--- title: Imagine This... description: Did you have a grandmother? I did. Imagine if I sent mine letters and emails every once in a while. Imagine them telling her that she should give me money. image: https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/file-3555671952-jpg/blog-files/istock_000015737681small-451x300.jpg --- ### Get weekly nonprofit marketing ideas straight to your inbox ** [301.289.3670](tel:+1-301-289-3670) / [888.618.2015](tel:+1-888-618-2015) [**Contact](http://imarketsmart.com/contact-us) [**  Careers](http://imarketsmart.com/careers) - - - [![Imarketsmart](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logo-basic-300x451.png?width=300&height=45&name=logo-basic-300x451.png "Imarketsmart")](http://imarketsmart.com/) [Get a Demo](http://imarketsmart.com/request-a-demo/) # Marketsmart Blog # Imagine This... **![grandmother](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hs-fs/file-3555671952-jpg/blog-files/istock_000015737681small-451x300.jpg?width=451&height=300&name=istock_000015737681small-451x300.jpg)Did you have a grandmother or elderly aunt, uncle or friend? I did.**   Imagine if I sent mine letters and emails every once in a while. Imagine that those letters and emails told her how great I was. Imagine them also telling her that I really needed money for my future. Imagine them telling her that she should give me money. Also imagine if my letters and emails told her how she should have left me money in her will because, if she didn't do that... the IRS would get it. Furthermore, imagine that each of my letters involved complicated legal tactics for giving me money along with confusing legal jargon. Oh, and imagine if all of these letters and emails were written with lots and lots of words that were boring, confusing and small (8 pt font or smaller).   **Does this sound like what your organization is doing? ** If so, I'm here to tell you that it's not nice and it's not fair. It may work some of the time. But if you really want to encourage legacy giving to support your mission, stop doing it! Instead, start engaging and involving your supporters with valuable offers that help them realize their goals and feel like they had a meaningful life with impact that will benefit others forever.   LIKE THIS BLOG POST? PLEASE SHARE IT AND/OR SUBSCRIBE - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **Posted by**Greg Warner March 23, 2015 [** Next](https://info.imarketsmart.com/blog/why-you-must-recognize-the-consideration-continuum/) [Previous **](https://info.imarketsmart.com/blog/will-you-be-at-afp-2015-in-baltimore-next-week/) Search this site on Google Search Google #### Get Weekly Tips ![](http://11034n4348rz28bwol8ogod8.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/majorgiftmotivatorCTA-e1438624761470.png)Get captivating motivational quotes~*hand-picked for major and planned giving fundraisers*~delivered via email every Tuesday.![](http://11034n4348rz28bwol8ogod8.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/majorgiftmotivator-tile-sidebar-image-e1438802110804.jpg) [![Get Motivated](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1716178/3152951d-d234-4e33-8af5-19882b865e06.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1716178/3152951d-d234-4e33-8af5-19882b865e06) ### JOIN THE CLUB Become a better fundraiser! Enter your email below for tips and tricks guaranteed to help you raise more money and keep more donors at lower costs. ### DOWNLOAD OUR FREE EBOOK [![eBook Image](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/Hardcover-Book-FundraisingIsBroken-e1438787940530.png)](http://imarketsmart.com/resources/ebooks/fundraising-is-broken-ebook/) **A Fundraising Guide for Nonprofits**[![Get My Copy](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1716178/3f31af11-258f-4651-911c-07db0c7c1785.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1716178/3f31af11-258f-4651-911c-07db0c7c1785) ### Connect with MarketSmart ### Our Awards [![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/2015_score_award1-1.jpg)](https://www.score.org/success-stories/marketsmart) [![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/winner-1.png)](http://scoreawards.score.org/entry/8856382) ### Press Releases [![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/washingtonpost.png)](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-small-business/wp/2015/05/06/business-rx-how-to-manage-a-rapidly-growing-team/) [**](https://info.imarketsmart.com/blog/imagine-this/#top) ![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/LogoWithSlogan.png) [![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/winner.png) ](http://scoreawards.score.org/entry/8856382)[![](https://info.imarketsmart.com/hubfs/images/2015_score_award1.jpg)](https://www.score.org/success-stories/marketsmart) ©2015 MarketSmart | 9658 Baltimore Ave., Suite 360, College Park, MD 20740 | [301.289.3670](tel:+1-301-289-3670) | [Privacy Policy](http://imarketsmart.com/privacy-policy/) | [Anti-Spam Policy](https://info.imarketsmart.com/anti-spam)