead. (R.I.P.)
Now, if that’s the case, what kind of journey are donors experiencing today? And, more importantly, how do we engage them? I answer all of these questions, and a few more, in our most popular blog of 2019.
2. DIY Online Wills: Technology Is Putting Estate Planning Tools in the Hands of Your Donors
We all know that a longstanding challenge for planned giving professionals has been to inspire donors to take action—but could estate planning tools help?
No matter where you are on the spectrum of pro-DIY wills vs. anti-DIY wills, consumers’ needs for easy tools and their accessibility will continue to rise. Check out this blog for all you need to know about DIY online will services. To help, we have 4 questions nonprofits should ask before partnering with a DIY online will service.
3. Giving USA 2019: Inside the Numbers
Numbers can be interpreted to mean dramatically different things. A perfect example of this in the planned giving world: this year’s numbers from Giving USA.
Senior Gift Planning Consultant, Lynn Gaumer, J.D. gives us her analysis on Giving USA’s 2019 numbers—and what they could mean for your nonprofit’s planned giving marketing program.
4. 4 Newsworthy Items in Charitable Giving Right Now
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Catch up on the latest charitable giving news. From the newest giving research to making the collection of charitable IRA beneficiary proceeds easier, we’ve got the scoop.
5. What You Need to Know Now to Promote, Receive and Acknowledge a DAF Gift
Donor advised funds are the fastest-growing source of philanthropy, now accounting for more than $110 billion in total charitable assets.
Many nonprofits have been hesitant or even adverse to promoting donor advised funds, and not for good reason. But times have changed, and so should your nonprofit.
Don’t miss out on this booming planned giving opportunity. Discover 5 tips to promote, receive and acknowledge DAF gifts.
Bonus blog: 10 Fundraising Blogs (and a Few Podcasts) You’ll Love
There are countless other industry blogs out there sharing useful information that’s advantageous to all. They’re timely and relatable, with insight from experienced fundraising professionals; their point of view gleaned from decades of nonprofit service.
In the spirit of giving, we are spreading joy and sharing some of our favorite industry blogs, and a few podcasts too. I hope you’ll enjoy them just as much as I do!
—
Do you have a clear vision for 2020? What are your goals and objectives for the new year, and how did you define them?