planned giving

Planned Giving Rationale

The following points underscore the necessity behind initiating or enhancing a Planned Giving program (PG) at your institution:

  • The past 15 years have been the most massive period of private wealth generation in history.
  • In 2004, the estimated number of people having a net worth of $3.5 million or more was over 8 million.
  • Two-thirds of millionaires own their own businesses.
  • 89% of affluent business owners are from “poor” or “middle class” backgrounds.
  • By the year 2047, over $47 trillion will be inter-generationally transferred.
  • Six out of every 10 adults die without a will or trust.
  • Over the past 10 years, gift planning substantially increased as a percentage of overall giving.
  • Over 50% of the revenue of charitable organizations with over five years of experience and complete development programs comes through planned giving.
  • Most estates are dissipated within 7 years after death of the decedent, due to lack of good management.
  • According to the Rockefeller Foundation, fewer than 15% of those individuals capable of making large gifts have ever been asked.
  • 95% of people in the U.S. own life insurance.

PG Components

Reduced to its essentials, a successful PG program is a service-oriented program that gives the opportunity for an individual to arrange their estate in a way that will meet their financial needs, while at the same time assisting the college to fulfill its mission.  A fundamental principle of successful gift-planning programs is long range commitment by the college.  All involved must understand and support the unique requirements of a gift-planning program to achieve the following goals:

  • Three-year goal
  • Ten-year goal
  • Twenty-five-year goal

Requirements for a successful planned giving program:

  • A worthy, highly-regarded institution
  • Administrative commitment
  • A realistic budget
  • A qualified, well-trained director of gift planning
  • A committed, trained, and influential foundation committee/advisory board
  • A prospect research and tracking system
  • A plan of action
  • Sound management
  • Patience

The Four “A’s” of Gift Completion

  • Ask
  • Acknowledge
  • Appreciate
  • Account

or additional information on the planned giving program service, please send inquiries via email to Amy Pollock, Associate Vice-President of Programs and Services:  apollock@clmgroup.com.