A legacy society is a simple and tangible way to centralize your planned giving efforts. It’s a friendly, invitational way to encourage legacy gifts, centered around honoring people who have made the commitment to remember the church in their estate plans.
In a recent Wardens and Treasurers' Call with the Bishop, we laid out easy steps to help you get started on setting up your own Legacy Society. Click here for the recording or here for the slide deck.
A legacy society means you can thank legacy givers now, and it also means you have a much better chance of finding out that someone is going to make a legacy gift. Without a legacy society, they don’t really have a need to tell you.
Do you know that between 60 and 70% of Americans die without a will or other estate plan? A legacy society--and an annual gratitude event--can provide a helpful “nudge” to cut through a parishioner’s procrastination about estate planning and setting up legacy giving.
A legacy society also provides a way to thank people now for the generous gift of legacy. As we discussed in the presentation, the reality is that when someone puts you in their will or other estate plan, they have lifted you up to the level of family. We want to mark that generosity--which can inspire others to do the same.
Benefits to you of acting now to set up a Legacy Society:
- Financial Stability: Establishing a legacy society now sets the table for legacy giving, providing a consistent and stable source of income for the church.
- Community Engagement: Creating a legacy society fosters a sense of community and belonging among church members, as it encourages them to be actively involved in the church’s future.
- Honoring Generosity: A legacy society allows the church to express gratitude and honor those who have made a commitment to support the church’s mission for generations to come.
- Spiritual Fulfillment: Being part of a legacy society can provide spiritual fulfillment, knowing that one’s legacy will continue to support the church’s work and ministry long into the future.
- Legacy and Impact: Setting up a legacy society ensures that your impact extends beyond your lifetime, leaving a lasting legacy that positively influences future generations.
Intrigued? Want to talk through some ideas? Shoot me an email and we can talk about what a plan like this might look like at your church!
