The $84 Trillion Non-Profit Fundraising Opportunity | Why You Should Create A Legacy Giving Program
Imagine this: A long-time supporter of your non-profit leaves a generous financial gift in their will. Their single legacy donation becomes the critical funding needed to sustain and grow your programs for years to come.
This isn’t just a possibility—it’s a proven strategy for non-profits with effective legacy giving programs. Yet, many organizations are missing out on this valuable and often-overlooked resource.
Legacy donations create dependable, lasting support for your cause.
They free your organization from the relentless cycle of grant applications and donor outreach, giving you the stability to focus on what truly matters: creating an impact.
And the best part? You don’t need to be a large, established non-profit to benefit. A Legacy Giving Program is quick, affordable, and simple to set up—no matter the size of your organization.
In this article, I’ll explore:
- Why legacy giving is a powerful tool for securing significant, long-term contributions.
- How your organization can easily tap into this impactful funding opportunity.
- The simple steps we can take together to design a program tailored to your mission.
The Power of Legacy Giving
Over the next 20 years, an estimated $84 trillion will be transferred between generations. For non-profits, this provides a unique chance to secure long-term financial stability.
If a generous supporter bequests you a large financial gift in their will, the potential benefits are substantial.
Even a small share of this wealth can fund your organization for years, creating stability and growth that are often out of reach for many organizations.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- $46,594: That’s the average legacy gift per donor, making it one of the most impactful forms of individual giving (according to one study).
- For every $1 invested in building a legacy giving program, non-profits see an average return of $56.63—an ROI that outpaces most other fundraising strategies (from the same study).
- Organizations with well-established programs have raised between $5 million and $50 million, creating stable, long-term financial foundations to support their mission.
What Is Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving empowers donors to leave a lasting impact by making planned gifts through their wills or estate plans. These gifts can take various forms, including:
- Cash: A specific dollar amount or percentage of the estate.
- Stocks or Securities: Donating investments, often with tax advantages.
- Life Insurance Benefits: Naming your non-profit as a beneficiary.
- Real Estate: Land, homes, or other properties.
- Other Valuable Assets: Jewelry, artwork, or other items of significant value.
Donors also have the flexibility to:
- Contribute the remaining portion of their estate once other wishes are fulfilled.
- Customize their gift to align with their values and financial circumstances.
This adaptability allows them to take care of their family while ensuring their gift is meaningful for them and impactful for your organization.
Why Non-Profits Are Missing Out
Despite the benefits of legacy giving programs, many non-profits have yet to take advantage of this resource.
For instance, only 1 out of 58 non-profits receiving grants from a prominent animal charity organization include legacy giving on their website. That’s just 1.72%—leaving tens of millions of dollars in potential funding untapped.
Why?
The barriers are surprisingly common:
- Some organizations simply lack awareness of legacy giving as an option.
- Others feel they don’t have the time, expertise, or donor base to make it worthwhile.
- Many focus exclusively on short-term fundraising, not realizing that legacy giving can also strengthen their current efforts.
The result? A missed opportunity for meaningful, long-term support.
Research shows that individuals who include a charitable organization in their will often deepen their commitment to the cause, increasing their annual giving by about $3,000 each year compared to other donors.
While animal-focused organizations are lagging behind, other cause areas have already embraced legacy giving, securing support from their communities. As more non-profits adopt this approach, those who delay risk missing out on a crucial source of long-term funding.
Legacy giving isn’t just about future gifts—it’s about fostering stronger connections with supporters who share your vision and want to see your mission succeed both now and in the years to come.
Even with limited resources, legacy giving programs are simple to set up and accessible for organizations of any size.
With the right tools and guidance, your organization can tap into this underutilized resource and create meaningful, lasting impact for your cause.
How To Start A Legacy Giving & Bequest Program
Legacy giving may seem daunting, but it’s simpler than you might think.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:
1. Educate Your Donors: Start by informing your supporters about the impact of legacy giving.
Many people aren’t aware of how easy it is to include your organization in their will or estate plan—or the many ways they can give, such as cash, stocks, or real estate.
We’ll help you craft the right materials—brochures, website content, and email templates—to not only spread the message but also clearly outline these giving options, ensuring your supporters understand how their legacy can align with your mission.
2. Guide Action: Once donors are informed, the next step is to provide them with clear and simple guidance.
Whether they work with an estate planner or use convenient online tools, we’ll help make the process seamless for your supporters.
