Planned Giving:

What is Planned Giving?

"Planned giving is the art of helping people learn they can afford to make more generous charitable contributions than they had thought possible." The ABC's of Planned Giving, L. Clough, 1992, p 5.

Many faithful people practice the spiritual discipline of regular financial offerings to their church or favorite charities. Typically regular offerings represent a portion of a household’s income, given to a faith community in celebration of God’s blessings.

Like Jesus’ disciples who didn’t realize they could fill their nets by simply casting on the other side of the boat (John 21.6), many people are unaware of the value of another side of their personal financial “boat” - their assets. The field of planned giving teaches us to be faithful stewards of our accumulated assets, to discover the wealth of giving opportunities available to all persons. Because planned gifts typically arise from asset management, this type of giving is typically “win-win” and grows our financial stewardship today and into the future.

Persons with a strong history of faithful giving, whether small or significant amounts, demonstrate “donor intent”. The most satisfying aspect of planned giving is supporting donor’s exploration of the many ways they can fulfill their hopes and visions for making a difference with the gifts God has entrusted to them. There are many persons with “donor intent” in our congregations. And they are waiting for us to extend an invitation and to hook them up with giving opportunities that fit their unique life experiences.

Sound too good to be true? Imagine the disciples surprise when they drew in full nets, simply by casting on the other side of the boat! Planned giving and the simple gift vehicles available offer great rewards for those curious, committed and faithful persons willing to explore!

In congregations, the pastor is typically well positioned to identify persons who could benefit from planned giving information. Pastors are a valuable player in the communication and development of faithful stewardship. In addition, lay leadership knowledge can open doors of opportunity for conversation about gifts that benefit both donor and ministries. The ability of ministries to create endowments and equip donors to support the future of their ministry, connects donors with opportunities to enjoy generosity.

Churches may find it helpful to first create an endowment and planned giving ministry to coordinate communication and education about creative gift strategies. Having policies in place to guide donors can reduce conflict that can arise from “surprise” gifts. However, sometimes surprise gifts create the motivation to discuss and establish policies. Since many gifts are surprises, it can be advantageous to plan ahead and establish policies to prevent confusion and conflict in the future. Donors may not require policies, but for those who ask, being able to say “Yes, here they are” generates valuable trust and credibility.

We are called to celebrate our giftedness and to invite others into the joy that flows from giving!

Happy Casting!