{"id":140173,"date":"2025-08-21T10:29:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T14:29:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomerang.com\/?p=140173"},"modified":"2025-10-01T16:44:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T20:44:08","slug":"ask-an-expert-what-to-do-when-your-organization-is-in-someones-will","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomerang.com\/blog\/ask-an-expert-what-to-do-when-your-organization-is-in-someones-will\/","title":{"rendered":"[ASK AN EXPERT] What to do when you\u2019re notified your organization is in someone\u2019s will"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Ask An Expert<\/a> series features real questions answered by Claire Axelrad, J.D., CFRE<\/a>, also known as Charity Clairity. <\/strong>Today\u2019s question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants advice on how to start legacy giving conversations with donors: <\/b><\/p>\n

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Dear Charity Clairity,<\/i><\/p>\n

I was talking with a donor the other day and he mentioned our organization was in his Will. How do you go about asking for amounts and documenting it? For example, we want to document that he is a legacy giver, and we’d love to enter the amount as a pledge. How do you ask that question\/questions? Is this something nonprofits do? Also, we found out about this gift intention fortuitously. I\u2019m wondering if we can proactively start conversations about legacy giving with donors if we don\u2019t yet have any communication materials? <\/i><\/p>\n

— Willing it To Be<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dear Willing it To Be,<\/i><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break this down into:<\/p>\n

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  1. How to ask<\/li>\n
  2. How to document internally<\/li>\n
  3. How to record (finance and development)<\/li>\n
  4. How to secure commitments<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How to ask<\/h2>\n

    Some donors are proud to tell you the expected size of their bequest to you, while others can prefer more privacy. <\/b>There\u2019s room for both; what\u2019s important is demonstrating gratitude and working with what makes your particular donor comfortable. Curiosity and empathy must go hand in hand.<\/p>\n

    As fundraising departments everywhere become more data driven, it\u2019s not unreasonable to seek to document the amount or estimated value of donor bequest provisions<\/b>, including whether they are specific, contingent, or residuary, and the date of the Will or trust. Today, the portion of organizations showing the estimated<\/i> dollar value of bequest intentions on internal management reports may be approaching 50%. For those intentions whose values are undisclosed by the donor, the best practice is to apply a five-year or ten-year rolling average, based on the pool of known amounts.<\/p>\n

    That being said, it\u2019s important to frame requests for this information in <\/b>donor-centered<\/i><\/b> terms.<\/b> Let donors know you\u2019re asking for (1) future planning purposes, and (2) to assure their desires are fulfilled. Compliance should be completely voluntary. There can be a fine line between appearing merely nosey and appearing helpful, diligent, and concerned.<\/p>\n

    How to document internally<\/h2>\n

    It is not advisable to <\/b>require<\/i><\/b> donors to report to you the amount of their legacy gift<\/a> expectancy.<\/b> What I recommend is asking donors if they would feel comfortable completing a non-binding Letter of Intent<\/i>. You can find some examples here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Make it optional; people can get a bit leery if you seem too nosy.<\/b> The basic function of the Letter of Intent<\/i> is simply to formalize their commitment in some fashion. Just know that once they commit in writing they\u2019re more likely to stick with the commitment<\/a> \u2014 especially<\/i> if you steward them over time. The written Letter of Intent<\/i> also serves as a record so future staff will be alerted to the need to continue ongoing cultivation and recognition of these loyal supporters.<\/p>\n