Helping your donors create their legacies is an honor that goes beyond a dollar amount. Creating and developing strong relationships with planned giving donors requires a different mindset; gift planning often involves an older, less technologically savvy age group and may require sensitive financial discussions.
Here are a few tips to help build and maintain planned gift donor relationships through a continuous stewardship program.
- Know as much about these donors as you can and keep good records.
- Discover and use the communication channels they prefer.
- Regularly remind them how their gifts will help further your mission and thank them often.
- Include personal visits and phone calls when appropriate.
- Help them clarify their gift objectives by listening for clues. ■
