Instead of measuring planned-giving successes only after completed bequests, track the activities and milestones that make future legacy gifts more likely.
A long-term fundraising strategy should consider how your organization is building relationships with Millennials and Generation Z today, before they're thinking about their legacy.
August is recognized as Make-A-Will Month, offering nonprofit organizations a timely opportunity to encourage supporters to think not only about how they give today, but also about the legacy they hope to leave.
Donor-advised funds have become one of the fastest-growing charitable giving tools in the country, and chances are your organization already receives grants from them.
As you think about your own board, it may be worth asking not simply whether members are engaged, but whether they're equipped to help your organization succeed today and in the future.