Get Specific to Get Results: Details Are Important to Your Donors

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In a study of organizational behavior and decision-making, the researchers found a correlation between tangible information and generosity. When the charitable appeal was specific (your gift will provide one family with dinner for a week) versus general (your gift will feed hungry families), donations increased two-fold. How could this work for your nonprofit? Check out some examples of narrowing your storytelling scope. Continue reading Get Specific to Get Results: Details Are Important to Your Donors

How the Los Angeles Jewish Home Doubled Its Planned Giving Growth

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In part through the Stelter team’s leadership, the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s program has grown from $2-$3 million annually in mature planned gifts to $5 million today. Forty-plus new members join its legacy society every year to keep the group consistently at about 300 members. “Every year (since Stelter’s come on board), it’s grown,” Aaron says. Find out how we did it. Continue reading How the Los Angeles Jewish Home Doubled Its Planned Giving Growth

5 Gifts That Will Have the Greatest Appeal in 2021 & Why

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Wondering where asset-based philanthropy is headed in 2021? We’d all surely love a clear, concrete path. While that probably won’t happen (sorry, everyone), we can look ahead to what types of gifts will be most appealing to donors this year, so we can better prepare our messaging and communicate more effectively. Here they are, the 5 gifts that will have the greatest appeal to donors in 2021 and why. Continue reading 5 Gifts That Will Have the Greatest Appeal in 2021 & Why

Navigating Uncharted Waters With New Administration

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Planned giving professionals need to keep informed of what is happening in Washington, D.C., and know how federal laws might change if President Biden and Congress come together to pass tax reform. Stelter is here to help. We put together a summary of some of the proposals being discussed—particularly as they relate to your organization and your donors. Your donors may look to you for insights on how tax reform affects their philanthropic goals. Here are 4 key takeaways and 2 next steps. Continue reading Navigating Uncharted Waters With New Administration

Special Update: CARES Act Tax Incentives Extended—With a Small Boost

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The nonprofit community has been given a year-end gift: A couple of key provisions of the CARES Act were just extended into the new year (and, in one case, increased). Let’s take a look at what the new stimulus package means for the nonprofit community and turn that calendar page to 2021. Continue reading Special Update: CARES Act Tax Incentives Extended—With a Small Boost

UNICEF USA: From Handfuls to Hundreds of Planned Giving Prospects

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After months of perseverance and talking the problem through with multiple departments, both at UNICEF USA and at Stelter, we’re now sending emails to target 80% of UNICEF USA’s top prospects. That means we went from engaging handfuls of donors to hundreds. (When one planned gift can range from thousands to millions of dollars, this increase can be tremendously impactful.) Continue reading UNICEF USA: From Handfuls to Hundreds of Planned Giving Prospects

Feeling Drained? 13 Tips to Revive You and Your Donors

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Surge capacity refers to our innate ability to mentally and physically adapt to acutely stressful situations. As we move into another round of rising positive COVID rates, mixed in with the holidays, how can we monitor our own surge rates and unplug when we need to, yet still be mindful of evolving organizational and donor needs? Here are 13 tips to revive you and your donors this holiday season. Continue reading Feeling Drained? 13 Tips to Revive You and Your Donors

Why You Should ‘Get Bored’ With Your Fundraising

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Here’s a simple way to think about fundraising from the fundraiser’s perspective: Get bored. My favorite example of this from a client was a $75,000 CGA gift from a donor who received messaging for three years before committing. They were the right person getting the right message and the donor decided when it was the right time. What does “boredom” sound like for planned giving fundraisers? Find out here: Continue reading Why You Should ‘Get Bored’ With Your Fundraising

5 of the Best Ways to Make Your Holiday Donor Outreach Magical This Year

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Thirty percent of all annual giving occurs in December with 10% of that total happening within the last three days of the year, according to Nonprofits Source. Is your nonprofit ready for the holiday season? Here are 5 tips for magical donor outreach this holiday season. Continue reading 5 of the Best Ways to Make Your Holiday Donor Outreach Magical This Year

Why I Care About Estate Planning (and Why You Should, Too)

