UNITED WAY RETIREES ASSOCIATION

Endowment and Planned Giving

CONSULTING PROGRAM

 

 

EPG PROGRAM OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the UWRA Endowment and Planned Giving (EPG) Program is to match trained consultants who have extensive United Way backgrounds, with United Ways interested in beginning/strengthening an Endowment and Planned Giving (EPG) program. UWRA consultants will provide on-site and other assistance (phone/email contact) offering materials, counsel, guidance and support with the goal of establishing a thriving EPG program.

 

EPG PROGRAM DESIGN:

United Ways across the country are committed to diversifying resource development strategies, particularly in Major Gifts, Tocqueville, and Planned Giving.

 

The ultimate success of a Planned Giving program is the business case and the implementation of such programs as the Loyal Contributor Program (formerly known as the Diamond Donor Program), Direct Mail targeted to Seniors, Endowment development, and Transformation Gifts (i.e., funding operational and strategic expenses).

 

The UWRA EPG program process starts with a Planned Giving Feasibility study, designed to assist local United Ways start and sustain successful planned giving programs. It will be facilitated by an experienced United Way Retiree who will provide oversight and guidance to a core team set up by the local United Way.  The team is an ad hoc core team, Planned Giving Goals and Vision Team.

 

The core team meets as needed, depending on priorities and time to complete each phase.  Generally, it takes 3 to 6 months.  This study is the very foundation on which the planned giving program rests and quantifies issues like:

 

Why do you need it?

Will the donors support the program?

Will it compete with the annual campaign, partner agencies, the community foundation? How will funds be used? 

Where will they be invested?

How much will it cost?           

What obstacles do we anticipate?

How can these be addressed as we proceed?

 

The outcome is an initial design of a business case to quantify the need for a program and develop measurable goals and action plans to achieve best results.  The outcome is a clear and compelling case for a planned giving program that is developed by the core team and embraced by staff, volunteers, donors, financial professionals, and partner agencies in the community.

 

The process will involve an analysis of past resource development results, survey data, and Focus Groups.  An "action plan" is presented by the local United Way core team to its Board of Directors.

 

The ultimate success and community support for the business case is highly dependent on the commitment of the core team during the study.

 

EPG PROGRAM PROCESS:

 

Below outlines the selection of United Ways, how the process will work, activities that the LUW will be engaged in and materials that will be provided:

 

Ascertaining Readiness of United Way ( follows submission of application)

 

Readiness Materials provided:

1.      EPG Program Summary (includes duties of Ad Hoc team)

2.      Timeline

3.      Planned Giving Basics narrative handout

 

UW Tasks related to Selection:

1.      LUW representative goes over Program Summary and Timeline with staff, volunteers & Board.  Consultant is available to help walk them through determining readiness in terms of:

a.       Briefing on how the process will work

b.      Help them understand the work required and role of EPG Development AdHoc Team

2.      If positive outcome from above, initiation date is set and program begins.   

 

I.      Phase I, Planning and Data Gathering

 

Phase I Materials provided:

1.      Sample letters – invite to participate in survey and focus group

2.      On-Line Survey and Instructions relating to survey access, distribution & analyzation

3.      Spreadsheet involving analysis of past resource development results & projections

 

UW Tasks related to Phase I, Planning and Data Gathering:

  1. Develop an ad hoc Vision Team (task force – for instance: agency rep, professional advisor, Board member, volunteer—all advocates) who will assist the United Way in completing Phase I.  (Duties of team attached to this Program Summary.)
  2. Send letters to Board, donor base (at least 10% of donor base using a cross section of constituencies) and agencies, asking them to complete an on-line survey.
  3. Send letters to key persons asking them to participate in a focus group (preferably not those that completed the online questionnaire). Focus group is arranged to take place the first day of the Consultant’s visit.
  4. Complete the spreadsheet of the local United Way’s past resource development results – filling in the yellow boxes on the Master, then return to consultant.
  5. Prepare charts from spreadsheet data and questionnaire.
  6. Set date for site visit

