We are introducing Flexible Planned Giving initially to donors through their advisers, because we believe it will benefit advisers as much as their clients. Here’s why:

  1. It helps advisers add value to their clients by supporting client’s giving decision so as to have the greatest possible impact for clients, and at the same time helps deepen the adviser-client relationship.
  2. It requires little time and risk on adviser’s part, as advisers don’t recommend charities… it’s the client’s choice, and Invest2Donate can help clients make their choice.
  3. It allows advisers to have deep value discussions in areas the client sees as important.
  4. Philanthropy is growing in importance to clients and Flexible Planned Giving creates a giving framework for clients below the level of PAFs.

It helps advisers distinguish themselves, maintain margins, and create that all-important “dinner party talk” that often generates referrals.

OUR VALUE PROPOSITION:

Invest2Donate has an idea that will change the way people give to charity.

For

High-Net-Worth clients ( i.e. $2m + of investable assets…but excluding PAF clients)

Who

  • Are frustrated with the number of cold calls they get requesting donations;
  • Want to have high-impact when giving and are unhappy with the high costs involved in this kind of fundraising (on average … 40% of donations)

 

The idea

Is a DONATION PLANNER TOOL that helps donors plan ahead and give regularly and even help select

That

Advisors can share & discuss with clients in a safe & general way

Unlike

The old way to give that pressure instant decisions & involve high costs

The solution is called Flexible Planned Giving, and the Invest2Donate website has clear information & resources clients can use to find & decide who & where to give, as well as all the support & information Advisers need to introduce it to clients.

 

Below you can explore:

  • ADVISOR FAQs
  • WAYS THAT MAKE IT EASY TO CONVEY FLEXIBLE PLANNED GIVING TO CLIENTS
  • THE TYPES OF CLIENTS MOST LIKELY TO BE ATTRACTED TO THE CONCEPT and
  • THE 4 STEPS ADVISERS NEED TO FOLLOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

ADVISER FAQs

Who’s Funding INVEST2DONATE, and is there any profit to anyone?

INVEST2DONATE is fully funded from private and corporate sponsorship primarily from the Financial Services Sector.

It is a non-profit and there is no profit for any person or entity.

What Exactly is Required of me?

INVEST2DONATE not only makes it easy for donors, but also makes it easy for Advisers. Adding to the already high pressure and workload of modern-day adviser is not an option. We aim to provide all the information you or your client might need about us and our concept on our website. You need merely be aware of us, our concept and our website so, as appropriate, you can introduce your clients to the Flexible Planned Giving concept. It is easy to grasp, straightforward and fully transparent. Also, our website has a separate section for Advisers containing all the help you or your assistant may require.

What support and resources are available for me?

Our website contains:

  • a full explanation of this new way of giving;
  • FAQs from both Advisers and Donors;
  • Our Flexible Planned Giving Guide;
  • Our Donation Planner Tool that makes Flexible Planned Giving easy;
  • Help to convey the concept to your clients.
  • Suggested types of clients most likely to be receptive to Flexible Planned Giving.

Which clients should Flexible Planned Giving be introduced to...and how?

The ADVISER section of our website contains information that may assist in identifying the right types of clients, and ways of introducing Flexible Planned Giving as part of reviews and conversations with clients in a safe, non-threatening way.

What Risks are there to Advisers and am I subject to any regulatory requirements?

Advisers are not exposed to any additional risks from referring clients to INVEST2DONATE. Advisers are not recommending any specific charity or cause…this choice is fully that of the client (but INVEST2DONATE, through its association with ChangePath, can assist clients in this regard). Any referral to INVEST2DONATE is arms-length and carries with it no representations. It is akin to a referral to a lawyer, accountant, or any other third party or specialist services.

How is Flexible Planned Giving positioned as part of my Client Value Proposition?

Solving a problem for clients is always a value-add. Many are frustrated by the frequency of direct marketing when it comes to donating. When they learn the massive costs of this it creates a big problem for them, and one, up to now, has had no easy solution.  Flexible Planned Giving adds value to your clients by supporting their giving decision so that it can have the greatest possible impact and also deepen your relationship. Being well equipped to assist clients with charitable giving will create the opportunity for value-based discussions on areas the clients see as important.

