tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59888381674900367242012-02-09T16:11:17.487-05:00The hottest headlines in contemporary planned giving marketing strategies brought to you by your friends at Pentera.Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.comBlogger631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-39907232257697157842012-02-09T13:26:00.000-05:002012-02-09T16:09:15.577-05:00

Many successful businesses know the benefits of segmenting their marketing to cultivate consumers at a young age. Consider well-known companies such as McDonald’s, BMW, or even toothpaste manufacturers, who market specifically to a younger audience. The intended result:  Building brand loyalty at a young age and creating consumers for life. In 1999 Pentera pioneered life-stage marketing in the

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-78532365298035027672012-01-20T12:23:00.000-05:002012-02-09T16:11:17.497-05:00

Remember how great it was when caller ID first became available? Gone was the uncertainty as you answered the phone and waited to discover who was calling. This knowledge gave you power: The power to compose yourself and prepare for the conversation to follow.  Your e-mail tracking report is a robust tool that provides far more information than just “who’s calling.” And you can use this robust

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-52916685305379623822012-01-17T23:14:00.000-05:002012-01-18T00:13:52.474-05:00

Dear André, I have a donor who is asking if the benefit of reducing required minimum distributions in subsequent years would change if the markets rebounded in the future. What if his IRA made money? Would anything change? Thanks, Jeff Dear Jeff, The minimum required distribution is based on the value of the IRA on December 31 or the year prior to the year the required minimum distribution

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-33032384883314221892011-12-28T12:06:00.003-05:002011-12-28T14:20:13.773-05:00

After several clients sent us emails asking about the status of the IRA Rollover and whether it had been extended through February, Pentera confirmed that it has NOT been extended and WILL expire on December 31, 2011: The electronic version of the Chronicle, quoting another source, reported that the Charitable IRA Rollover, presumably along with other items that are annually extended, were

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-87330425166697239282011-12-22T15:30:00.004-05:002011-12-22T15:33:27.155-05:00

Dear André, The exchange of the gift of gold is complete. Now that that part of the transaction is complete, there seems to be some internal debate as to the type of gift and how to properly reflect it in the gift receipt letter. I would welcome your thoughts on closing this out. Lisa K. Dear Lisa, Your receipt should reflect and describe the asset that was given to your institution—in your

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-24656472073043366232011-12-22T15:28:00.002-05:002011-12-22T15:33:21.283-05:00

Dear André, There is a FLIP trust that holds a condo in Cape May, New Jersey. The property has been appraised but not sold. Can we issue an 8283 to the donor when the property is deeded into the trust, or should we wait and issue an 8282 when it is sold? Lisa F. Dear Lisa, Your note states that the flip trust "holds" a condo; that implies that the condo has already been transferred to the

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-12070140352030674992011-12-01T11:22:00.001-05:002011-12-14T15:02:41.902-05:00

Are You and Your Donors Speaking the Same Language?   In the planned giving field - like any specialized endeavor - there is often a lot of insider jargon. For internal communications, such lingo saves time because the meaning is commonly understood. But while certain words and phrases may be taken for granted in your planned giving office, they don’t necessarily make any sense to your

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-67031730911423916882011-11-28T18:12:00.001-05:002011-12-01T13:57:58.248-05:00

Gender matters. Women are not a niche audience. Women are the audience. Current research indicates that across income brackets, women are more likely to give to charity than men, and that women give more than men, nearly twice as much. Today, 59.9 percent of women are in the labor force. The proportion of working women with a college degree roughly tripled from 1970 to 2008, from 11 percent in

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-39894367057544142882011-11-18T12:56:00.001-05:002011-11-21T08:53:19.624-05:00

New Suggested Rate Schedules Effective January 1, 2012 Approved by the American Council on Gift Annuities on November 7, 2011 At its November 2011 meeting the Board of Directors of the American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA) approved a new recommended rate schedule for charitable gift annuities. The rate decrease announcement was posted to the ACGA's Web site on November 18, 2011. The rates

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-88691295666207149782011-10-24T15:50:00.001-04:002011-11-30T08:52:49.313-05:00

Marketing in the planned-giving field is not a “one size fits all” approach. On the contrary, when it comes to selecting charitable gift vehicles, your donors' ages, income, and values all come into play. Businesses don’t try to sell teenagers on the benefits of an anti-wrinkle cream; similarly, they don’t market skateboards to retired adults. The same is true for your organization’s

