Elements of a Successful Planned Giving Program

Form a Planned Giving Committee
Know why your congregation needs a Planned Giving program.
Learn what Planned Giving is (and isn't).
Develop a working knowledge of planned gift arrangements.
Inform and re-inform lay and professional leadership of the benefits of Planned Giving.
Adopt new guidelines (or revise existing ones) for a congregational endowment fund.
Understand what motivates people to make Planned Gifts.
Structure your program carefully.
Identify your planned gift prospects.
Create a Bequest Recognition Society.
Prepare to receive, record and administer gifts.
Hold an Estate Planning seminar.
Ask for the gift. Ask for the gift. Ask for the gift.
Say thank you! Honor, recognize, and involve donors in the life of your congregation.
Avoid the temptation to overemphasize the technical or to provide legal counsel
Cultivate and consult financial and estate planning professionals.
Evaluate and revise your program frequently.
Develop a working partnership with the charitable gift and estate planning staff at the Unitarian Universalist Association Charitable Gift and Estate Planning. Toll Free Phone Number: 1-888-792-5885.

This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors and congregations. Please consider making a donation today.

Last updated on Friday, June 17, 2011.

Section Navigation

Learn more about the Beliefs & Principles of Unitarian Universalism, or read our online magazine, UU World, for features on today's Unitarian Universalists. Visit an online UU church, or find a congregation near you.