For those who don’t already have an estate plan, they can even create a free will in as little as 20 minutes.
3.Create Lasting Impact: When a legacy gift is realized, your organization gains vital funding to sustain essential services and launch new initiatives.
These contributions often represent significant, long-term support that enables you to reach more people, protect more animals, or create a greater impact in the world.
With the right tools, messaging, and outreach, setting up a legacy giving program is easier than you think—and the rewards are well worth it.
Building a Sustainable Future Through Legacy Giving
Legacy giving isn’t just about future funding—it strengthens your organization today.
- Financial Stability: Legacy gifts provide dependable funding that allows you to focus on long-term planning rather than short-term survival.
- Stronger Donor Bonds: Supporters who include your organization in their will deepen their connection to your mission, often becoming your most loyal advocates.
- Enhanced Reach: These gifts enable you to expand your programs, launch new initiatives, and amplify your impact in ways other funding sources can’t.
By creating a legacy giving program, your organization lays the groundwork for sustained growth, ensuring your mission continues to thrive for years to come.
Creating Impact That Lasts Beyond a Lifetime
The most meaningful aspect of legacy giving isn’t just in the dollars raised.
It’s about impact.
Legacy giving empowers your supporters to make a lasting difference, aligning their personal values with the mission they care deeply about.
It provides them with a unique opportunity to leave a meaningful legacy—one that ensures your work continues well beyond their lifetime.
For many, it’s a way to give back to a cause that has profoundly impacted their life and to ensure that future generations benefit from the mission they hold so dearly.
Legacy giving allows your supporters to become part of something bigger than themselves. It’s a way for their story to continue—to live on through your mission and its ongoing impact.
By inspiring your supporters to see the difference they can make, you’re not just asking for a gift—you’re inviting them to create a legacy of hope, compassion, and change.
With legacy giving, they don’t just support your mission—they become a part of its future.
Create a Legacy Giving Program In 7 Days
At Limitless Earth, we specialize in creating customized legacy giving programs tailored to your non-profit’s unique needs.
Here’s how we can work together:
- Customizable Assets: We provide professionally designed brochures, website templates, and downloadable PDFs to educate your donors.
- Expert Guidance: Our team collaborates with experienced consultants to handle marketing, legal considerations, and coaching on donor outreach.
- Ongoing Support: We’ll ensure your program is well-promoted and optimized for success, helping you achieve measurable results.
With proven strategies modeled after successful programs, we’ll make the process simple and effective.
Who Qualifies?
Your organization can benefit from legacy giving if:
- You have a registered non-profit status to receive tax-deductible donations, or you work with a fiscal sponsor organization that can provide this capability.
- You have an engaged audience, such as donors, social media followers, or community supporters, who are passionate about your mission and eager to create lasting change.
That’s it. Whether you’re a large non-profit or a growing initiative with a dedicated community, you can access this powerful revenue stream.
Your Next Step: Schedule Your Free Consultation
The opportunity to create a legacy giving program is within your reach—and I’m here to guide you through every step of the process. Together, we’ll create a program tailored to your mission that unlocks long-term funding and deepens your connection with supporters.
When you schedule your free consultation, you’ll discover:
- The 7 Ways Donors Can Give: From cash to stocks, learn the flexible options available to your supporters.
- Top Tax Advantages for Legacy Donors: How your donors can benefit financially while making a meaningful impact.
- Proven Messaging That Inspires Action: Strategies to communicate the value of legacy giving in a way that resonates with your audience.
- Quick Wins for Small Teams: Simple steps to get your program off the ground, even with limited time and resources.
- How Legacy Giving Strengthens Annual Fundraising: See how these programs complement and enhance your current efforts.
- Custom Tools to Educate Your Supporters: Explore brochures, web content, and templates designed to inspire action.
This is your chance to build a legacy giving program that secures the future of your mission.
Email LimitlessEarthOrg@gmail.com to schedule your free consultation, and let’s get started on creating a program that works for you and your organization.
About The Author - Andrew Alexander
Andrew Alexander is a serial entrepreneur and filmmaker who has successfully helped raise over $350,000 for his businesses, co-ventures, and documentary films.
He first learned about this opportunity of Legacy Giving during a Kickstarting for Good startup incubator program in 2024 where this program was founded, he connected with other mentors, and began helping non-profits install legacy giving programs in their organizations.