It is no secret that the largest transfer of wealth in human history is starting to take place between Baby Boomers and Millennials. Over the next 30 years, an estimated $68 trillion will be transferred between the two generations. While this is occurring, there is a great opportunity for non-profits to secure donations through planned giving. This is a good thing for the financial well-being of your parish, right? And this is all going to happen because you have parish planned giving seminars…
Well, not so fast.
According to research by Russell James, a professor in Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech, around 95 percent of Americans do not include charitable giving in their wills. The big problem here is not that Baby Boomers are uncharitable, but that most of them do not know about the benefits of planned giving. Here are just a few:
- There are big tax advantages through charitable giving that benefit the overall value of the donor’s estate.
- Donors have more control over where their money goes.
- Donors can make a more substantial gift over time.
One way you can help educate your parishioners is by hosting seminars focused on planned giving. Say thank you to your generous parishioners by paying an expert or professional company to meet with families that are interested and want to learn more. Will this benefit your parish? Yes, it could. More importantly, it benefits the parish families that participate. A planned giving seminar is a great way to say “thank you” to your most generous households. Parish planned giving seminars are a key portion of your outreach to older parishioners.
