As Advisors to both Non-profits and High Capacity Donors, we are often amazed by how often charities leave untapped the vast resources of their high capacity donors.
Due to budgetary and time constraints, charities often focus exclusively on current donations, often overlooking the potential for greater gifts.
Even where a charity has a planned giving department, or has staff to help identify and communicate with major donors, so much is often left on the table.
We have often been struck by how often high capacity donors give far below their ability to give, often because the charity does not know how to tap this greater giving potential.
And we are not talking about disinterested patrons, but donors who feel passionately about the causes they support.
Here are a couple of thoughts on how your organization might help unlock the giving potential of your high capacity donors.
- Focus on the Needs of Your High Capacity Donor Families
- Demonstrate that Donations are made from Tax Dollars, not Inheritance Dollars
- Assist them in Determining How Much they Need to Survive, and How Much is Excess Capacity for Giving
- Encourage them to Think Through What is an Appropriate Inheritance for their Children
We will begin addressing each of these questions in subsequent posts, but it may be worth initiating a discussion around these topics with your planned giving staff and your Board of Directors.
