FreeWill | Stewardship Resource Hub

The basics

What is donor stewardship?

Your relationships with donors need attention and care in order to thrive and endure. It's essential you thank and recognize donors for their ongoing support.

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How to make a stewardship plan

With many potential touchpoints to engage your donors and keep your mission on their minds, it helps to have a plan.

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How to start a legacy society

A legacy society can be a powerful tool for improving planned gift donor recognition and stewardship. It can also be leveraged in your planned giving marketing.

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Stewardship Guide

Stewardship trainings

Planned Giving Stewardship

What are the most effective ways to thank, recognize, and steward your planned giving donors? Learn the basics in this on-demand training course.

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Smart Giving Stewardship

Smart gift donors deserve thoughtful stewardship. Watch this on-demand training to learn the basics of creating a stewardship plan.

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Steward your FreeWill users & donors

How to steward your FreeWill legacy donors

Supercharge your planned gift donor stewardship with insights about your FreeWill legacy donors that can (and should!) inform your followup.

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Named Donor Stewardship (PGS)

FreeWill's Named Donor Stewardship feature (part of Auto-Stewardship) ensures your new planned gift donors receive timely follow-up and acknowledgment of their commitment. Learn more here.

→ Explore the resources

Automated Anonymous Donor Stewardship (PGS)

FreeWill's Anonymous Donor Stewardship feature (part of Auto-Stewardship) allows you to share a message of thanks with those who use your FreeWill tool to write an estate plan but don't share their name or contact info.

→ Implementation guide

Stewarding your estate plan only users (PGS)

It's wise to engage every supporter who uses your FreeWill estate planning tool — including those who haven’t left a gift (yet). Read on for info on Estate Plan Only Users and our recommendations to build relationships with this important group.

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Understanding anonymous & non-responsive donors

Anonymous and non-responsive legacy donors aren't unique to FreeWill—they're a normal part of any planned giving program. The good news is with FreeWill, you enjoy rare visibility into anonymous commitments. Learn more in this short video.

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What to do when a legacy donor passes away

When a legacy donor passes away, steps should be taken to express condolences and facilitate ongoing communication with the executor and the family while the estate is in probate. This article guides you through the process.

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Find changes to your gifts in Portal

It's normal for an estate plan to change over time, as one's situation evolves. To assist with your record-keeping, FreeWill spotlights changes to legacy gifts in your Partner Portal.

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Boost legacy donor response rates

FreeWill helps you build a planned giving pipeline and secure new gift commitments. Explore these tips for connecting efficiently and effectively with new legacy donors.

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Make the most of small bequests

A new gift commitment doesn't have to be huge now to make a big difference down the road. Smaller bequest gifts are worth celebrating!

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A guide to contingent bequests

We've assembled everything you need to know about contingent bequests and their potential impact on your nonprofit.

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Connect with your FreeWill donors

One-click stewardship for legacy gifts

With one click, you can now draft personalized thank you letters for your FreeWill planned gift donors in seconds. Talk about a time-saver! Learn more here.

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Email & text templates, and call scripts (legacy gifts)

With A/B tested language, our customizable email templates help you contact planned gift donors at key milestones. With a 98% open rate, text messaging can increase donor response.

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Stock stewardship guide

These customizable templates make it easy for you to followup efficiently and effectively with your FreeWill stock donors and/or their financial advisors.

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