1. Invite a speaker to address your board members or staff about LEAVE A LEGACY^® work.
2. Get board endorsement of the project and your organization's participation.
3. Link your web site to ours.
4. If you have a newsletter, run a series of articles about planned giving in general and LEAVE A LEGACY^® specifically. Include any testimonials from your donors about their giving.
5. Personalize the LEAVE A LEGACY^® brochures with your own logo or name.
6. Mail LEAVE A LEGACY^® brochures to your closest supporters with a cover letter personally signed by the executive director or board president.
7. Invite supporters to a presentation and use someone from the Speaker's Bureau to talk about planned giving.
8. Use the LEAVE A LEGACY^® logo in all materials about gift planning.
9. Add a line where individuals can express interest in gift planning information in every campaign or survey you conduct.
10. Educate and alert your staff (particularly anyone who answers phones) about LEAVE A LEGACY^® and your participation.
11. Carefully think through your prompt response to any LEAVE A LEGACY^® inquiries and develop a letter and simple packet of information. Set aside time to follow up.
12. Involve your volunteer leadership to visit your organization with any interested donors.
13. Join your local LEAVE A LEGACY^® team and help raise community awareness!

10 General Actions That Can Generate Legacy Donations

1. In every issue of your newsletter, make sure to include a small box with your organization's full legal name and a simple statement about giving.
2. Adopt a gift acceptance policy that addresses donations other than outright cash.
3. Set up an endowment fund if you do not already have one.
4. Establish goals for your endowment fund, based on anticipated needs over the next 10-20+ years.
5. Join your local planned giving council and learn more about gift planning and network with nonprofit and allied professionals in your community.
6. Set up or re-evaluate your financial investment policy.
7. Consider making your own gift to the nonprofits or charities of your choice.
8. Set up a committee to meet with your closest supporters and share your plans.
9. Set up a recognition process including such items as a heritage society, plaque in the lobby, and/or annual listing in the newsletter or annual report.
10. Hire a planned giving consultant to help you get started.