Choosing a Trustee For Your Planned Gift Program

Abstract

This article focuses on issues surrounding charitable activities, and more specifically on the selection of a trustee. The author starts with the argument that donor satisfaction, or lack thereof, with the professional trustees of planned gift programs can have a significant impact of future charitable giving activity. Therefore, choosing a trustee who understands the technical aspects of such gifts, how to manage the assets in such gifts for long-term benefit of donors and the charity, and as importantly, how to work with and relate to a specific donor base in structuring and administering such gifts over time, are keys to a successful program. This article assist families, family offices, and development professionals in developing an approach to choosing and monitoring professional trustees of planned gift programs, by providing a series of questions which can be included in a n request for proposal (RFP) or in an annual review of current trustees.