Your organization plays a fundamental role in creating a thriving and equitable Alexandria. ACT launched Think Ahead Alexandria to be a community-wide legacy initiative to bolster investment in the long-term financial sustainability of Alexandria’s nonprofits like yours. We know you are stretched raising immediate dollars for programming and services. We want to make it easier to incorporate this important piece of philanthropy into your program! Are you ready?
Before you start…
- Can you track conversations and commitments?
- Can you receive complex assets? (If not, call ACT and inquire about an Agency Fund)
- Who on staff will be responsible?
- Do you have a legacy society? If not, now is the time to create one!
Set goals…
- Determine your S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based) goals. Some examples are: Number or amount of planned gifts committed Number of prospects identified Number of one-on-one prospect meetings
Communicate…
- How will this fit into your communications plan?
- Educate your board and volunteers (ACT has a PowerPoint you can use!)
- Add language to your website Add language to your year-end appeal/response card
- Do you have donors who already made a commitment? Ask them to share their story.
- Use ACT’s communication’s guide below to start reaching out to your supporters!
Identify…
- Survey your supporters to uncover existing commitments and interested prospects
- Run a list of longtime donors
- Determine current and former board members and frequent volunteers
- Look for donors who can benefit from tax-advantages (like IRA minimum distribution)