I’m calling on you today to help in the cause to enlarge the social responsibility of our citizens.  The spirit that built this country still dwells in our people.  They want to help – we only need to ask them. – Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004) 

The above quote from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan articulates a message we hear over and over again.  Whether we need volunteers, donations or planned gifts, we must remember to ask for them. 

This simple truth is something that we as fundraisers cannot deny, yet sometimes fail to remember.  This will become increasingly important as the transfer of wealth between generations starts to occur.  How are we connecting with the youth of today?  Are we forging bonds with them?  Are we beginning to involve them with our charities so that over time, an attachment is formed? 

Have we asked the middle-aged donor about their estate plans?  For that matter, have we asked the young? 

Begin planting the seeds of cultivation today, so that your organization can succeed tomorrow.  As gift planners, the future is more important than ever. 

Remember, as Andrew Carnegie once said, “The man who dies rich dies disgraced.”

By Terrance S. Carter, B.A., LL.B and Theresa L. Man, Carter & Associates

The Planned Giving Pulse approached Carter & Associates, a Canadian law firm specializing in charity and not for profit law and asked them to highlight the important legal developments of 2004 affecting planned giving.  Their summary covers tax issues such as a new definition of a gift, transparency of action and changes to the appeal process.  In addition, the article covers other initiatives affecting charities including the irrevocability of pledges, guidance for charities operating abroad and the Charitable Purposes Preservation Act.  It also discusses the upcoming Uniform Charitable Fundraising Act, expected by August 2005, which will affect charities across Canada by addressing fraudulent and unethical fundraising practices. 

Disclaimer:  Please note the Pulse takes no legal responsibility for the accuracy of this information.  Please contact Carter and Associates or your solicitor for advice on your specific situation. 

To read more about legal development in 2004, click here.

By Greg B. Lam, Copilevitz & Canter, LLC

The Planned Giving Pulse approached Greg Lam of Copilevitz & Canter, a U.S. law firm specializing in charity and not for profit law and asked him to highlight the important legal developments of 2004 affecting planned giving.  His summary covers restrictions on donating intellectual property, changes to vehicle/non-cash property donation policies and practical applications of legislation in 2005 and beyond.

Disclaimer:  Please note the Pulse takes no legal responsibility for the accuracy of this information.  Please contact Copilevitz & Canter or your solicitor for advice on your specific situation.

To read more about the legal developments in the non-profit sector in 2004, click here.

The Planned Giving Pulse interviewed Senator Terry Mercer, CFRE, about the Senate Banking Committee’s proposed changes to planned giving in Canada.  Although an interim report was released in late 2004, the Committee is scheduled to release its final report later this month. 

Planned Giving Pulse:  The Senate Banking Committee is releasing its final report on Ways to Increase Charitable Giving in Canada next month.  What was your role in the proceedings? 

Terry Mercer:  When I heard that the Banking Committee was going to be hearing from charities I became curious as to the motivation.  I met with the Chair Jerry Grafstein and Vice-Chair David Angus and was very pleased to learn what the motivation was.  They wanted to help charities find ways to get more for their good works.  From a regulatory point of view, they wanted to make sure charities were operating within the bounds of the law, and in the best interest of Canadians.   

As a resource, I was around to help.  As the Chair of the AFP Foundation and someone active in the industry, I didn’t feel I should sit on the committee, but I would attend as an observer and refer them to people in the industry to talk to.  For example, Ken Ramsay, is well-respected and a leader in Planned Giving and I wanted to make sure they talked to people who are actually involved in true philanthropy.  Not people selling chocolate bars to the grade seven class.  People who are ethical and who are adhering to the Donor's Bill of Rights.  The government doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel when there are credible organizations in the field such as AFP, CAGP and CASE who can offer insight.

The National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG), Canadian Association of Gift Planners *Association Canadienne des Professionnels en Dons Planifés (CAGP*ACPDP), and the European Association for Planned Giving (EAPG) have formed a new international union for charitable gift planning. 

“We’re really excited about this group and we’ve had a great response,” says Tanya Howe-Johnson, President and CEO of the National Committee on Planned Giving.   “There’s not really been anything offered like this before: a collaboration focused on charitable gift planning.” 

The history behind this alliance goes back quite a while.  After NCPG formed, the Canadians decided to start a similar but separate association because the tax laws and environment were so different.  NCPG began an informal mentoring relationship with them, trying to assist by providing a small start up grant, helping find speakers for conferences, and working on strategic planning /organizational issues. 

Johnson recounts, “Over time, we began to talk about ways that the U.S. and Canadian associations could collaborate.  One of the most successful collaborations has been with the LEAVE A LEGACY® program.  The Canadians were interested in promoting that program and using it in Canada as well.  NCPG licensed the use of the program to CAGP*ACPDP and that was the first real collaborative program effort.”

To read more about the alliance and its benefits, click here.

The Importance of Stewardship in Moving Donors to Lifetime Giving.

As we all know, stewardship is an essential process in Planned Giving.  The following article focuses on how stewardship engages donors. 

Charities aim to be better stewards by engaging donors.  By Todd Cohen.  

Tracking donors to Easter Seals Southern California in Santa Ana, Mike Flory noticed an older donor over the years had made 60 to 70 gifts averaging $50 to $100 in response to direct-mail appeals. 

So Flory, a consultant to the charity who was its vice president of donor relations, invited the donor to visit an adult day program for people with severe disabilities. 

"The donor was so overwhelmed we were providing the service, she immediately called her stock broker and made a $10,000 stock gift," Flory says, a contribution she has since made every year for seven years.

To read more about Engaging Donors, click here.

Prior to our last issue, the Planned Giving Pulse asked our readers to respond to an informal poll regarding Annual Fund Drives. Please Note:  This is an unscientific survey.

Respondents answered the following questions:

1. What % increase or decrease did your organization raise over last year?

Ø      71% of respondents reported an increase in funds raised over last year.

Ø      14.5% reported a decrease

Ø      14.5% reported maintaining their level of funds raised

The average increase reported was 29%.  Increases ranged from as low as 4% to as high as 100% over last year.  The average decrease reported was 3%.

To read more of the results of the survey, click here