 

 

II.      Phase II, Site Visit and Case Development

 

Phase II Materials provided:

1.      Two Suggested Agenda’s for On-Site

2.      Focus Group Questions

3.      Small Cities Brochure to Planned Giving

4.      3 PowerPoint’s

·        Planned Giving Basics with 62 slides including Planned Giving Overview, Planned Giving Vehicles, Why is Planned Giving Relevant & Crucial?? and Starting Your Own Planned Giving Program

·        Case Development Format & Notes with 18 slides, Case Development

·        Sample Board Presentation with 21 slides, Planned Giving Strategy

 

UW Tasks related to Phase II, Site Visit and Case Development:

Consultant visits LUW to meet local team and assist in process.    

1.      Day 1: 

·        Review Planned Giving Basics, process, & timing

·        Conduct focus groups

·        Consultant reviews financial charts with team

·        Consultant reviews/analyzes on-line survey & Focus group data with the team

·        Incorporate results into case statement

·        Begin preparation of Board presentation

 

2.      Day 2: 

·        Finalize the case/Board presentation

·        Formulate tactical workplan (18 mo) plan (endowment goals, budget, marketing plan).

·        Case Presentation to the Board

·        Board agrees to the plan and passes a resolution to set up an endowment program

 

3.      Within one month

·        LUW Team invites staff/survey participants to hear results

 

 

III.      Phase III, Implementation & Evaluation of Impact

1.      Consultant provides resources/tools to LUW as needed and conducts quarterly checkpoints.

 

2.      Optional:  Consultant returns after one year or as requested by LUW.

 

3.      Evaluation of Impact – LUW provides information to UWRA. For example:

·        Year 1 – Develop prospect list – set goals with # of prospects and assess where LUW is at end of year one. (also if received any pledges/gifts year 1 – how many?)

·        Year 2 – Calls made on top prospects – set goal on personal visits/calls and assess where LUW is at the end of year 2 (also if received any pledges/gifts if year 2 – how many?)

·        Year 3 – Pledges – set goal on pledges and see where LUW is at the end of year 3 (also if received any pledges/gifts if year 3 – how many?)

 

 

IMPORTANT ITEMS RELATED TO UWRA EPG ASSISTANCE

 

1.      The LUWs in this program pay for the expenses related to the on-site visit of the consultant (2-3 days) estimated to be in the range of $500 to $1500.  In several instances the LUW has arranged to have a portion of the expenses (e.g., hotel accommodations) donated. 

 

2.      The UWRA program takes the LUW through a Feasibility study process.  The UWRA Consultants provide a variety of materials and tools to assist the LUW.  Outcome:

·        Compelling Business Case developed by core team

·        Case embraced by staff, volunteers, financial professional, and partner agencies

·        Measurable Goals and Action Plan

 

3.      Success & Community Support for Business Case Highly Dependent on:

·        Having the time to put into the 3-6 month process – particularly time intensive in the first three months

·        Finding a champion in the community that can help you

·        Forming an Ad-hoc committee

·        Commitment of that Ad-Hoc Core Team During the Feasibility Study

 

 

Resources/Recommendations for United Ways

 

  1. Join the following UW listservs @  https://online.unitedway.org/site/forums/listserv.cfm
    1. UWPG-L: Planned Giving discussion list
    2. LoyalContributors-L: identifying, celebrating & cultivating Loyal Contributors

 

  1. Obtain a hard copy or download UWA EPG Toolkit – information, resources, sample letters, etc https://online.unitedway.org/site/soe/cafe/File.cfm?PPFID=606

 

  1. View the Planned Giving for Small City United Ways Webinar which describes the UWRA EPG process and resources available in UW system.  http://uwa.acrobat.com/p94116640/

 

  1. Visit the United Way Online Planned Giving Webpage for helpful information including sample marketing materials, Strategies Newsletter and more: http://online.unitedway.org/site/uwaservices/teampage.cfm?AID=26

