You love when this happens…
She was sitting at her desk when an envelope got dropped on her desk. 
As she sliced it open she gasped.
She grabbed it and ran to her colleague’s office to find out if she knew the person it was from.
Neither one of them knew.
But the $100,000 gift was welcomed at a time when cash was tight this last year and giving was down.
As it turns out, it was a gift from someone who decided years ago that a gift should be given from their estate.
Every development professional I know loves getting a planned gift, and are always grateful that someone in their position many years ago helped a donor decide about making the gift.
Warren Buffett captured this elation well when he said, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Every development professional, executive team, and board is making that choice today when they commit to planned giving.
They are making sure the next generation will be served through the ups and downs of the economic environment.
As you thank someone before you for the work they have done, someone after you will thank you for the work you have done.
Planned giving is the gift that keeps on giving!
This Valentine’s Day (and every day), love on your donors, and nurture your relationships with them.
Quote:
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
– Warren Buffett