By Andy Ragone, CGPP Every charitable organization wants donors to think about the future. Many encourage supporters to create a will, use a free online will service, or include a charitable bequest in their estate plans. These are valuable first steps. Yet a first step should lead somewhere. For a charitable organization, the real measure of estate planning outreach is the number of charitable intentions that eventually become materialized gifts. A donor may sincerely intend

Using the FIRP Method By Andy Ragone Robert leaned back in his chair and smiled as he talked about his grandchildren. What began as a simple conversation over coffee had gradually unfolded into something much deeper. Over the course of an hour, he shared stories about growing up on a farm in Kansas, building a manufacturing company from scratch, raising a family, and navigating the challenges that inevitably accompany a long life. Across the table sat Jimmy, a fundraiser whos

By Kimberly Jetton Planned giving programs often find themselves in a precarious position. When budgets tighten or staffing becomes strained, gift planning is frequently among the first areas considered for reduction. The irony is that many organizations make these decisions without fully understanding the program's impact because they have never measured it. For many gift planning professionals, the program's future is tied to results the organization may not even be trackin

From transactional sales representatives to trusted philanthropic guides By Andy Ragone The strongest fundraisers I have known were never really selling anything. They listened longer than most people. They noticed details others missed. They carried a different kind of patience, the patience you find in trial lawyers, counselors, old detectives, or physicians who have spent decades delivering difficult news with steady hands. They listened carefully. They watched closely. Th

Once donors stop asking, “What can we spare from income?” and begin asking, “What resources have been entrusted to us?” their vision changes. Their confidence changes. Their generosity changes.