And Why
The excitement was palpable. We had just started the silent phase of a large comprehensive campaign and I was looking forward to a first gift to jumpstart everything.
Sitting in my office that day, I was looking at the group of donors that we would be approaching in the next few weeks. The phone rang and one of our recurring donors let us know her father passed away the day before.
After talking for a few minutes about how she and her family were doing, the donor mentioned that her father had left a gift in his will to us. My face of concern turned into a smile quickly. This could be the gift that we needed!
My hopes were dashed immediately when she mentioned that his vacation timeshare was the gift in his estate to my organization. Our gift acceptance policy, which was updated a few weeks before, did not allow us to accept a gift of a timeshare.
In doing the research on gifts that we would accept, we realized the maintenance costs of the timeshare was not an expense we wanted to incur. Also, we had no idea what we would do with it even if we could afford the maintenance fees! In our discussion with timeshare brokers, they suggested we not take a gift of a timeshare but encourage the family to give it back to the company that owned the property.
The family was gracious when I explained that by policy we could not accept this gift. They were thankful to know what to do with the timeshare and immediately called the property to give it back. They continued to give to the organization for many years after that.
My hopes for a surprise lead gift were dashed, But in the end, we avoided an expense and helped the family in the process.
Not all gifts can, nor should be, accepted.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are becoming one of the fastest-growing forms of giving in the United States. As millions of Americans age into eligibility and retirement assets remain at historically high levels, 2026 is shaping up to be a breakout year for nonprofits that understand how to build a modern QCD strategy.
Planned giving isn’t only about money, it’s about meaning. When you frame the conversation around values, legacy, and impact, donors feel invited rather than pressured.
A planned giving conversation isn’t something you rush into. It’s a moment of trust, timing, and emotional readiness, and when you recognize the signals, the conversation becomes far more natural and meaningful for both you and the donor. Below is an exploration of the cues that tell you a donor may be ready to talk about legacy gifts, along with some practical guidance to help you approach the moment with confidence and care.
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