Nonprofits and the Coronavirus

How teams can continue to fundraise during a pandemic

The World Health Organization has officially declared that Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a global pandemic. The virus is causing daily life to rapidly shift for many Americans — especially older Americans. As cases continue to rise and social distancing is put into greater effect, many planned and major giving teams are facing new decisions on how to continue their important work.

 

From tips on how to be more kind and safe when speaking to donors to how teams can work better together from home, here is everything your nonprofit needs to know to be effective during this turbulent moment.

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Marketing resources

How to convince your organization to invest in planned giving

Need help convincing your boss and board on the importance of planned giving? Download our fact sheet on why planned giving is critical to your organization’s fundraising growth.

→ Download fact sheet
How to write effective emails: Tips & examples

Now more than ever, good writing matters for nonprofits. To help you write more effectively, we've created a guide with our top writing tips as well as example emails from successful nonprofits.

→ Download guide
2020 Planned Giving Report

Between the biggest wealth transfer in human history and the effects of a global pandemic, nonprofits have an unprecedented opportunity to grow planned gifts. In preparation, we've prepared one of the most in-depth reports ever created on the biggest trends of legacy giving.

→ Download report
Your ultimate guide to end-of-year giving

More than one-third of all charitable giving occurs during the holiday season. Our guide will help planned and major giving professionals tap into key trends to fundraise effectively during this crucial time of year — and in a year unlike any other.

→ Download guide
Diversity stats template: Understand & track diversity at your organization

After holding a webinar on how to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at nonprofits, we shared a template we are using to calculate diversity percentages and measure progress at our own company.

→ Download template
Virtual fundraising events: Sample run of show for nonprofits

Many organizations are rethinking their big in-person fundraising events for 2020. With Perry Davis Associates, we've put together a sample run of show to help nonprofits to move their events to a virtual platform.

→ Read more
Stocks phone script: The benefits of stock giving

There are many benefits of giving stock — even during a down market. Explore how stock giving can help, and then download our phone script to see how you can speak to your donors about the mutual benefits of stock giving.

→ Download script
Survey template: How to effectively survey your supporters

Understand your supporters and what they need better with our survey and email template for nonprofit professionals. Whether generating leads or identifying giving readiness, surveys are an important tool for connecting with supporters at the right time.

→ Download template
Strategy memo: Investing in planned giving in 2020

Convince your colleagues of the importance of investing in planned giving this year with our pre-made strategy deck. This deck explains how smart nonprofits can be kind, thoughtful, and enormously effective in this moment.

→ Download deck
Trivia deck template: Host a fun trivia night with your supporters

Download our trivia deck to host your own trivia night. The deck includes trivia questions, slides to thank sponsors, donors, staff, etc, and direction on including your organization's important work as well as offering ways to get involved.

→ Download deck
Email marketing templates: Donor outreach during a crisis

Explore our email marketing templates for examples of how nonprofit professionals can navigate speaking to donors about giving during a crisis. 

→ Download templates
Sample phone transcripts: Speaking with donors during a crisis

These sample phone call transcripts are designed to help nonprofit professionals build donor and prospect relationships during difficult times for major and planned giving.

→ Download scripts

Conversations with the experts

Tips & strategies

Planned giving: A complete guide to legacy programs

Now, more than ever, nonprofits should invest in planned giving, cultivating supporters, and making it easy for donors to leave bequests.

→ Read more
Our 7 favorite examples of nonprofits engaging with supporters

Nonprofits are continuing to engage their supporters and fundraise in powerful ways despite uncertain times.

→ Read more
FAQs: Nonprofits and COVID-19

We've gathered our best answers to the most commonly asked questions by nonprofits during the time of Coronavirus.

→ Read more
How to get a forgivable loan for your nonprofit under the CARES act

Learn how nonprofits can navigate the loans made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. 

→ Read more
Strategy memo: QCDs in light of the CARES Act

While the CARES Act waives RMDs this year, your organization can still be massively effective by marketing QCDs and the associated tax benefits.

→ Read more
Recommendations for speaking to donors during a pandemic

Find out how your organization can be thoughtful and sensitive to your donors’ needs while still continuing to generate funds for your mission.

→ Read more
3 tips to be effective with Planned Giving on #GivingTuesdayNow

Savvy nonprofits are including planned giving in their outreach for #GivingTuesdayNow, and are likely to be even more effective than their peers.

→ Read more
5 tips for working from home

At home, it can be easy to get distracted and become less productive unless you set yourself up for success by sticking to good habits and routines.

→ Read more
FreeWill webinar survey data

Before and after our webinars, we surveyed participants to take a pulse check on how the community is managing this turbulent time. Now, we've analyzed the data and pulled out the key insights.

→ Read more
Safety tips to share with donors

Here at FreeWill, we are always thinking about cost-conscious ways to protect those we love. Here are a few ideas you can share with your donors to help them protect themselves and those they care about.

→ Read more

More than $4B raised in bequests

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Copyright © 2023 FreeWill Co., a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation. All rights reserved. FreeWill offers online self-help solutions for common estate planning needs and related educational content. Estate planning may implicate both state and federal laws, and estate planning needs will differ based on personal circumstance and applicable law. FreeWill is not a law firm and its services are not substitutes for an attorney’s advice. The information here is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be construed as providing legal or tax advice. This information is general in nature and is not intended to serve as the primary or sole basis for investment or tax-planning decisions. Use of FreeWill’s services is subject to the Terms of Service & Privacy Notice.

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