This weekend I will be speaking at Stewardship University sponsored by Everence with a focus on legacy. For my perspective and training one’s legacy can be defined by:
- What impact we had on the others and the world and
- What and whom we valued and why.
I’ll be leading participants in a guided to discussion to help them begin the process of considering what their legacies might be. Defining and writing about one’s legacy can’t typically be accomplished in one hour, rather participants will learn about a process they might use to write a legacy letter to be shared with loved ones. I’ll be inviting participants to spend a bit of time “listening for legacy” with their fellow workshop attendees — it’s a brief, but often a moving and powerful experience.
Why bring up “listening for legacy” in the context of fundraising? Because it’s critical for fundraisers to listen and learn about what each donor believes his or her legacy will be, particularly as we build relationships with planned giving donors.
As Advancement Resources likes to say, “It’s Not about Me!” (meaning you the gift officer) when building a relationship with a prospective donor. Learning about a donor’s legacy will help you understand what events, values, and people mattered to her. You will then have information that will enable you to tie the prospective donor’s interests to the mission, vision, and work done by your organization in an authentic and meaningful way (authentic for your nonprofit and the donor). And making that connection can lead to gifts that will bring great joy to donors and your nonprofit.
Are you “listening for legacy”? Are you interested in learning more about ways in which I can help your donors outline and communicate with others about their legacies? If so, please contact me here: https://i5fundraising.com/contact/ I will be back in touch
Thanks for “listening”!
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