Program Maintenance

Inspire legacy giving all year long

Building momentum

In order to meet long-term giving goals, it’s important to assess the performance of your program and make adjustments along the way. In this chapter, we’ll review how you can continue to build on the success of your program, increase awareness of legacy giving, and encourage program participation throughout the year.

Track and manage your performance

It’s important to periodically ask yourself: How is your legacy giving program performing? We recommend that you track long-term goals and short-term objectives on a regular basis. Here’s a suggested schedule to keep you on track.

Annual reviews

Provide a top-to-bottom assessment of your program’s performance on a yearly basis, comparing initial program goals with your actual outcomes.

Quarterly reports

By tracking performance every 90 days, you’ll be able to identify the tactics that are working and adjust those that aren’t.

Monthly milestones

Break your long-term goals into smaller, more achievable milestones. This will allow you to build on your performance, month by month.

Create new opportunities that inspire giving

Need additional ideas to increase awareness and encourage participation of your legacy giving program? Here’s a list of innovative program enhancements that have been proven to boost performance.

Start a birthday fund
Encourage members to celebrate their birthday and your organization together by donating the amount of their age on their special day.
Designate a day of service
Whether it’s Giving Tuesday or Service Wednesday, champion a specific day for gifts or service and embrace those who participate.
Incorporate Legacy Sunday
Encourage your supporters to make a donation that honors the memory of a loved one. Establish Legacy Sunday, where loved ones are celebrated.
Form a Legacy Society
Recognize those who have listed your organization as a beneficiary of their estate. Thank them on your website and in publications.
Hold an annual Legacy Reception
Celebrate donors and prospective donors in an annual event. Share stories about their gifts and the impact of their lasting legacy.
Use a Moment for Mission
Carve out time during church services or member events to highlight how donations have made a difference to your organization.
Implement 500 in 5 years
Ask your top donors to commit to giving $100 each year for five years to the legacy fund, above and beyond their annual giving.