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-31753476440173019202011-10-04T15:34:00.000-04:002011-11-30T08:54:12.034-05:00

Times change. So must your approach to planned-giving marketing. Incorporating integrated marketing into your overall communication strategy is essential. What exactly is integrated marketing? And how does it apply to your planned-giving office? First, let’s look at what it’s not. Integrated marketing is not sticking with what worked in the planned-giving field 10 or 20 years ago and simply

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-62731559880357108712011-09-12T16:59:00.002-04:002011-11-30T08:56:23.363-05:00

At a recent week-long Pentera Planned Giving Seminar, participants learned about charitable annuities, remainder trusts, and other necessary tools of the trade. On the last day, one of the speakers - with over 30 years in the industry -  Peter J. Ticconi, spoke about the “Bowen theory,” a psychology term for maintaining a calm presence. What does that have to do with charitable planned giving?

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-72650155495774035422011-08-31T10:56:00.005-04:002011-08-31T14:01:16.452-04:00

Do you know your donors’ advisors? Do you offer technical information to the legal and financial community? Consider sharing the technical information you offer with a select group of your donors, and asking them if they think their own advisors would like to receive, or have access to, the information. Many planned gift arrangements – wills and trusts – are created by your donors and their

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-68575612826469816992011-07-21T11:23:00.009-04:002011-07-21T12:03:27.322-04:00

In marketing materials, visuals can make a huge impact on what gets read by your potential donors. Most people do not automatically read everything that comes their way—especially in the current “info” age. They read those materials that catch their interest and that they find engaging. But what a reader finds engaging (or not of interest) often occurs before they ever get to the text. So what

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-43506525188522682382011-07-07T16:26:00.006-04:002011-07-07T23:16:01.511-04:00

Your planned-giving marketing materials can be wonderful educational and motivational tools. They can provide potential donors with important tax updates, target specific audiences by life stage, and reflect your unique mission. But are your materials tugging at the right heartstrings? It’s important to customize your materials 100% by using your own photos and edits so that they truly resonate

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-42498894312369467082011-06-22T10:15:00.003-04:002011-06-22T10:25:58.200-04:00

People love giving their opinion. The only thing people like better than giving their opinion is knowing that the opinion that they give is valued. This truth is the key to getting your donors and prospects to read and keep your planned-giving newsletter. By including a survey in your newsletter, you are saying to your donors and prospects, “I value what you think and how you feel. I value your

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-84090236194387364542011-06-14T13:35:00.005-04:002011-06-14T13:42:18.968-04:00

Marketing for bequests is one of the most important aspects of your planned-giving program. It can educate donors about the benefits of planning for their future and motivate them to create their legacy at your organization. But is your messaging hitting the right mark? Research has shown that bequest donors’ motivations are different from annual fund donors’. Your bequest materials should still

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-19503255212041017332011-05-09T17:43:00.001-04:002011-05-17T14:01:19.674-04:00

At its April 2011 meeting the Board of Directors of the American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA) approved a new schedule of maximum charitable gift annuity rates. The rates are effective for gifts on or after July 1, 2011. Unlike the past several rate changes which tended to move either up or down in the same direction, the rates on the 2011 schedule trend in different directions for different

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-87589969672382780372011-05-05T20:38:00.003-04:002011-05-05T20:42:44.071-04:00

Your planned-giving Web site can be a valuable resource for your potential donors. It can educate them about the benefits of making a gift, inspire them through touching stories from other donors, and motivate them to leave their legacy by making a gift to your organization. But has the content on your Web site passed its expiration date? While your Pentera planned-giving Web site is continuously

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-12199538087894710852011-04-15T08:53:00.010-04:002011-04-20T13:32:56.665-04:00

When director of major and planned gifts Cherie Krug came on board at Frostburg State University two and half years ago, the school had a growing fundraising operation but had never really focused very heavily on offering planned-giving options to donors. Also, in the middle of a capital campaign, the need to get started was urgent.That’s when they decided to turn to respected industry leader

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-47823792576184321872011-04-06T09:14:00.010-04:002011-04-20T12:32:52.420-04:00

Your planned-giving Web site can be a wonderful tool to educate, motivate, and inspire your potential donors. It can provide them with information on the types of gifts they can make, help them analyze the best gift to suit their individual needs, and illustrate how gifts from other donors have made an impact on your organization. But what good is all of that information if it’s difficult for