Philanthropy is growing in importance to clients and is growing in importance as a metric for advisors.

Am I able to charge clients for my role in assisting them?

As always, charging a client for services you provide is completely a matter for you. But it is anticipated that if an adviser simply makes clients aware of the concept and introduces them to our Donation Planner Tool and website, this will generally be provided as part of the overall on-going service in place.

How is the Flexible Planned Giving concept likely to help grow adviser’s business?

Advisers are positioned as the “hero” …being first to introduce Flexible Planned Giving. Planning donations is a part of planning finances generally.

It is a simple but positive initiative that is likely to generate considerable goodwill between adviser and client, deepen the relationship and may lead to further client referrals. It is also just another way the adviser adds value as part of an existing on-going retainer relationship.

EXPLAINING FLEXIBLE PLANNED GIVING TO CLIENTS

The following are designed to assist you in communicating the Flexible Planned Giving concept to clients through emails/Newsletters as well as verbally via client meetings/phone calls…

Written Communication - for inclusion in emails
ADVISER'S CHECKLIST FOR CLIENT MEETINGS

CLIENTS BEST SUITED TO FLEXIBLE PLANNED GIVING

Flexible Planned Giving is likely to resonate with the following types of clients:

1. Financially Independent Clients post 45 years of age, often retired or semi-retired:

These are clients who:

  • are frustrated by frequency of cold-calls, and after becoming aware of the high costs of asking, believe “there must be a better way To Give”;
  • want greater structure and admin efficiency around giving; and
  • are financially independent …. i.e. have $2m + of investable assets, can comfortably fund lifestyle, and are not in fear of outliving capital. (i.e. “high net worth” but excluding those “Ultra- High Net worth” who have own foundations etc)

 

2.Ultra-high net worth clients who are NOT suited to setting up Foundations or PAFs:

These are clients who:

  • want to retain access to capital and not tie it up;
  • may not want to be COMPELLED to make a charitable donation EACH AND EVERY year; and
  • may not need the large one-off deduction;

…then Flexible Planned Giving might suit these clients rather than a PAF.

3.Millennials:

These are younger clients who:

  • have a strong social conscience;
  • are comfortable with setting up regular giving online…usually smaller amounts;
  • don’t like waste and are open to smarter/better ways of embracing technology to do things better.

 

4.Those for whom Giving is important:

  • some clients, regardless of their income earning or asset position, just want to give…it’s important to them.
  • you won’t know unless you ask them, and by asking them you may discover that they are unknowingly losing on average 40% of all their donations.
  • some set their donations as a fixed $ amount pa. while others prefer to allocate a % of income they earn.

 

IN SUMMARY, THE 5 STEPS TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE

In summary, here are the 4 simple steps to follow with clients to make a difference:

1.Explain the concept (refer to the earlier section as to ways we can make this easy);

2.Introduce the Donation Planner and give them the Flexible Planned Giving Guide;

3.Offer to either:

  • -have your assistant subsequently take them through the Donation Planner if they are keen to set up their Giving Plan before they leave; or,
  • -if they prefer to work through the Donation Planner at home, briefly take them through the Flexible Planned Giving Guide which will recap the concept and importantly guide them through how to use the Donation Planner.

 

4.Hand out Giving Guide to all clients …some, even if disinterested, may develop an interest subsequently.

5.Provide Feedback:

Firstly, from you as to how the concept has worked for you… see THE ADVISER FEEDBACK FORM … We will look to obtain this from you monthly over the first three months;

Secondly, from your clients… see THE CLIENT FEEDBACK FORM… You can either gain client approval for us to contact them to obtain that feedback, or you (or your assistant) can obtain it… around 1 week later.

Why we need feedback:

Flexible Planned Giving is a new concept… the first of its kind as far as we know…but in order for any new concept to “fly” it needs to be shown that the concept works well for its intended target audience, and which, if any, areas need tweaking.

Without that, we can’t generate financial sponsorship and support to scale the concept so it can truly make a difference!

Anonymous feedback can help make that difference.