Michael Rosen

Yes, Michael Rosen. I will certainly help spread the word to keep our children safe by sharing your blog that features: “The 10 Tips for Protecting the Children You Love from Sexual Abuse.” As a volunteer at our local Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County, I dedicate this reblog to them. They are quiet heroes among us helping keep children safer with prevention programs while supporting child victims. You can send an e-message of hope to a child victim here: 5000angels.com.

Michael Rosen Says...

There are many ugly problems in the world. For many of those troubles, we’re powerless to do much, if anything, to change the situation. Sadly, monsters are very real. 

I want to bring a heinous problem to your attention. But, fear not. I will also show you some very simple things that you can actually do about it. Oh, and it won’t cost you a cent.

Child sexual abuse is a nightmare affecting one in four girls and one in six boys in the United States, though it is a worldwide problem. It is a problem that knows no geographic, ethnic, racial, religious, or economic boundaries.

Fortunately, you can actually save a child, perhaps your own, from ever having to experience this terrible crime. Here’s what you can do:

First, read “The 10 Tips for Protecting the Children You Love from Sexual Abuse.”

Second, make this my most read…

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Thought-provoking research on charitable giving as seen through brain scan, and Michael Rosen’s take on the impact of this study on planned giving.

Michael Rosen Says...

An exciting new study from researchers at Texas Tech University used brain scans to garner fresh insight into charitable giving behavior. Specifically, the study looked at what motivates individuals to make a charitable bequest commitment as well as what de-motivates them. This is the first time that Magnetic Resonance Imaging has been used to examine charitable bequest decision making.

This blog post marks the first time that the breakthrough findings of the Texas Tech study have been released to the nonprofit development community. I am honored that Russell N. James, III, JD, PhD, CFP furnished me with a preview copy of his draft report, “Charitable Estate Planning as Visualized Autobiography: An fMRI Study of Its Neural Correlates.”  I thank James for providing me with the draft report and for allowing me to share it with you. I also want to recognize Michael W. O’Boyle, Ph.D. who co-authored the report.

While James has written a scientific…

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Is your charitable pie missing a slice? Part three

DSC03115It is time to plant your planned giving seeds.

Take measures now to ensure your donors know that planned gifts are not only welcome but encouraged. In your verbal, print and digital communications with donors and prospective planned givers, it is important to strike the right balance between their needs and your organization’s needs. Organization’s tend to focus too heavily on themselves and their case for support. To be sure, this is important; but we must never forget one thing: the donor.

Successful planned giving programs can be simple, especially in the start-up phase. Concentrate your early planned giving efforts on these three areas:

  1. Donor-focused communications
  2. Encouraging bequest gifts
  3. Networking with professional advisors

Over time, as your planned giving program matures, fold in more planned giving best practices.  A great resource for planned giving best practices to help you strengthen your new or mature planned giving program is Michael Rosen’s book Donor –Centered Planned Gift Marketing.

Not all planned giving gardeners are nonprofit employees or volunteers. It is  great to read a thoughtful article like the one from journalist Rachel Emma Silverman of the Wall Street Journal: How to Leave Money to Charity. She is helping to plant a wonderful garden of planned giving seeds.

Now, go plant your own planned giving seeds, and watch them grow! Over time, your organization will have a bountiful harvest and a complete charitable pie.

This is the third and final post in this series. Click here for part one and part two in this series.

Thoughts from the author of “Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing”

Donor Centered Gift Planning BookThree things “Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing” author Michael Rosen would be pleased for your nonprofit organization to do, especially during an uncertain economy:

  • Spend time with Donors.
  • Have a Compelling Case for Support.
  • Keep Asking.

I couldn’t agree more! You can read his thoughtful post “3 Ways for Nonprofits to Crash & Burn in Current Economy” here.

His “Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing” book is an excellent resource to help you identify your best planned giving prospects and inspire them to give more to the causes they care about most. The book is available on Amazon.