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-14337392998910746732011-03-24T14:45:00.008-04:002011-03-24T15:42:52.334-04:00

All of us at Pentera would like to extend a warm welcome to Tom Fogarty and his team at Crotched Mountain as we work with them on their new integrated planned-giving marketing plan, including newsletters, postcards, and Web site.Throughout the years we've had the unique privilege of working with Crotched Mountain's vice president of development, Tom Fogarty, at the different institutions where

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-42384009643177643312011-03-16T09:11:00.009-04:002011-03-24T14:45:17.295-04:00

Your eNewsletter and other e-marketing products give you a unique opportunity to provide your donors with relevant and educational gift-planning information directly to their inboxes. It is convenient and effective, and the tracking reports provide valuable information about how your donors are receiving the content you're providing. But are you overloading your donors' inboxes with too many

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-21823440613827278032011-03-10T14:34:00.003-05:002011-03-10T14:46:46.072-05:00

The gradual phaseout of the federal estate tax begun in 2001 was modified and extended by Congress late in 2010. The amount that is exempt from tax per person has increased from $3.5 million in 2009 to $5 million in 2011 and 2012, and the top tax rate has been reduced from 45% to 35%. In addition to increasing the exemption amount, the new law introduced a new portability provision that

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-79457608215574040572011-03-02T16:27:00.007-05:002011-03-03T15:07:12.013-05:00

by Chandra Towers Blatt, Pentera Marketing Consultant, East Coast Mid-Atlantic Region1. Discover your donors, and cultivate the relationshipDiscover your donors’ likes and dislikes, and make mental (and written) notes. Then find a common bond, and form your connection. The more connections you make with your donors, the more at ease you and your donors will feel.2. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T—find out what it

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-20583210241589989112011-02-14T10:50:00.005-05:002011-02-15T10:04:49.598-05:00

Your planned-giving Web site is a valuable tool in the education of your potential donors. It can provide them with information on the different types of gifts they can make and help them analyze the best gifts to suit their individual needs. But with all the information your site provides, does it answer the most important question: Why should your potential donors make a gift? Your

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-43204078279200650572011-02-07T16:32:00.005-05:002011-02-07T16:39:21.729-05:00

The postcard is a key cog in any successful planned giving marketing campaign. Its swift production time, cost-effectiveness, and immediacy makes it an ideal candidate for getting important or time-sensitive information out to your mailing list quickly and in a way that promotes prompt response or action. However, simply “doing a postcard” may not be quite enough when it comes to results.

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-34222115232991030642011-01-14T11:29:00.009-05:002011-01-17T16:33:49.588-05:00

By Chandra Towers Blatt, Pentera Marketing Consultant, East Coast Mid-Atlantic RegionWhen a donor dies, you will experience a variety of feelings based on your relationship with the donor and the donor’s relationship with your organization. One of the best ways to respect and honor your donor’s memory is to provide support to his or her family after death. This special "posthumous stewardship"

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-72083645474332221242011-01-06T15:53:00.010-05:002011-01-06T16:28:56.710-05:00

Your planned-giving Web site is a valuable tool for your potential donors. It educates them about the various gifts they can make and demonstrates how those gifts can support your organization while meeting their individual goals. But is the information you're providing actually getting through to them?It's a well-known fact that Web users have short attention spans. So, following best practices

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-23260503373759270982010-12-28T14:46:00.017-05:002010-12-28T15:05:27.028-05:00

Each new year brings with it a fresh start, new challenges and, of course, new opportunities to engage your donors. Planning your 2011 marketing strategy offers you the perfect opportunity to analyze your donor’s interests and the upcoming events that will play a role in their lives and find fresh, new ways to engage them. As you’re developing that strategy, remember that including planned-giving

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-8983499559878097342010-12-17T16:35:00.005-05:002011-01-18T09:41:24.359-05:00

Congress has taken the following important and favorable actions with respect to the popular tax-free IRA Charitable Rollover that allows taxpayers 70 ½ and older to make direct tax-free transfers to charity from a qualified individual retirement account:•Extends the option for making tax-free transfers to charity to December 31, 2011. •Allows transfers to charity made in January of 2011 to be

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-44509520012693888792010-12-10T14:59:00.006-05:002010-12-10T15:48:56.253-05:00

