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January 2009

From The President

Time flies when you love your work. In 2009, The Curtis Group celebrates 20 years of helping nonprofits raise money. Whenever our staff gets together, someone invariably mentions how fortunate we are that we can use our skills and talents to benefit good causes and promote philanthropy.

Over our 20 years, we’ve helped more than 80 nonprofits raise upwards of $200 million. One way some clients have accomplished that is through planned giving programs. To learn more about why this could be a good option for your organization, scroll down to Wendy’s article. Then continue on to Wesley’s write-up of planned-giving success stories.

You’ll find more good news below about other clients, too. We’re honored to have played a part in their fundraising achievements. If we can help your nonprofit with that effort, please let us know. And thanks for reading. 

W. Keith Curtis, President

Where There's a Will, There's a Gift

by Wendy McGrady, Vice President

Where There's a Will, There's a Gift

If the term “charitable gift annuity” strikes fear in your heart, allow us to slay that dragon. You might be surprised to learn that you don’t have to be a CPA or financial planner to be comfortable with planned giving.

Every comprehensive development program should include a planned giving component. One important reason, especially now, is that it allows donors who may be struggling with immediate tangible assets to make a gift in a different way. At about 80 percent of planned gifts, bequests are the most common; they’re a natural starting point because donors understand them.

Another option is a charitable gift annuity, which offers income for life tax benefits to donors. In simple terms, this is a contract between a donor and nonprofit through which the donor makes an immediate gift to the nonprofit, the nonprofit returns a percentage of it to the donor over time, and after the donor dies the nonprofit keeps the remainder.

If you do start a planned-giving program, donor stewardship is key. Ongoing promotion and a good relationship with planned gift donors will keep your cause top-of-mind when your supporters make or update their wills. This can be as simple as adding a line like “Please remember us in your estate plans” to your brochures or Web site. If you have questions about starting a planned-giving program, give us a call.

Planned Giving: Client Success Stories

by Wesley Stanley, Campaign Consultant

Still wondering if it’s a good time to launch a planned giving program? These success stories may motivate you.

Eastern Shore Community College’s planned-giving program was barely under way when the college received its first planned gift from a donor who wasn’t even a regular supporter. Executive Director Eve Belote recalls, “We really hadn’t started a formal program when we received our first bequest, from an older gentleman who was simply interested in education and wanted to leave a legacy.” Belote also just learned that the college has been included in a charitable remainder trust by a long-time supporter.

Last spring, as Virginia Living Museum was implementing the first phase of its planned-giving program, an opportunity arose with a long-time museum supporter. After educating the donor on the program, the museum’s first planned gift came in the form of a $225,000 charitable gift annuity.

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School’s planned-giving program, still in its infancy, has already received proceeds from two bequests and one IRA roll-over distribution, totaling $154,000.  “Implementing the program was not difficult at all, once I learned the details,” says Lisa Hamlet, the school’s development director.

Nonprofit News

  • The Elizabeth River Project, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit successfully restoring the Elizabeth River, is seeking an experienced development professional to serve as Director of Development and Community Outreach. For details, click here.

  • The Norfolk Foundation awarded EQUI-Kids a $75,000 grant and Virginia Living Museum a $50,000 for their Capital Campaigns.

  • Oasis Social Ministries and ACCESS AIDS Care recently received grants from The Norfolk Foundation’s Charters Basic Needs Relief Fund, which awarded $1.1 million to 22 nonprofit organizations providing basic human needs such as food, shelter, medical care and clothing to Hampton Roads residents.

  • The American Council on Gift Annuities has lowered the suggested gift annuity rates.  The new rates will take effect February 1, 2009, and will only apply to gift annuity contracts entered on or after this date. For details, please visit ACGA Web Rates.

  • For the second year in a row, The Curtis Group has been chosen to assist The Norfolk Foundation with its 2009 Building Excellence Grant Program, which provides four nonprofits with a consultant to help increase their development capabilities.

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