Increase Planned Giving Commit today to an improved tomorrow 1

Begin with a context Google “photographs of Episcopal Churches in America”. See some amazing sanctuaries. 2

Then move to mission What’s going on in your church? Your convocation? The community outside your church door? Your diocese? 3

Next, think about the larger church What is the relationship between your church and your diocese? What impact might this have on your church future? What about the national church? Do you see traditions that impact your church? Do you see changes that impact your church? 4

Then, go worldwide Does the worldwide Anglican communion have a bearing on your church mission? On your church operation? Are global changes at large impacting your church? 5

Now, come back home With the bigger context, think about your church future. What issues and needs may be larger than those that can be sustained by your annual stewardship budget? Which of those needs does your endowment presently provide for? 6

Coordinating at home: Part 1 Does your church have a coordinated strategy for raising resources to cover annual, capital, and endowment needs? If so, are there ways the strategy could be improved? If not, where do you begin? 7

Coordinating at home: Part 2 Do you have a parish story – how the different missions and resources fit together? Do you have a synchronized stewardship plan, putting in front of members and other donors, your annual, capital, and planned giving goals? 8

Goals Are the goals you express about significant, mission-oriented achievements? 9

Moving on… Six Ways to Grow 10

First: A Report Distribute a lively, informative annual report about your endowment Discuss: what works well in your experience content method of delivery packaging Reference: An annual report example 11

Second: Regular Gatherings Bring together parish leaders who are or may become planned givers. develop and sustain connections discuss gatherings that work for you reference: Gathering material prompts 12

Third: Foundation Sunday Celebrate your parish commitment to endowment annually. Discuss: Christ Church, Alexandria influence. Your church experience? Reference: Bulletin alert, other materials 13

Fourth: Personal Calls Ask respectfully – in person – for meaningful planned gifts. This means coordinating this asking opportunity with other requests your church makes. Send callers with commitments. Discuss: what happens if planned giving is unsolicited or prompted by mail? How do you prepare for personal calls to ask for planned gifts? Reference: Expert thought on effective gift requests. Robert Sharpe, Jr., Jerold Panas, ECF, additional sources. 14

Fifth: Stories of Giving Parish members tell stories of gifts they have made and others have made. Discuss: how are these stories told? What do they say about bringing together donor hopes and parish mission? How is this alignment managed? Reference: Newsletter update 15

Sixth: Covering Your Bases Have a doable approach to covering planned giving asking responsibility at your church. Discuss: At your church, endowment committee responsibility? Planned giving committee? Stewardship staff? Combination? Reference: Planned giving intent/affirmation collection. 16

Back to Mission Take home implementable planned giving ideas that forward the mission of your church. What are some standout ideas discussed today? 17

Prayer for our Future Planned giving is about the lives we are living and the better future we can create for others. Discuss: how do we prayerfully approach this work in our parish? Reference: The Church is One Foundation. 18