How to Conduct Effective Planned Giving Surveys

In the world of fundraising, a well-executed planned giving survey can be a game-changer. It provides valuable insights into your donor base, helping you tailor your strategies and maximize engagement. Yet, many nonprofits overlook this powerful tool. Let’s explore how conducting an effective planned giving survey can benefit your organization and how to implement one successfully.

Why Planned Giving Surveys Matter

Planned giving surveys play a crucial role in understanding donor intentions and preferences. They help you identify potential planned giving donors, understand their motivations, and effectively communicate the impact of their contributions. Here are some compelling reasons to prioritize planned giving surveys:

• Identify Potential Donors: According to a study by the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, 31% of donors are more likely to consider planned giving if they are approached in a personalized manner.

• Tailor Your Approach: By understanding the motivations behind planned giving, you can craft messages and campaigns that resonate with your donors.

• Build Long-Term Relationships: Surveys show that engaging donors in conversations about their giving preferences increases loyalty and long-term support.

Steps to Conduct an Effective Planned Giving Survey

1. Define Clear Objectives

Before you design your survey, identify what you hope to achieve. Are you looking to gauge overall interest in planned giving, or are you trying to identify specific types of planned gifts? Setting clear objectives will help you craft questions that yield actionable insights.

2. Craft Thoughtful Questions

The quality of your questions will determine the usefulness of your survey. Here are some tips for creating effective questions:

• Be Specific: Instead of asking, “Are you interested in planned giving?” ask, “Which types of planned gifts are you interested in learning more about?”

• Use a Mix of Question Types: Include multiple-choice, rating scales, and open-ended questions to capture a range of data.

• Keep It Short: Aim for brevity to respect your donors’ time. A survey with 10-15 well-crafted questions should suffice.

3. Segment Your Audience

Not all donors are the same, and your survey should reflect that. Segment your audience based on factors such as donation history, age, and engagement level. This allows you to tailor questions and follow-up communications more effectively.

4. Offer Incentives

Encourage participation by offering incentives. This could be a small gift, exclusive content, or an entry into a raffle. Ensure that the incentive aligns with your organization’s values and the interests of your donors.

5. Utilize Digital Tools

Leverage digital survey tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or Typeform to streamline the process. These platforms offer templates, easy distribution, and data analysis features that can save you time and effort.

6. Analyze and Act on the Data

Once you’ve collected responses, analyze the data to identify trends and insights. Look for patterns in donor preferences and motivations. Use this information to refine your planned giving strategies and tailor your communications.

7. Follow Up with Respondents

Show appreciation for your donors’ time and input by following up with personalized thank-you messages. Share key findings from the survey and outline how you plan to act on the feedback. This builds trust and demonstrates that you value their opinions.

Case Study: Successful Planned Giving Survey

One nonprofit that excels in utilizing planned giving surveys is Helping Hands Foundation. By segmenting their audience and crafting targeted questions, they identified 150 potential planned giving donors within three months. Their follow-up communications highlighted specific donor stories and the impact of planned gifts, resulting in a 20% increase in planned giving commitments.

Conclusion

Conducting effective planned giving surveys is a strategic move that can significantly boost your fundraising efforts. By understanding your donors’ preferences and motivations, you can create targeted campaigns that resonate and inspire long-term support.

By taking these steps, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking the full potential of planned giving for your organization. Start today and watch your donor relationships—and your fundraising results—flourish.

Do Online Will Planners Really Generate Planned Gift Intentions?

In recent years, the digital revolution has extended its reach into the realm of wills and estate planning. Companies like FreeWill , Legacy Planner and GivingDocs claim that their online will planners can effectively generate planned gift intentions. But do these platforms really deliver on their promise? Are they a viable tool for fundraisers and non-profit leaders to tap into the potential of planned giving? Let’s explore.

The Rise of Online Will Planners

What Are Online Will Planners?

Online will planners are digital tools that allow individuals to create legal wills online. They often come with user-friendly interfaces, guided templates, and educational resources to help users make informed decisions about their estates. Companies like FreeWill, Legacy Planner and GivingDocs have taken this concept a step further by integrating planned giving options into their platforms.

Why They’re Gaining Popularity

The convenience and accessibility of online will planners have made them increasingly popular. According to a study by Caring.com, the number of Americans creating their wills online has grown by 23% over the past five years. This shift is largely driven by the ease of use and the ability to complete the process from the comfort of one’s home.

The Promise of Generating Planned Gift Intentions

How Do They Work?

These platforms aim to simplify the process of including charitable gifts in wills. Users are prompted with options to allocate a portion of their estate to a non-profit organization. This seamless integration makes it easier for individuals to consider planned giving as part of their legacy.

Do They Deliver Results?

Statistically speaking, the answer is promising. FreeWill reports that over $2 billion in planned gifts have been committed through their platform. Similarly, GivingDocs has facilitated millions in planned donations. These numbers suggest that online will planners are indeed effective in generating planned gift intentions.

Benefits for Fundraisers and Non-Profit Leaders

Increased Accessibility

Online will planners make estate planning accessible to a broader audience. This democratization means that more individuals, regardless of their financial status, can consider planned giving. For non-profits, this opens up a new stream of potential donors.

Streamlined Process

The integration of planned giving options within the will creation process simplifies the workflow for fundraisers. Instead of engaging in lengthy discussions about estate planning, fundraisers can direct potential donors to these platforms, where the process is already guided and streamlined.

Enhanced Engagement

Online will planners can serve as a touchpoint for ongoing engagement with donors. By providing educational resources and regular updates, non-profits can maintain a relationship with individuals who have included them in their wills.

Success Stories

Numerous non-profits have reported success using online will planners. For instance, the American Red Cross has received significant planned gifts through FreeWill, enabling them to fund critical programs and initiatives.

Conclusion

The evidence suggests that online will planners  do indeed generate planned gift intentions. For fundraisers and non-profit leaders, these tools offer a modern, efficient way to tap into the potential of planned giving. By incorporating online will planners into your fundraising strategy, you can enhance donor engagement and secure future support for your organization.