When I wore my hat as a fundraiser, I found that using personal
"testimonials" worked very well for planned giving.  Approach a member
of your board or just a good friend of the institution about being the
first.  Then ask them to pen a short testimonial as to why they did it,
why the institution is so important to them, and why planned giving is
one of the most financially "painful" gifts you can make.  Then use this
in letters that you can send out to other prospects--preferably ones the
director or board members know.  Get them to sign the letters and add
personal notes.  Trust me, it works.  You can also use this in
newsletters too as a way of launching your campaign.

Good luck!

Chris Cascio
Pottsgrove Manor historic site
Pottstown, PA

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Joy Summar-Smith
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 3:43 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Planned Giving Letter

The Dr Pepper Museum is interested in starting a planned giving program.
We 
want to put together a letter to our membership and other donors asking
them 
to think about us in the their planned giving.  Does anyone have a
letter like 
this already?  Just a generic letter maybe listing the ways to give and 
appropriate wording to get them thinking with their financial people.
Please 
respond to me at [log in to unmask]  Thanks!

Joy Summar-Smith
Dir. of Interpretation
Dr Pepper Museum
300 S. 5th St
Waco, TX 76701
254-757-1025
www.drpeppermuseum.com

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