1. Program Assessment and Benchmarking • Review the Foundation’s current fundraising practices, donor base, and giving trends to identify planned giving potential. • Benchmark against peer institutions and industry best practices to shape program design. 2. Program Development and Strategy • Design a comprehensive planned giving strategy tailored to FIT Foundation’s mission, donor demographics, and long-term fundraising goals. • Recommend a suite of appropriate planned giving vehicles (e.g., bequests, charitable remainder trusts, retirement account designations, life insurance policies). • Establish policies, guidelines, and procedures to govern the program. 3. Donor Engagement and Marketing • Develop a communications and marketing plan (print, digital, and event-based) to promote planned giving opportunities. • Create donor-facing materials (brochures, web content, sample bequest language, FAQs) that clearly explain options and benefits. • Advise on recognition strategies for legacy donors (e.g., legacy society creation). 4. Training and Capacity Building • Conduct training sessions for Foundation staff, Board members, and key volunteers to ensure comfort and fluency in discussing planned giving. • Provide talking points, scripts, and case studies to aid donor conversations. 5. Compliance and Risk Management • Ensure program design aligns with legal, financial, and regulatory requirements. • Advise on gift acceptance policies and internal procedures to protect both the donor and the Foundation. 6. Systems and Sustainability • Recommend systems for tracking and reporting planned gifts (in coordination with existing CRM tools). • Provide a framework for ongoing stewardship, recognition, and long-term cultivation of planned giving donors.