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During National Estate Planning Awareness Week—in the midst of a year like no other—it’s important to remember the people behind the plans (or lack thereof). Donors are on a journey, and when we do our job well, we meet them where they are and help equip them for the road ahead. Thanks for the important work you do—for families, philanthropy and our shared future. Continue reading Why I Care About Estate Planning (and Why You Should, Too)

Advice From 2 Nonprofits: How to Maximize 2020 Year-end Giving

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While most year-end giving campaigns are in place already, 2020 has felt like a year of firsts and flexibility. That’s why we’re checking in with other planned giving professionals about their year-end giving plans and perspectives—what’s different, what’s new and how they’re moving ahead. Thanks to Cris Lutz, Senior Director of Gift Planning at The Huntington, and Debra Kathman, Director, Gift Planning, at World Wildlife Fund, for sharing their thoughts with us today. Continue reading Advice From 2 Nonprofits: How to Maximize 2020 Year-end Giving

How to Make the Most Out of Estate Planning Awareness Week

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Before the pandemic, it was estimated that more than two-thirds of Americans (68%) did not have a will. In September of this year, interest in creating a will was the highest it has ever been according to Google Trends. Find out how your nonprofit can make the most out of National Estate Planning Awareness Week this year with pointers from our pro, Sr. Gift Planning Consultant, Lynn Gaumer, J.D. Continue reading How to Make the Most Out of Estate Planning Awareness Week

How to Select the Right Audience for Your Planned Giving Marketing

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What aspect of your marketing mix can often go quietly overlooked, but actually makes the most difference where it counts? You guessed it: Audience selection. So, if you’re wondering why your results aren’t what you’d like them to be, start with your list. Today I’ll be sharing why, where and how to find the right audience. Plus, level up your list with my 3 pro tips below. Continue reading How to Select the Right Audience for Your Planned Giving Marketing

Focus On These 7 Things for Giving Tuesday Success

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In 2019, Giving Tuesday raised $511 million online alone, and a total of $1.97 billion with offline donations—making it a monumental day for philanthropy, and for nonprofits. No matter what your position (or department), Giving Tuesday fundraising can be vital for programs and requires all hands on deck. The big day isn’t far away, so let’s dive right in to these 7 Giving Tuesday strategies that will help ensure campaign success. Continue reading Focus On These 7 Things for Giving Tuesday Success

Is Now the Right Time for a Planned Giving Conversation? Yes, and Here’s Why.

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No matter what’s happening in the world, we humans are wired to seek connection, continuation and control in our lives. So when clients or colleagues ask if it’s appropriate or “right” to continue talking about planned giving in light of the continued pandemic and societal unease, I say yes. Continue the conversations, but be completely in tune with what donors are saying, and not saying, with more sensitivity and empathy and less leaning toward gift acquisition. During your next planned giving conversation, remember these five wise estate planning approaches that are easy to implement, yet softly advance the gifting process. Continue reading Is Now the Right Time for a Planned Giving Conversation? Yes, and Here’s Why.

3 Free Fundraising Webinars You Need to Watch

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No matter what school looks like this year, the end of summer break means a renewed focus on learning—not only for the kiddos in our lives, but for us too. Continued learning helps us all develop new skills and stay at the top of our game. Whether these webinars are new to you or you just need a refresher, check them out as you’re designing your own never-stop-improving e-learning curriculum. Continue reading 3 Free Fundraising Webinars You Need to Watch

7 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions on Social Media for Nonprofits

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As a planned giving marketing company, we field a lot of questions about how nonprofits can utilize social and how planned giving can fit into that social strategy—especially these days. Knowing that there are a lot of questions circling around the use of social in today’s environment, Stelter’s Marketing Communications Specialist, Aimee Menhusen, invited me and Stelter’s Creative Director and Marketing Director, Zach Christensen, to a little Zoom Q&A on social media best practices. We put our heads together to come up with this list of FAQs to share. Enjoy! Continue reading 7 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions on Social Media for Nonprofits

How to Design the Perfect Marketing Strategy

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Kathryn W. Miree, President of Kathryn W. Miree & Associates, Inc., recently presented “Designing the Perfect Marketing Strategy for Your Planned Giving Program” as part of Stelter’s monthly webinar series. It’s a timely webinar, filled with practical tips for refining or creating your planned giving marketing plans. Kathryn covers audience segmentation and messaging, as well as the importance of integrating planned giving into an overall development communications plan. The webinar has many valuable takeaways, and today I’m excited to share a few of my favorites. Continue reading How to Design the Perfect Marketing Strategy

