JLC2 Janet Levine Consulting
Building Fundraising Capacity

April 2015
In This Issue
Annual and Major Gifts
The Benefits of a Charitable Remainder Trust
Bye-Bye Boomers
 
Build Your Fundraising Capacity!

Working closely with staff and boards, Janet Levine Consulting will help you increase fundraising capacity and build sustainability. Our philosophy is one of collaboration, where together we develop and implement comprehensive programs that fit the needs and resources of your organization.  

 

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  The past few weeks have been quieter than usual. Clients areclosed for spring break. If the organization isn't closed, the person or people I work with are-on vacation or taking a hiatus.    

   Great, I thought. Time to organization those computer files. Write those articles. Get my contacts into some semblance of order.

   Not so much. I got so much less accomplished than I normally do. Proving, if proof were still needed, that if you want someone to do something, find the busiest person you know.

   It's so true for me. When I am overwhelmed with how much I have to do, I find the way to get it all done. And then I actually also have time to do more.

   But when I have time on my hands, well, I have time on my hands.

   A lot of it has to do with how I schedule myself. If I put it in my calendar, with a start and an end time, I get it done.

If I put it in my calendar as a "to do," I may or may not get to it. (READ MORE) 

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This month we'll be talking about time, annual and major gifts, ways to increase your (or your donors!) charitable gifts,  and what's going to happen when the boomers (that would be me) retire (that would not be me).  Keep

reading.  I hope you find it all helpful.

 

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  Need help in increasing your fundraising capacity or getting your Board to participate?  Help is here.   

Email me 

 or call 310-990-9151  

 

Together we can make it happen! 
Annual and Major Gifts
 

You've probably all seen this pyramid--which shows how in best case scenarios donors enter your giving pool by being an occasional or first time giver or event attendee, move up to become annual donors, major givers and finally makers of planned gifts. It's a pyramid because as you move up, fewer and fewer donors are making that journey. That's okay because most of the money you are raising comes from these top two tiers.    

   This is a good description of how many organizations raise money-and I hate this way of describing fund development. I hate it for a for a few reasons. The main reason is that it actually makes no sense. We are comparing apples to oranges because annual donors-those who give to you each and every year-are defined on a calendar basis. A donor who gives you $5 every year is an annual donor. So is the one who gives $10,000 a year.  

   Major gifts, on the other hand, we characterize as those gifts that are above a certain size. Can you see the problem?  

   So I prefer to think about these gifts-in a different way.  (READ MORE) 
The Benefits of a Charitable Remainder Trust

Jayd Swendseid is a Certified Financial Planner with Financial West Group.  You can reach Jayd at jswendseid@fwg.com. 
 

   Sometimes it takes tough economic times and natural disasters to unite and bring out the best in people. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes have served to bring communities together and impact the nation as a whole. Americans have given generously to rebuild communities and help local residents through these difficult situations. 

    Many people have also responded to tragedies worldwide or have made donations to wildlife and environmental charities. And when we give, most of us simply give from the heart and do not always consider the financial implications.

    In many instances, there are ways to increase your gifts. The charity can receive a more substantial gift and you can increase your tax benefits. The charitable remainder trust is a popular estate-planning strategy that could enable you to gift an appreciated property or security and retain an interest income for you and your family.  (READ MORE) 



BYE-BYE BOOMERS 

 

   So many boomers are finally leaving the workforce. Because in smaller orgs, there was no place for the next gen ED to be an ED, people now aged 38-60 left small orgs in droves. Now, there is no one waiting in the wings.

     Given the lack of trained personnel, I see these small nonprofits hiring people from out of the field-no NPO management experience; or pushing twenty somethings into jobs that they are not yet ready for. Is this a disaster waiting to happen or a terrific opportunity? (READ MORE)
  • Are your fundraising results down?
  •  Board members bored?  
  • Are you thinking about a campaign? 
  • Or perhaps you need individual fundraising coaching!

Whatever your capacity building needs, Janet Levine Consulting can help.

  

 
TO SCHEDULE A FREE 30-MINUTE CONSULTATION, 

 

email or give me a call at 310-990-9151


I look forward to meeting with you.

Sincerely, JHL3

 Janet

Janet Levine 
Janet Levine Consulting