I stumbled on the following poll that left me scratching my head. Why do so many PG folks "Strongly Agree" that nonprofits should be "marketing and networking with financial advisors to cultivate planned gifts among their clients."

What do you expect to happen? How would the conversation go? What's in it for them? How would the client feel about having a donation to the financial advisor's recommended charity even be suggested? If I were the client, I'd object vociferously.

Just because financial advisors are talking to your donors doesn't mean they should be cultivating gifts for you among their clients. Therefore, I think this is a fundraising unicorn! I think it's a silly idea.

It's not the financial advisor's job to cultivate planned gifts that will benefit your charity among their clients. Instead, that's your job! And besides, many advisors feel that doing so would be a conflict of interest.

If you have figured out how to get financial advisors to recommend your charity for planned gifts, I'd love to hear how you did it.

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