Legacy Giving
Legacy Giving refers to the practice of helping donors plan future donations to charities through wills, estate planning, or other long-term giving arrangements. It's also known as planned giving or bequest fundraising. This is a specialized area of fundraising where professionals help supporters leave lasting gifts to causes they care about. Think of it as helping people plan their charitable giving as part of their life story, rather than just focusing on immediate donations. Similar terms include planned giving, bequest programs, or estate giving.
Examples in Resumes
Developed and managed Legacy Giving program resulting in $2M in future commitments
Conducted educational seminars about Planned Giving opportunities for potential donors
Increased Legacy Giving and Bequest commitments by 45% through targeted outreach campaigns
Typical job title: "Legacy Giving Officers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Legacy Giving Officers
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a legacy giving strategy for our organization?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should discuss conducting donor research, creating marketing materials, building relationships with legal and financial advisors, and developing long-term stewardship plans. They should also mention measuring success and ROI over extended periods.
Q: How do you handle sensitive conversations about estate planning with donors?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience in tactful communication, understanding of donor motivations, ability to discuss end-of-life planning respectfully, and knowledge of when to involve legal or financial professionals.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What methods do you use to identify potential legacy giving donors?
Expected Answer: Should explain donor screening techniques, understanding giving history, age demographics, relationship building, and how to recognize signals that someone might be interested in legacy giving.
Q: How do you maintain relationships with legacy giving donors over time?
Expected Answer: Should discuss stewardship strategies, regular communication plans, recognition programs, and ways to keep donors engaged with the organization's mission.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic types of legacy gifts?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain simple concepts like bequests in wills, life insurance gifts, and charitable trusts in plain language, showing understanding of common giving vehicles.
Q: How would you explain legacy giving to a potential donor?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to communicate the concept clearly and simply, focusing on impact and donor benefits, without using technical jargon.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of gift types
- Donor database management
- Event coordination
- Basic donor communications
Mid (2-5 years)
- Donor cultivation and stewardship
- Legacy giving program management
- Marketing campaign development
- Relationship building with professional advisors
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic program development
- Complex gift structuring
- Team leadership
- Major donor relationship management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with donor relationship management
- Uncomfortable discussing sensitive topics
- Lack of understanding about basic estate planning concepts
- Poor communication skills or overly technical language
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