NAI Blog

This is going to sound a little strange, but I LOVE TAX TIME! Now don’t get me wrong, I do not look forward to sorting through all of last year’s receipts and financial records, and I certainly don’t relish filling out all the tax forms, schedules and other documents. But I’m always motivated to go through all that effort just to find out if I’m getting a refund and how much it will be.

Once I know how much I have coming back in a tax refund, I have the dilemma of deciding what to do with that windfall. My first inclination is to pay off some bills that have been lingering longer than I like, and that’s usually where a good chunk of it goes. However, I also realize that much of that refund I received is a result of deductions I made throughout the year, including charitable donations. So if I want to look forward to a refund next year, I should probably invest some of this year’s refund in charitable donations.

So I can take some of the money the IRS refunded to me, use it to support something I really believe in (for example, NAI’s Enos Mills Fund), and that will provide a deduction that will save me some tax $ again next year. It’s like I get to help NAI, help myself, and reduce my tax burden at the same time! That’s a pretty good win-win in my book.

Interpreters work hard for our wages. However, I’m not sure we’re all good about making our wages work hard for us. In the current economy I’m not as confident about many kinds of investments. But investing in NAI is always a solid investment that pays off in many ways. And it’s a way to shelter some of your tax dollars as well.

If you’d like more information on the Enos Mills Fund, more details and on-line donation forms are available by clicking here.

Wishing you a prompt and plentiful refund!

-Jim Covel

This is installment two of fundraising information from the recent Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) meeting in New Orleans. I was especially intrigued by the data several researchers presented regarding bequests or planned gifts as they are called. Indiana University’s Center for Philanthropy was one of the main sources, but several different researchers presented data from different studies. 

A bequest is defined by www.dictionary.com as: a disposition in a will or a legacy. 

Some interesting information gleaned from these AFP talks were: 

1. There are $306 billion in charitable gifts annually, of which 75% are from individuals.

2. About 80% of charitable gifts are through bequests at the death of the donors. 

3. Only 8% of Americans have a charitable donation to a non-profit in their wills, but 40% say they are willing to do that. (you have to ask people to give)

4. About 50% of people with no children or grandchildren leave bequests.

5. Having new grandchildren is the most common reason for people removing a bequest from their will. Change in health is also a common reason for dropping a bequest.

6. One-third of charitable gifts are to religious groups.

7. Those most likely to give are: women, married, never married, conservative, religious, advance degree holders, over fifty. 

The last item identifies those more likely to give. All people of all political persuasions, genders, ages and backgrounds do leave money in their wills. 

One of the more interesting sets of statistics indicated that: 

• People who have no will have an average age of death of 69.

• People with a will have an average age of death of 79.

• People with a legacy gift in her/his will have an average age of death of 82. 

Does that mean we can all put a non-profit organization in our will and we’ll live longer? I don’t think so, but it is interesting information. 

Dr. Bill Randall, a retired University of Massachusetts professor of interpretation, and NAI leader left $100,000 in life insurance to NAI at his passing a decade ago. In 2007 Dick Taylor’s bequest of $25,000 as a charitable gift annuity became part of our long-term scholarship funds at the time of his passing. Bob Jennings, a long time leader in NAI,  left a collection of musical instruments that we sold at his request and it serves as a scholarship fund for Interpretive Naturalist Section members in his memory. 

If you have an interest in placing NAI in your will as a bequest and want more information about the process, feel free to call me at 888-900-8283 or contact your attorney to assist you with your will. 

Bequests have great  impact on non-profit organizations because they insure greater funding stability, endow new programs, and make a contribution that lasts forever as endowment gifts. 

If you manage a non-profit organization and want to know more, I encourage you to attend a meeting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. It’s a great place to learn about current trends and stimulate your ideas for building a more solid future for your organization. 

- Tim Merriman

NAI Executive Director

This is not only true for many of us as individuals, but it’s also true for us as an organization. In this sense, I’m referring to running for office, and it’s a very important exercise for NAI every year. The elections process ensures a continual flow of new ideas and expertise into our leadership. It also provides another opportunity for members to weigh in on policies and the overall direction of the organization.

Although our elections are held in the fall, now is the time to start thinking about running for office. With most regions and sections holding staggered elections, there are opportunities to run for office every year. This is a good time to start talking with current officers to find out more about their typical duties, their time commitment, and their perspective on the costs and benefits that come with a leadership role. Next to serving to the best of their ability, the highest priority for every office holder is to pass their duties on to someone else who will do as well or better in that role. We’re all happy to talk with potential candidates at all levels.

While NAI has a very talented professional staff, volunteer leadership provides a large portion of the services to our members. Regions and sections mean a lot to members. The interactions, support, networking and fellowship that we share at the region and section level are most meaningful and feeds our professional identity. I can tell you that meaningful peer relationship increases with your participation as an officer—even more so when serving on the national board.

From an organizational fitness standpoint, NAI needs more “runners.” Our succession planning—in other words, always having tomorrow’s talent in the pipeline—is great in some areas and lacking in others. Working toward a better future is what drives many interpreters, and we need to bring that same ethic to working for the future of the organization that represents our profession. That’s how we ensure the fitness and the future of NAI.

If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume you’re already one of the members that pays attention, keeps up on NAI news, a member that cares about the organization and the profession. If you haven’t held an office with NAI, I’m asking you to think about it. Look at the leadership resources page on the NAI website to find out more. Talk to a current or former officer to get their first-hand perspective on their experience. If you’ve held an office in the past, think about running for a different office that would gain from your experience. Find out who your elections chair is in your region or section, or talk to Lester Hodgins, our national elections chair, and let them know you’re interested in running. Because running does make us fit.

-Jim Covel

NAI President

The Association of Fundraising Professionals International just held their annual conference this past week in new Orleans. One of the sessions I attended by Robbin Gehrke that was especially interesting was on fundraising with donation catalogs. Holiday gift catalogs by World Vision and Heifer International were some of  many examples used. The points that really stuck for me were:

 • Use tangible products to represent your work (example: 1 goat and 2 chickens to a village bought with your $100 gift)

• Sweet spot in catalog gifts is $50 and $100 – most gifts are in this range

• Square inch analysis – place best products in the hot spots determined from “squinch” analysis

• Front and back covers are hot spots as are inside front spread and second spread; center spread is good too as well as the front or back of the order form.

• Great photos make it work – shoot specifically for the catalog eye contact of subject with reader is important, uncluttered backgrounds, holiday colors, verticals and horizontals, right and left facing

 • Use emotional storytelling to sell the benefits

 • Use endorsements to build credibility – recipients, celebrities, etc.

• Website is the primary order location and photos should be the same as in the printed catalog – many study the catalog, but order from the website

• Bind-in mail-order forms are better than clip-out or tear-out.

• Premiums can be offered and tested for their power, but offer “maximum impact” options where the premium can be refused.

• Most catalogs are 8×10 3/8”, 16-48 pages, 47 lb., self-cover

 • Mail to “best house” lists; people who shop on-line like gift catalogs

• Insert catalog in your magazine or newsletter and any other channel that has been successful for your organization.

The developers of these gift catalogs say the benefits are:

• These bring in new donors who may not respond to other mailings

 • Higher first time gifts on average than other appeals

 • Higher value for the long run

 • High percentage of gifts are online with credit cards

 • Builds awareness of your brand

• Uses the holiday season as a vehicle

• Appeals to donor in a new way

Remember that holiday catalog gifts are often given to others. It’s a way for your donors to help your organization and share your story with others.

* Share your ideas or best practices in fundraising in the comments below!