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👋 Welcome, Planned Giving Officers

Your work is rooted in trust, timing, and generosity that spans lifetimes. As a Planned Giving Officer, you help donors express their deepest values through legacy gifts—whether through bequests, retirement plans, or other thoughtful arrangements. This is not quick-turn fundraising. It’s long-term, deeply personal, and built on education, patience, and clarity. Momentum can help you manage that complexity—keeping your prospects organized, your communications clear, and your stewardship warm and consistent. You’re not just managing gifts—you’re guiding legacies.

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💼 What You Do

You qualify potential planned giving prospects, educate donors on giving options, and steward those who’ve made commitments—often over many years. You’re equal parts teacher, listener, and guide.

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🎯 Core Goals & Responsibilities

  • Identify and qualify legacy prospects.
    Example: Flagging long-time, consistent donors over 65 for outreach.
  • Educate donors on planned giving vehicles and benefits.
    Example: Sharing a simple explanation of bequests or QCDs in plain language.
  • Build long-term relationships rooted in trust.
    Example: Keeping in touch with a legacy donor each year with a personal note.
  • Steward confirmed planned giving donors.
    Example: Including them in a legacy society and sending impact updates annually.

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📊 What Success Looks Like

You’re successful when:
  • More donors are aware of and interested in legacy giving
  • Qualified prospects are engaged in ongoing conversations
  • Confirmed planned gifts are documented clearly
  • Legacy donors feel seen, appreciated, and connected to your mission
Key Metrics to Track:
  • Number (#) of qualified prospects added per quarter
  • Number (#) of confirmed planned gifts
  • % of prospects with a Next Step
  • Stewardship touches for legacy society members

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🛠 How to Use Momentum for Your Role

Tags to Use:
  • Legacy Prospect
  • Legacy Confirmed
  • Over Age 65
  • Loyal Donor 5+ Years
  • Education Needed
Suggested Segments:
  • Long-term donors with consistent giving history
  • Donors age 65+ with no legacy tag
  • Prospects with interest expressed, no commitment yet
  • Legacy society members with no recent contact
Pinned Views:
  • “Top Planned Giving Prospects”
  • “Legacy Commitments – Stewardship Due”
  • “No Contact – Over 90 Days”
  • “Prospects by Giving Consistency”
Templates to Set Up:
  • Educational email about bequests or estate planning
  • Meeting invitation or “I’d love to learn your story” message
  • Stewardship thank-you for legacy donors
  • Newsletter-style updates with soft legacy reminder

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🧬 Collaboration Style

You often work closely with major gifts, annual fund, and leadership to share context or transition donor conversations. You may also partner with legal or finance staff when documenting commitments. Your communication style is:
  • Trust-building and values-based
  • Clear and simple (especially with technical content)
  • Focused on appreciation, legacy, and lasting impact

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🗓 Legacy Engagement Cadence

  • Monthly: Qualify and tag potential new legacy prospects
  • Quarterly: Reach out to top prospects for 1:1 or educational touches
  • Annually: Steward every legacy donor with a personal touch
  • As needed: Coordinate documentation or referrals from gift officers
Last modified on May 21, 2026