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
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
Latest Research: Planned Giving’s Positive Impact on Annual Giving
At almost 8 months into the novel coronavirus pandemic, many of us may be scratching our heads, wondering, “What’s next? When will it end? What do I need to do to keep our nonprofit above water and moving forward with our mission?” Continue reading Latest Research: Planned Giving’s Positive Impact on Annual Giving
Engaging Donors During Quarantine: Tips for Successful Marketing & Messaging
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
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
How to Stand Out in All That Email
Donors opened 17% more messages from nonprofits in March 2020 than they did last March, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Email activity is up. Inbox volume is down. This presents space to meaningfully talk with your planned giving donors through email. Here are 5 tips to stand out from the inbox crowd. Continue reading How to Stand Out in All That Email
How to Get Real With Donors in This Virtual Age
Much like the plastic see-through barriers at store checkouts these days, virtual interactions with donors and prospects have added a new, sometimes foreign layer to the process. Can we see past it? Absolutely. Find out how to build a deeper connection with your supporters, virtually. Continue reading How to Get Real With Donors in This Virtual Age
Giving USA 2020: Inside the Numbers and a Look Ahead
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
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
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)
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)
[FREE DOWNLOAD] Planned Giving Terms Your Team Should Know…Plus a Little Alphabet Soup
We get back to the fundamentals today. A special thanks to Stelter’s Senior Gift Planning Consultant, Lynn M. Gaumer, J.D., for offering her insights about planned giving terms every development professional should know. Continue reading [FREE DOWNLOAD] Planned Giving Terms Your Team Should Know…Plus a Little Alphabet Soup
Breaking News: ACGA Releases New Suggested Maximum Single-Life Rate Schedules [FREE DOWNLOAD]
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]
With a Pandemic Raging and Rates Dropping, Nobody Expected This Jaw-Dropping Windfall
Find out how our friends at Loma Linda University turned lemons into lemonade. Learn more about their recent mailing that ultimately led to $7.9 million in planned giving conversations. Continue reading With a Pandemic Raging and Rates Dropping, Nobody Expected This Jaw-Dropping Windfall
Stelter Planned Giving Pulse Survey #2: 3 Uplifting Discoveries That Made Us Smile
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