Engaging Donors During Quarantine: Tips for Successful Marketing & Messaging

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How can your nonprofit continue to deliver content that sparks a feeling of connection, while still practicing social distancing for months on end? Before we dig into different strategies for quarantine marketing success, let’s start with the importance of planned giving during a crisis. Continue reading Engaging Donors During Quarantine: Tips for Successful Marketing & Messaging

FREE! CARES Act Video Tutorial for Your Donors

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The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act shifted the way donors can support charities in 2020. The changes are unprecedented…and so is the confusion around it. Here’s a new way to explain the law: This free video, featuring attorney Lynn Gaumer, who has covered the charitable sector for 25+ years, is yours to use across your web and digital platforms.Continue reading FREE! CARES Act Video Tutorial for Your Donors

Giving USA 2020: Inside the Numbers and a Look Ahead

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Giving USA released its 2020 annual report last week, but it just felt, well, different. Perhaps you may even feel that it is irrelevant. So much has changed in the first six months of 2020. Let’s take a brief look into the numbers and, more importantly, let’s look ahead to see how Americans are responding and giving this year. Continue reading Giving USA 2020: Inside the Numbers and a Look Ahead

3 Critical Factors Impacting Donor Mindset Today

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The only constant is change. -Heraclitus I think we can all agree that this sentiment has never rung more true than it does today. Whether it’s change we plan for or change we don’t plan for, change is the only constant. The COVID-19 pandemic, corresponding economic impact and the sweeping national reflection on racial inequality haveContinue reading 3 Critical Factors Impacting Donor Mindset Today

[FREE DOWNLOAD] Two-Life CGA Suggested Maximum Rate Schedules Are Here

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The American Council on Gift Annuities rates committee has revealed a new schedule of suggested maximum two-life charitable gift annuity (CGA) rates for gifts established on or after July 1, 2020. The new two-life rates are 0.3% to 0.5% lower than the current rates. Download our sample donor letter to reach out to those who may be interested in making a gift before July 1 to take advantage of the current rates. Continue reading [FREE DOWNLOAD] Two-Life CGA Suggested Maximum Rate Schedules Are Here

5 Storytelling Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

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Stories are how we share our culture, pass down our traditions and influence others. We are literally hardwired for storytelling. Perfect for fundraising, right? But if the formula is so simple—character + conflict + resourcefulness = resolution—then why don’t more stories resonate? Here are five mistakes that might be in the way. Continue reading 5 Storytelling Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Breaking News: ACGA Releases New Suggested Maximum Single-Life Rate Schedules [FREE DOWNLOAD]

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The American Council on Gift Annuities rates committee has revealed a new schedule of suggested maximum single-life charitable gift annuity (CGA) rates for gifts established on or after July 1, 2020. Check out our chart of the new rates and download our sample donor letter to reach out to those who may be interested in making a gift before July 1 to take advantage of the current rates. Continue reading Breaking News: ACGA Releases New Suggested Maximum Single-Life Rate Schedules [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Stelter Planned Giving Pulse Survey #2: 3 Uplifting Discoveries That Made Us Smile

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Since March, The Stelter Company has been polling nonprofits across the country that have established planned giving programs to learn how the pandemic is affecting their efforts. Last week, we released our Planned Giving Pulse Survey #2, which captures the latest impact on nonprofit marketing programs, job stability and planned giving budgets nationwide. The results are both inspiring and sobering. Continue reading Stelter Planned Giving Pulse Survey #2: 3 Uplifting Discoveries That Made Us Smile

[FREE DOWNLOAD] How to Let Your Donors Know About the New Charitable Gift Annuity Rates

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Stelter’s Senior Gift Planning Consultant, Lynn Gaumer, J.D., is back to share an update on the new schedule of CGA rates. We recommend you reach out now to your donors who may be interested in making a gift before July 1 to take advantage of the current rates. To assist you with this, we are providing a letter that you can customize and use for your donor communications. Continue reading [FREE DOWNLOAD] How to Let Your Donors Know About the New Charitable Gift Annuity Rates

