PROTOTYPE Using Data Effectively to Strengthen Your Gift Planning Program-Slides: Using Data Effectively

Slides: Using Data Effectively

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Joe Bull’s April 9, 2026 presentation explains how nonprofits can use data to strengthen gift planning programs. It defines data as raw facts that become useful when organized and interpreted, and emphasizes accessing both internal and external data sources. The core message is that organizations should assume their data is usable, learn how to request it effectively, and work closely with database managers.<br /><br />The presentation argues that data can help secure leadership support for expanding gift planning, demonstrate program impact, and identify new prospects. It cites research showing that planned gifts often lead to higher annual giving, strong donor loyalty, and excellent return on investment, especially for bequests.<br /><br />A major theme is building a business case for gift planning using actuarial and donor-behavior data, including age patterns, bequest timing, and how charitable gifts relate to lifetime giving. The speaker also stresses disciplined donor data management and the importance of tracking not just dollars, but categories of gifts, donor interactions, stewardship activity, proposals, and new gifts received.<br /><br />The presentation outlines key performance indicators for gift officers and gift planning advisors, including non-visit interactions, visits, proposals, gift credit, stewardship credit, and financial credit. It recommends metrics that reward collaboration, long-term stewardship, and both current and deferred gifts.<br /><br />Finally, the presentation explains how to identify planned giving prospects without wealth screening by analyzing organizational involvement, donor age, family situation, volunteer and board service, giving patterns, stopped-out donors, call reports, and other lists such as QCD, DAF, retirement, and life insurance donors. The overall takeaway: disciplined use of data can improve prospecting, stewardship, and fundraising results.

Keywords

planned giving

nonprofit data

gift planning

donor analytics

bequest marketing

fundraising metrics

prospect identification

stewardship

database management

charitable giving