Planned Giving: ‘How Old Are You and Did You Know You Could … ?’
“My husband always made the financial decisions. I am just learning what we really have.”
Possible response: “I would be pleased to help you determine what type of gift might make sense based on the assets that you have. Those who own stocks have some good options, as they find they can turn those assets into an income stream for life. And those who have retirement plans have to designate beneficiaries, and we find that our organization is often named a beneficiary in order to establish a fund in someone’s honor. Let me know how I can assist you.”
3. Do you have children/grandchildren?
The phrase “our children” can mean vastly different things in different families. In our experience, the very best gift-planning prospects — the ones we are all seeking — are single persons or married couples without children. Why is this? Because these prospects have almost always pondered what will happen with their assets and how they want to be remembered when they pass on. Other constituents need to be educated or reminded to do some planning, or even to have basic wills; seldom is that the case with childless prospects.