The markets are up—what does that mean for your endowment? Has it recovered from hitting bottom in 2009? Is it still gaining lost ground?If your endowment is doing well or is on the mend, reporting that news to donors can give them confidence in your ability to manage the gifts they entrusted to your endowment. In such a report to donors and prospects, you could explain the market crash’s effect

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-7628516998253056702010-12-01T15:27:00.010-05:002010-12-01T16:28:40.835-05:00

With the end of 2010 quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to review and analyze your marketing strategy to ensure that your 2011 marketing plan is as effective as possible. While each of your marketing pieces, from planned-giving postcards to eNewsletters, has its own message and purpose, they also work together as a part of your overall integrated marketing campaign. But are you

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-61272615986006072512010-11-18T11:22:00.012-05:002010-11-18T13:17:00.264-05:00

All of us at Pentera would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to our friends at Culver Academies, who just won two Case V awards!Culver, a Pentera client, received the Gold Award for the Best Program in Planned Giving and the Silver Award for Best Practices in Fundraising and Development. Both awards recognize Culver’s recent Batten Leadership Challenge, a $50 million gift-matching

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-64176787628841746652010-11-11T08:00:00.001-05:002010-11-11T20:32:38.809-05:00

Pentera would like to extend a warm welcome to Sarah Lawrence College as we begin working with them to develop their new planned giving Web site, as well as a comprehensive integrated marketing campaign, including print newsletters, postcards, eNewsletters, and print advertisements.With a diverse student body and a strong reputation for its rigorous academic standards, Sarah Lawrence College has

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-15596431001669335492010-11-01T15:36:00.008-04:002010-11-01T15:54:57.300-04:00

Your planned giving Web site offers your potential donors a wealth of information. It illustrates the ways that a potential donor can make a gift, demonstrates how those gifts can help support the mission and future of your organization, and allows your viewers to explore the best options for their situations. But what impact can that Web site have if no one can find it? While the content, design

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-42915343307273057722010-10-25T12:38:00.016-04:002011-01-17T16:34:39.176-05:00

Your organization's Web site can be a valuable tool to educate, motivate and, most important, communicate with your donors about how they can make a gift to your organization and support your mission. Recently, more and more organizations are also using their planned giving Web sites as a simple, convenient tool for donors to submit gifts online.But what drives a donor to make a gift through your

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-28974096353291331462010-10-15T19:48:00.011-04:002010-10-18T11:31:52.886-04:00

AppointmentClaudine A. Donikian, JD, MBA, was formally named the new president of nationally renowned full-service planned giving marketing communications firm Pentera, Inc. in early October.She was appointed leader of the 35-year-old company by André R. Donikian, JD, who now moves into the role of chairman and founder, where he will continue with his consulting, extensive speaking engagements,

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-59471147549946401452010-10-07T10:21:00.007-04:002010-10-07T14:37:41.211-04:00

How many times have you visited a Web site only to quickly leave after realizing it's not what you're looking for? Even though you may not have been on that Web site for more than 10 seconds, your visit is still tracked within the site's analytics possibly distorting how the site's traffic is perceived. So how can you weed out those accidental visitors? By tracking the number of visitors who

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-77603534668281305492010-09-27T16:45:00.008-04:002010-10-15T19:46:37.589-04:00

For an article about how political tax debates might influence year-end giving, this month's Chronicle of Philanthropy turned to several experts—including André R. Donikian, JD, president and editor-in-chief of Pentera. André told the Chronicle he's recommending that some affluent donors who make gifts of cash or other property every year establish a donor-advised fund in 2010. Many donors may

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-25569443584164287602010-09-17T08:54:00.009-04:002010-09-23T23:19:26.234-04:00

Your planned giving home page is your first, and sometimes your only, opportunity to capture the attention of your potential donors. It's an opportunity to briefly introduce your institution's mission, and most important provide your visitors with options to navigate the rest of your site. Your planned giving home page should essentially operate like a road map, designed to easily guide your

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-69665525343194384042010-09-08T15:12:00.009-04:002010-10-04T15:18:24.945-04:00

How do you measure the success of your planned giving marketing program? By the number of reply cards you receive? By the number of phone calls or e-mails that follow your planned giving newsletter or postcard mailing? In an increasingly online world, more and more potential donors are using the internet to research their options. This means that your potential donors are going to your planned

