Planned Giving Consulting

Available through PlannedGiving.com

Overview

We provide expert planned giving consulting services led by Joe Garecht, a nationally recognized fundraising consultant who specializes in helping nonprofits launch and grow planned giving programs. Our approach delivers strategic, practical guidance that helps organizations establish strong programs without unnecessary legal or technical complexity.

In addition to planned giving, Joe brings extensive expertise in major gifts strategy, allowing organizations to benefit from comprehensive counsel in both areas of long-term fundraising.

Core Service Areas

Program Strategy & Implementation

Quick-Start Planning

• Development of practical 90-day roadmaps to launch or strengthen a planned giving program
• Prioritization of early, achievable milestones to build momentum

Leadership and Board Education

• Clear training sessions to build buy-in and understanding among executives and trustees
• Demystification of planned giving concepts for non-technical audiences

Program Assessment & Audit

• Comprehensive review of existing planned giving efforts
• Gap analysis and recommendations for improvement

Organizational Readiness

Gift Acceptance Policies

• Review and refinement of existing policies
• Creation of streamlined policies covering core gift types

Staff Coaching

• Guidance for development professionals with limited time capacity
• Step-by-step direction to maintain sustainable progress

Advisor Collaboration

• High-level guidance on when and how to engage estate attorneys, CPAs, and financial planners
• Building professional referral networks

Internal Systems Setup

• Database configuration for planned gift tracking
• Workflow development for gift processing and stewardship

Donor Engagement & Marketing

Relationship-Centered Approach

• Strategies to initiate legacy giving conversations in plain language
• Emphasis on trust-building and donor stewardship

Marketing Guidance

• Recommendations for websites, brochures, and recognition tools
• Development of compelling donor stories that motivate others to give

Prospect Identification

• Training on how to identify planned giving prospects
• Donor segmentation strategies for targeted outreach

Communication Templates

• Sample letters, emails, and talking points for various scenarios
• Seasonal campaign planning and messaging

Legacy & Long-Term Growth

Legacy Society Development

• Assistance in establishing or revitalizing a legacy society
• Naming, positioning, and recognition strategies that resonate with donors

Recognition Programs

• Practical ways to publicly honor and highlight legacy donors
• Event planning for legacy society gatherings

Program Sustainability

• Coaching designed to ensure staff can independently carry the program forward
• Long-term strategic planning for program growth

Endowment Integration

• Connecting planned gifts to endowment goals
• Stewardship strategies for endowed funds

Additional Specialized Services

Performance & Analytics

Metrics & Reporting

• Key performance indicators for planned giving programs
• Regular progress tracking and reporting systems

ROI Analysis

• Cost-benefit analysis of planned giving initiatives
• Benchmarking against sector standards

Training & Education

Staff Development Programs

• Comprehensive training curricula for development teams
• Ongoing professional development support

Board Workshop Series

• Multi-session educational programs for trustees
• Case study reviews and best practice sharing

Integration Services

Major Gifts Coordination

• Strategies for integrating planned and major gift efforts
• Donor journey mapping across gift types

Capital Campaign Integration

• Incorporating planned gifts into campaign strategies
• Legacy components for capital initiatives

Annual Fund Enhancement

• Using planned giving to upgrade annual donors
• Cross-promotional strategies

Contact Information

PlannedGiving.com
800-490-7090
Tampa, FL
success@majorgifts.com

Ready to transform your planned giving program? Contact us to discuss your organization’s specific goals and timeline.