 The meaningful involvement and engagement of people in our mission and vision for the future.

The Annual Appeal

 Allows your institution to navigate challenges today  Provides for today’s innovative programs and urgent priorities, such as financial assistance  Provides an avenue to overcome unforeseen obstacles  Allows your institution to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities that will arise throughout the year

 The Annual Appeal is not a fundraiser!  There is no buy and sell  The Annual Appeal should not be, “Show me the money”

 The Annual Appeal is or will be the process of inviting people to support Catholic education TODAY with their: ◦ GIFT OF PRAYER ◦ GIFT OF SERVICE ◦ GIFT OF FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION

 Benefits to inviting all three gifts: ◦ Increased parent participation ◦ More families than ever before are praying for my school ◦ Increased people base ◦ Increased service to my school ◦ Increased service means increased development dollars

 Is it clear where your school plans to use the gifts that people will share with you?  People want to see tangible results.  They want to see how they can specifically help- whether it’s saying the Annual Appeal Prayer every day or helping to coach the 5 th grade volleyball team or financially giving money to build a new computer lab.

 In order for the Annual Appeal to be successful, you need network of people working closely with the principal, pastor or development officer to make the process work. YOU NEED TO BE PART OF THIS NETWORK.  The more individuals involved the more successful the campaign will be.

 Direct mail should do 3 things: 1.Announce 2.Inform 3.Invite 4.Reinforce

 Your mailing can be in many different formats or can be a combination of these formats: ◦ Personalized letter ◦ Annual Appeal brochure ◦ Intention card inviting three gifts ◦ Return envelop ◦ Mailing envelop ◦ Annual Appeal Prayer Card

 Calls  s  Have information about the Annual Appeal available on the website  Brochures and signs around the school, at your sporting events and in the programs, in the Parish  Donor recognition

 What communication vehicles have you set up?  Lots of possibilities: , website, signage at the school  Communicate monthly

 Communicate by weekly  Have a regularly scheduled monthly meeting

1. Relationships begin to build 2. Better understanding of donor passions 3. People become more receptive to future involvement 4. Culture begins to shift from Appeal-raising inside the school/parish to a development/ advancement effort for the entire faith community to support

Major components: 1. Bridge the Gap- - New look for this year - Mailed June 1 2. Annual Report-August 15 th 3. Second Bridge the Gap- September The Give 5 Alumni Campaign-October 1 5. End of the Year Giving- November 15 th

Benefits to the SchoolBenefits to the Donor  With proper planning you may be able to give the gift of your dreams while providing for your future and for your loved ones.  Proper planning, can ensure that your wishes, desires and passions are recognized.  Proper planning may allow you to make a substantial gift without touching your current income or assets.  Proper planning can allow for significant financial and tax benefits.  The planned giving program will fuel the school endowment.  Immediate benefits.  Ensures future strength and ability to plan for and cope with obstacles in the future.

 Need a group of leaders to get the ball rolling  Who are we talking about: YOU! Members of the board, parents, parish leaders, alumni leaders, past parents  Special knowledge is not required  8-10 people

 Secure a tax attorney and/or CPA to act in an advisory capacity. These individuals should not be a part of the committee but should instead advise the committee.

 One of the first tasks of the newly formed Planned Giving Committee is to establish the philosophy and rationale on why the school is setting up the Planned Giving Program.  Why is planned giving important and how does it differ from other forms of giving such as the annual campaign and capital giving.

 The Planned Giving Committee should create a Mission Statement explaining the purpose of the planned giving effort.  In my opinion the message revolves around: ◦ Sustainability ◦ Leaving a Legacy ◦ Now & Later ◦ Gifts that Give Twice

 Establish first year goals and objectives. ◦ Create a plan for the year  Determine donor attitudes on planned giving ◦ Conduct a feasibility study to determine their attitudes, wishes and interest

 Begin by reviewing the policies and guidelines establish by the Diocese.

 This should be an going process and one of the primary functions of the Planned Giving Committee  Identify a list of individuals  Where to begin: ◦ List of donors from capital campaigns, the annual Appeal, the foundation and so on

 It cannot be assumed that everyone on the Planned Giving Committee will know how to visit and invite.  Provide training to the committee, school board, development committee

 Conduct one-on-one visits with prospects ◦ Establish the beginning of a relationship ◦ Find out how the donor feels about the school ◦ Explain that the school is starting a Planned Giving Program and one of the main purposes of the visit is to “ask the customer” what his/her/their needs are.

1. Bequests 2. Charitable Gift Annuities 3. Trusts 4. Life Insurance 5. Real Estate 6. Personal Property 7. Retirement Plans 8. Charitable Remainder Trusts 9. Charitable Lead Trusts 10. Retained life estates 11. Bargain Sale 12. Securities

 Two pieces should be considered: ◦ “A stand alone” brochure that can be used all the time ◦ Regular mailing (possibly newsletters) that can be used on a consistent basis- each with different messages  Effective pieces: ◦ Planned Giving Brochure ◦ Planned Giving Newsletter

 It will be important to invite people to come to the campus for some kind of event.  Sponsor a “Wills Seminar” free of charge or do some educational workshop on Charitable Remainder Trusts or on new tax laws.  The event will create a pool of prospects.

 Development- meaningful engagement of people.  A meaningful relationship must be established.