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-14510367875515951972010-09-01T12:32:00.009-04:002010-09-01T13:48:03.068-04:00

Your planned giving newsletter is a valuable platform to educate, motivate, and connect with your potential donors. It offers you a unique opportunity to provide prospects with engaging stories about other donors who have chosen to support your organization and allows you to illustrate the best ways for potential donors to make gifts that are relevant to their situation. While the information in

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-57627735397785896492010-08-17T15:53:00.017-04:002010-09-02T08:39:55.278-04:00

All of us at Pentera would like to extend a warm welcome to Cornell University as we partner with them to develop their new fully customized planned giving Web site and add our robust e-mail offerings to their marketing plan.The communications and planned giving departments at Cornell chose Pentera for several reasons. First, Cornell chose Pentera for our competitive and sophisticated integrated,

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-22510259311773933842010-08-10T14:06:00.009-04:002010-08-17T15:40:55.051-04:00

If you lived through the '70s, '80s, or '90s, chances are you've seen the following scenario depicted in television shows and movies multiple times: a teenager sits by the phone, waiting for someone to call, agonizing over when it would happen, and hoping that by concentrating hard enough, he or she can will the phone to ring.While your donors are probably not sitting by the phone (or their

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-21614661549921896282010-08-04T12:09:00.015-04:002010-08-13T12:42:03.872-04:00

Your eNewsletter, as a part of your integrated marketing campaign, can offer you the opportunity to increase your response rate; better understand your potential donors; and engage a new, innovative audience of younger, more tech-savvy prospects. But as with any marketing piece there are rules that govern how it should and should not be used, designed, and delivered.Follow these 4 simple rules to

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-91376768064104289752010-07-23T14:35:00.006-04:002010-07-23T14:46:17.002-04:00

by André R. Donikian, JD, president, editor in chiefThe tax extenders that included, among other items, an extension of the IRA Tax-Free Rollover provision have been stripped from H.R. 111-4213, the "Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010.” The Act was signed into law on Thursday, July 22, 2010, but unfortunately without the much-anticipated IRA Rollover provision.

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-36942883426884743072010-07-21T10:23:00.020-04:002010-07-23T14:35:50.701-04:00

by Mary Scheller, marketing associate, integrated marketing departmentYear end is here, and if you are like most charitable organizations, you are in the midst of planning your marketing campaign to promote the planned giving options so many donors take advantage of late in the year.Here are 4 tips you will need to have a successful year-end campaign:Include new and relevant year-end topics. By

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-76449740049173983242010-07-14T08:11:00.014-04:002010-07-21T11:56:51.057-04:00

by Nancy Maraldo, Vice President, Client ServicesRemember how great it was when Caller ID first became available? Gone was the uncertainty as you answered the phone and waited to discover who was calling. This knowledge gave you power: The power to compose yourself and prepare for the conversation to follow.Your e-mail tracking report is a robust tool that provides far more information than just

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-51308157212151640292010-07-07T12:14:00.003-04:002010-07-21T11:57:07.559-04:00

by Claudine A. Donikian,JD, MBA, Vice President, Integrated MarketingPentera,Inc. would like to extend a warm welcome to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF as we partner with them to develop their new planned giving Web site. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s humanitarian work around the world through fundraising, advocacy, and education. They chose to partner with Pentera because of the level of

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-81159676815592152472010-07-01T07:58:00.006-04:002010-07-01T08:39:09.503-04:00

by Leila Wheeler, Marketing Associate, Integrated Marketing DepartmentPlanned giving newsletters, postcards, eNewsletters, and even your planned giving Web site each offer a unique platform to speak to and engage your potential donors. The use of informative content, touching donor stories, and captivating images in those pieces increases your chances of gaining the attention of those donors. But

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-76348331168990668762010-06-21T12:38:00.000-04:002010-06-22T09:07:16.487-04:00

by James Brandt, Planned Giving Specialist, Integrated Marketing DepartmentMid-June 2010 and still no action on the bill that includes an extension of the IRA rollover. Twice last week the senate failed to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Even if the senate were to pass their version of the bill, reconciliation and compromise would further delay consideration of a final bill.There seems to