CGA Program Best Practices You Need to Know: A Review of the ACGA/CGP CGA Survey

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A new survey shares best practices that all charities can follow for charitable gift annuity programs. This survey—the first of its kind—was conducted jointly by the American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA) and the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP). Here to breakdown three main takeaways from the survey is Lynn Gaumer, J.D., Stelter’s Sr. Gift Planning Consultant. Continue reading CGA Program Best Practices You Need to Know: A Review of the ACGA/CGP CGA Survey

Key Takeaways From the First-Ever Virtual ACGA Conference

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Last week, many fundraisers from across the country gathered in the comfort of their own homes and logged in to the first virtual ACGA Conference. The COVID-19 pandemic was top of mind and a common thread in many presentations. Speakers looked to past pandemics and economic downturns for guidance on what charitable giving will look like this year, addressed current concerns and looked to the future. Here are a few key takeaways from Stelter’s Executive Vice President Jeremy Stelter and Senior Gift Planning Consultant Lynn Gaumer, J.D. Continue reading Key Takeaways From the First-Ever Virtual ACGA Conference

3 Must-Haves for Stewarding Donors Successfully

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Our partnership with nearly 1,500 nonprofits involves helping them educate donors about planned giving and offering donors the opportunity to act on making a planned gift easily. And while it is extremely important to stay top-of-mind with your donors during this time, we know that in the current environment this messaging needs to change. You must pivot to a message of stewardship. Reviewing stewardship campaigns Stelter has produced for our clients over the past year, there are three things in common that helped lead to their success. Continue reading 3 Must-Haves for Stewarding Donors Successfully

3 Tips on How to Engage Donors When Face-to-Face Isn’t Possible

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Face-to-face donor meetings are on an indefinite hold—which means major and planned gift officers across the country are finding themselves grounded from the thing they love to do most. So where do you go from here, to continue to engage your portfolio, extend your donor discovery or even identify new individuals for cultivation? Continue reading 3 Tips on How to Engage Donors When Face-to-Face Isn’t Possible

Tips on Isolation From Someone Who Couldn’t Go Outside

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When you were younger, did you ever dream of becoming an astronaut? Perhaps you wanted to boldly go where no person had gone before, which makes sense as you eventually landed on fundraising. But did you ever give any thought to the fact that astronauts spend extraordinary amounts of time inside? A situation many of us are finding ourselves in right now. Here are my three key takeaways from an astronaut and isolation expert:Continue reading Tips on Isolation From Someone Who Couldn’t Go Outside

3 Themes From the First-Ever AFP ICON VIRTUAL Conference

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With our world upside down and events all around us being canceled, new opportunities to share and connect are emerging.  Earlier this week, nearly 1,000 fundraisers gathered around their own respective viewing devices for the first-ever AFP ICON VIRTUAL Conference—including Danny Herzberg, Stelter Regional Account Representative. I sat down with Danny to hear his biggest takeaways from the conference. Continue reading 3 Themes From the First-Ever AFP ICON VIRTUAL Conference

[FREE DOWNLOAD] Let Your Donors Know About the New Tax Incentives

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The president has signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This is designed to help taxpayers, businesses and nonprofits facing economic hardship in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn. Here are several key provisions of the CARES Act that relate to the nonprofit sector: Continue reading [FREE DOWNLOAD] Let Your Donors Know About the New Tax Incentives

[FREE WHITE PAPER] Women & Giving: A Marketing Roadmap

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The Stelter Company’s most recent research, Women & Giving: A Marketing Roadmap, showcases the differences that surface between men and women—differences related to giving, finances and self-image. I’m here today to share some findings that can help your nonprofit’s planned giving marketing program. Continue reading [FREE WHITE PAPER] Women & Giving: A Marketing Roadmap

[FREE DOWNLOAD] How to Let Your Donors Know About the New Charitable Gift Annuity Rates

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The American Council on Gift Annuities recently revealed a new schedule of suggested maximum gift annuity rates for gifts established on or after Jan. 1, 2020. Score your free donor letter and customize it for your nonprofit’s CGA communications. Continue reading [FREE DOWNLOAD] How to Let Your Donors Know About the New Charitable Gift Annuity Rates