 

  1. Planned Giving Webpage www.uwgift.org (put a link on your website)

 

  1. UWRA Consultant is assigned and main source of contact.  UWRA office is also available for support and assistance:

 

United Way Retirees Association

701 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA  22314-2045

Executive Director: Patricia R. Smith

Phone (800) 892-2757, ext. 624 or (703) 836-7100, ext. 624 Fax (703) 683-7838

E-Mail: tricia.smith@uwa.unitedway.org     Web Page: http://www.uwra.org

EPG Program Lead: UWRA Member Monica Estabrooke

 

Planned Giving Goals and Ad Hoc Vision Team

 

 

 

Specific Duties:

1.      Attend meetings (1-2 per month) for approximately 2-4 months

2.      Participate in a two-day onsite to help analyze historic United Way allocation and revenue information, project future allocation and revenue needs, and determine planned giving potential.  The session will be facilitated by a UWRA consultant.

3.      May be asked to interview key leaders as part of a planning study.

4.      Analyze comments from planning study.

5.      Develop and present results of the feasibility study and make recommendations to the Board.

6.      Make changes as appropriate

7.      Present results to all those who participated in the study

 

 

UNITED WAY RETIREES ASSOCIATION/UNITED WAY of AMERICA

Endowment and Planned Giving Application

For Small City United Ways

 

Program Objective: To match trained volunteers, who have extensive United Way backgrounds, with Small City (Metro 5-11) United Ways interested in beginning/strengthening an Endowment and Planned Giving (EPG) program. United Way Retirees Association volunteers will provide on-site and other assistance (phone/email contact) offering materials, counsel, guidance and support with the goal of establishing a thriving EPG program.

 

Requirements: Time commitment necessary to work with a UWRA volunteer to jumpstart your EPG program.  The type of assistance offered by volunteers will include guidance on what Small City United Ways can realistically expect to accomplish in the planned giving arena; case development; what to avoid; obstacles; how to identify top prospects, etc.   The local United Ways involved in this program are required to pay for and/or provide in-kind assistance for the volunteer’s travel expenses.

 

(Please download the form and fill it out.)

 

Your Name:                                               Title:       

 

United Way Name:                                   Metro Size:      

 

Address:                           

 

City:                                                           State:                     Zip:       

 

Phone:                                            Email:       

 

 

Please answer the following questions:

 

1.      How many staff members are employed by your United Way, not including you?       

 

2.      How many volunteers are actively involved with your United Way?       

 

3.      How many Board members does your United Way have?       

 

4.      What efforts to date, if any, has your United Way undertaken in the area of Endowment and Planned Giving?

No prior discussion

Board has talked about it

In goal statements but not actualized

A working Committee has been formed

Beginning stages of a Endowment and Planned Giving Program in place

Other – please describe      

 

5.      Do you have a leadership giving program? Yes   No

 

6.      Do you have a Tocqueville program? Yes           No

 

7.      Do you have other major or special gifts programs?  Yes            No

If Yes, please list giving amounts and give a brief explanation of the program.      

 

8.      Do you have an Endowment? Yes          No

If Yes, what is the size?      

 

9.      Briefly describe what you see as the greatest challenges facing an Endowment and Planned Giving program at your United Way:      

    

10.  Briefly describe your interest in and expectations from the UWRA EPG Program.

     

 

11.  Does your Board support your participation in the UWRA EPG Program? 

Yes    No

 

12.  Is your Board willing to approve paying for, and/or providing in-kind services, for a couple days of expenses (travel, meals, and accommodations) for an on-site UWRA volunteer?            Yes         No

 

13.  Additional Comments:      

 

 

 

Thank you for your interest.

Fax, email or mail your application to UWRA:

 

Tricia Smith

Executive Director

United Way Retirees Association

701 N. Fairfax Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

800-UWA-2757 x624

Fax: 703-683-7838

tricia.smith@uwa.unitedway.org