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-31999694223169816752010-06-21T11:29:00.000-04:002010-06-22T08:32:52.398-04:00

by James Brandt, Planned Giving Specialist, Integrated Marketing DepartmentGift annuities using the newly adopted (effective July 1, 2010) and slightly higher annuity rates qualify for a charitable deduction when the charitable midterm federal rate (CMFR) is 3.2% or higher. With the July CMFR falling to 2.8% gift annuities at some younger ages won’t qualify. A one-life gift annuity for a 52-

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-65671874766009529042010-06-15T13:34:00.000-04:002010-06-15T14:38:17.809-04:00

With Pentera’s social networking pages, it’s now easier and more convenient than ever to stay up to date about everything we have to offer. From as-it-happens tax legislation updates to new product announcements and special social networking-only offers, it pays to connect with Pentera. Where you can find us:Pentera's PG Buzz blog. Remember to check back on this blog for the hottest headlines in

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by Chandra Towers Blatt, Gift Planning Marketing ConsultantNo, I’m not referring to the famous episode of Seinfeld! I’m referring to ways to get your donors and prospects to actually read and keep your planned giving newsletter. As mentioned in Gypsy… “You Gotta Get a Gimmick!” My gimmick for this article was the first sentence of this paragraph. It hooked you in, right? A fabulous gimmick for a

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-48375595277961188722010-05-26T12:08:00.000-04:002010-05-26T12:32:07.277-04:00

by Leila A. Wheeler, Marketing Associate, Integrated Marketing DepartmentDonor stories have the ability to inspire, motivate, and move potential donors. They can take an informative marketing piece, such as a planned giving newsletter or a postcard, and bring it to life by giving it something extra—a personal touch. Does your Web site have that same personal touch? Because these personal giving

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-77316257189413965062010-05-21T10:03:00.000-04:002010-05-21T16:39:25.611-04:00

by Douglas A. Weaver, CFP, Vice President, Business DevelopmentThe most cost-effective means of marketing your planned giving program with the greatest success looks like a pyramid:The base of the pyramid is a large, broad audience of general prospects who have not given much (or perhaps anything) at this point. For example, this group might include sporadic annual-fund givers. You reach out to

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-8344763141523413492010-04-30T13:58:00.000-04:002010-06-21T09:36:18.586-04:00

by James Brandt, Planned Giving Specialist, Integrated Marketing DepartmentOn April 28, 2010, the board of directors of the American Council on Gift Annuities approved a new schedule of gift annuity rates that will take effect on July 1, 2010. Both one-life and two-life rates for individuals between the ages of 55 and 85 will be generally 0.1 – 0.2 percent higher.Immediate-payment gift annuities

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-77737138907815698082010-04-27T10:01:00.000-04:002010-05-21T16:40:15.248-04:00

by Sara Hildreth, Associate Vice President, Integrated MarketingYou’ve been working hard to follow best practices in planned giving marketing. Your planned giving newsletter goes out 3 times a year, Pentera frequently posts fresh donor stories to your Web site, and you send out timely planned giving postcards when a hot topic comes up.So where are your responses?Be sure you check out your monthly

Pentera, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02299898877095790060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988838167490036724.post-31619688566173980812010-04-14T13:43:00.000-04:002010-05-21T16:40:58.983-04:00

by Claudine A. Donikian, JD, MBA, Vice President, Integrated MarketingSome would say writing is an art. But is that all it is? Volumes have been written on the strategic use of words in marketing communications, and a lot of research and testing has been done to find out what works and what doesn’t in direct marketing. What is compelling? Motivational? Engaging? What increases response? There

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by André R. Donikian, JD, President and Editor in ChiefCongress left Washington in December without extending the federal estate tax (FET). Result: There is no FET in 2010, at least perhaps not until Congress tackles this politically charged hot potato this year. And the talk is that when they do, they will make the law retroactive to January 1 to capture taxes from all those who died and who

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by Leila A. Wheeler, Marketing Associate, Integrated Marketing DepartmentYour planned giving newsletter gives your prospective donors a lot of information. It increases donor awareness about your planned giving program, provides relevant information on opportunities to give, and even offers personal, touching stories from other donors. It talks to them.But how much is your newsletter talking to

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by Claudine A. Donikian, JD, MBA, Vice President, Integrated MarketingI know it’s really hard right now because some planned giving departments have had their budgets cut. So I think it’s important to answer this question on a theoretical level, as well as on a practical level. The theoretical or “best practice” answer might sound a bit counterintuitive, and maybe even ludicrous: it is a

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