Jesus often talked about our relationship to the “things” we possess. In Luke 12:13-21 Jesus is asked about dividing a family inheritance. He replies with a story. A rich man decides to build new barns to hold his bumper crop, then to “eat, drink, and be merry.” However, “God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
We are stewards of God’s bounty. Caretakers. For a brief period we are given time, energy, and resources. What we do with these gifts ultimately defines the character of our life and the depth of our spiritual understanding.
Planned giving is one expression of the wise use of the personal resources God has entrusted to us.
Relationships and clearly expressed values and priorities are central to successful stewardship. The steps below, along with resources on donor-advised funds and endowments, will help you build a planned giving ministry.
Four steps to a planned giving ministry
Tap a step to open it.
1Create a plan for receiving gifts
Congregations need to have an infrastructure in place for receiving planned gifts. Ensuring there are transparent ways for communicating how gifts are received and used is vital for bolstering a planned giving program.
Additionally, some gifts may not be at an advantage for the congregation to receive. Gift acceptance policies ensures that leadership is able to make wise decisions.
Below are resources that can be used in developing a healthy, transparent infrastructure:
Example Resources
2Develop a team that is committed to this ministry
Like the annual fund, volunteers need to have a clear idea of what to expect. Creating a volunteer job description (sample here) allows for healthy commitment.
3Discover and create records of existing planned gift pledges
It is likely that there are those in your congregation that have indicated that your congregation is part of their estate plans. Before initiating a public phase to a planned gift program, send out a letter of intent to determine:
- Those who have already made a gift
- Their desire to be acknowledged publicly
- Any remembrance or special consideration (including anonymity)
A sample of a letter of intent can be found here. Letters of intent can be sent with prepaid envelopes if confidentiality is a likely concern. Creating records of existing pledges allows you to initiate or bolster your program from a place of strength.
4Choose a plan that fits your congregation
Your congregation may have an existing program that requires some new energy. Or, you may be starting from scratch.
You may have a significant number of volunteers. Or, perhaps your team that will be leading this initiative is few in number.
Understanding the variables and creating a plan that works for your context is vital to success. Guides like Funding Future Ministries (Episcopal Church Foundation) offer sample options to adapt to your needs.
Planned giving help
- Your Planning LibraryELCA FoundationShort donor guides on wills, gift annuities, trusts, donor-advised funds, real estate, and life insurance. A congregation can adapt them with its own name and details.
- Planned Giving Brochures and BookletsEpiscopal Church FoundationFree downloads that explain planned giving and specific gift types; printed copies are sold through Forward Movement. See also Planned Giving on Demand, endowment management, and donor-advised funds.
- Stewardship and Planned Giving SupportPresbyterian Foundation, PC(USA)Regional Ministry Relations Officers who advise congregations, plus a monthly stewardship newsletter.
- Stewardship & Generosity Resource LibraryUnited Church of ChristIncludes planned giving resources and links to United Church Funds.
Training and research
- Lake Institute on Faith & GivingIndiana UniversityResearch on religious giving, a searchable resource library, a free newsletter, and the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising. Serves all traditions.
- Cultivating Generous CongregationsLake Institute courseAn eight-week course for a team of three to five from one congregation, including the pastor. Offered through denominational and network partners, such as Everence.
- Church Financial Leadership AcademyPresbyterian Foundation, PC(USA)Video-based training on stewardship, planned giving, and year-round efforts.