Steps to Success

Recommended Specific LEAVE A LEGACY^® Actions

• Invite a speaker to address your Board or staff about LEAVE A LEGACY^®.
• Get Board endorsement of the project and your organization's participation.
• Link your web site to ours.
• Run a series of articles in your newsletter about LEAVE A LEGACY^®, and planned giving in general. Include any testimonials from your donors about their giving.
• Personalize the free LEAVE A LEGACY^® brochures with your own logo or name.
• Mail free LEAVE A LEGACY^® brochures to your closest supporters with a cover letter signed personally by the Executive Director or Board President.
• Invite supporters to a presentation, and use someone from the LEAVE A LEGACY^® Speakers Bureau to Talk about planned giving.
• Use the LEAVE A LEGACY^® logo in all materials about gift planning.
• Add a line asking about interest in gift planning information in every campaign or survey.
• Educate and alert your staff -particularly those answering the phone- about LEAVE A LEGACY^® and your participation. Post a simple note at the front desk for volunteer receptionists.
• Carefully think through your prompt response to all LEAVE A LEGACY^® inquiries, and develop a letter and simple packet of information. Set aside time to follow-up.
• Show the inspirational LEAVE A LEGACY^® video to interested parties.
• Invite your volunteer leadership to visit your organization with interested donors.
• Join your local LEAVE A LEGACY^® team and help raise community awareness!

General Steps to Consider

• In every issue of your newsletter, make sure to include a small box with your full legal name and a simple statement about legacy donations.
• Adopt a gift acceptance policy that addresses donations beyond those of outright cash.
• Set up an endowment fund if you do not already have one, with an expectation that any legacy gifts will be placed there.
• Establish goals for your endowment fund, based on anticipated needs over the next 10-20+ years.
• Join the Northern Ohio Planned Giving Council and learn more about gift planning. Network with nonprofit and allied professionals in your community.
• Define or re-evaluate your financial investment policy.
• Consider making your own legacy gift to the charities of your choice.
• Set up a committee to meet with your closest supporters and share your plans.
• Develop a recognition process that might include a heritage society, a plaque in the lobby, and/or annual listing in your newsletter or annual report.
• Hire a planned giving consultant for a year or two to help you get started.