We spend a lot of time in conversation with nonprofit organizations, development staff and board members. One question we consistently hear: How do we build reliable, long-term funding streams to support our nonprofit’s mission-critical work far into the future?
Annual campaigns, events and major gifts are essential, of course. But there’s another pillar often overlooked—even though it has incredible potential to solidify financial sustainability: Legacy and Estate Gifts of Real Property. We’re talking BIG gift energy here, people! If you and your organization haven’t yet done your homework on this topic, rest easy. We got you! Start by reading this and beginning your recon. Understand that Legacy Gifts not only benefit nonprofits, they also provide some serious benefits for donors too!
Folks need more information about their options. You can help by educating and soliciting your donors about how estate plans and legacy giving can support your mission AND their bottom line simultaneously.
Do you struggle with:
- Not knowing how to introduce the topic to supporters
- Feeling undereducated about estate planning or its potential perks
- Wondering if the topic is intrusive
- Lacking time, strategy or tools to branch out into these bigger asks
Never fear! We’ve partnered with our friends at The Commons Law Center to bring resources designed to help nonprofits and your donors!
By the end, you’ll:
- Understand the basics of estate planning + charitable bequests
- Learn how to talk about legacy giving in donor-friendly, mission-forward ways
- Explore sample messaging + donor touchpoints
- Build confidence around discussing the topic
- Identify mission-aligned donor segments
This collaboration is part of our commitment to walk alongside our nonprofit partners—as collaborators, advocates and educators. Our goal is to help you feel supported, informed and equipped to engage donors around planned giving—graciously, confidently and in alignment with your org’s values.
Estate Planning Matters for Nonprofits
In 2023, charitable bequests in the U.S. totaled approximately $42.7–$45.6 billion, representing around 8–9% of total charitable giving.
Source: Giving USA 2024 Report; Sargent Bequest Giving Fact Sheet
Yet fewer than 6% of donors have included a charity in their estate plans.
We see enormous opportunity here—not just for fundraising growth, but for deepening relationships with your most mission-aligned supporters.
Legacy gifts allow donors to:
- Extend their core values beyond their lifetime
- Support causes they care deeply about in meaningful ways
- Make an impact even if current cash flow is limited
- Potentially reduce estate + capital gains taxes for heirs
These gifts are often among an organization’s largest lifetime gifts, with average bequests estimated between $35,000–$70,000+!
Some of the most transformational gifts come from donors who gave modestly during their lifetimes – but felt deeply connected to the mission.
Stewardship — Not Solicitation
Legacy conversations aren’t about pressure or urgency. They’re really about:
- Sharing information
- Offering accessible resources
- Honoring the donor’s personal journey
Most people simply don’t know:
- They can include charitable giving in estate plans
- They need not be wealthy to do so
By offering thorough education, you can empower your donors to express their values in meaningful, lasting ways. You’re welcome.It’s stewardship at its best: supportive, innovative and deeply relational.
Who Should You Be Talking To?
Planned gifts can come from anyone. The FreeWill 2024 Planned Giving Report notes the median age of those creating estate plans is 55.
Donors most likely to participate in legacy giving include:
- Donors aged 55+
- Long-time, consistent donors
- Volunteers + former board members
- Alumni + program participants
- Donors experiencing life transitions (retirement, selling a home/business, new grandchildren…)
Interestingly, wealth is not the best predictor. Some of the most significant planned gifts have come from individuals of modest means.
Tax Benefits
Let us start with: we’re not attorneys and we are not offering legal advice here. We implore you to chat with The Commons Law Center or your own legal counsel to firm up your specific plan. But you must understand the basics so you can help donors explore their options confidently.
Charitable estate gifts may:
- Reduce the taxable value of an estate
- Help donors avoid or defer capital gains tax on appreciated assets
- Provide income tax advantages with certain vehicles (like charitable remainder trusts)
Start the Convo
Legacy giving can feel intimidating—for NPOs and donors. But introducing the topic can be simple and eye opening.
Ease in gently by weaving legacy giving content into:
- Newsletters + annual reports
- Emails
- Impact stories
- Acknowledgment letters
- “Ways to Give” website pages
- Social media
As always, be certain your tone lands as an invitation…never pressure. We’re inviting donors to learn more – not strong-arming anyone into doing anything.
Estate Planning = Mission Support
Instead of positioning legacy giving purely as a financial tool, center it in your mission:
- How could a future gift change/enhance/scale the work you do?
- What could it mean for the people/places/animals you serve?
- What long-term impact could it unveil?
Legacy gifts can fund just about anything. Though we know donors generally prefer to have some sort of understanding of how their gift could make a difference.
Some popular ideas to consider funneling legacy funds toward:
- Whatever the DONOR wants!
- Begin or sustain scholarship or financial aid programs
- Fund endowments
- Expand services + programming
- Support future staffing + infrastructure
- Create long-term stability
- Capital Projects
Just one estate gift is transformational. And so worth your efforts!
We’re Here for You
We know many orgs lack the staff capacity, training or confidence to build a planned giving program from scratch—especially for smaller nonprofits doing everything with a lean team. Our partners at The Commons Law Center are happy to chat with you and answer your questions!
Stay Tuned!
We hope this sparks your curiosity about how legacy giving can sustain your mission—not just today, but for decades to come.
We’re kicking off a Legacy Webinar Series with The Commons Law Center, starting with Estate Planning 101!
This webinar is designed for those interested in learning more about Estate Planning and understanding how thoughtful planning can create a lasting impact. We’ll cover the fundamentals wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and how assets like real property can be planned for with intention. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how estate planning protects loved ones and strengthens the missions and causes you care deeply about.
Join us on February 10, 2025, 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. for Estate Planning 101 – a virtual webinar in collaboration with the Commons Law Project.
Future topics in the series will include:
- How to speak to your donors about the benefits of donating legacy gifts and real property
- Estate Planning Deep Dive for donors and NPOs
We can’t wait to delve deeper and help you level up your planned giving strategies! We fundraise to drive the change we wish to see in the world. How can we help you?
Let’s change the world – together. Reach out!