One of the strengths of successful public broadcasting legacy gift programs across the nation is the efficient use of the network of wonderful volunteer advisors. These advisors are advocates for legacy gifts and advocates for creating a legacy of giving in support of the strong programs of public broadcasting.

Doing Acquisition Direct Mail Right According to experts, there is absolutely a right way to do direct mail acquisition - and many wrong ways. Learn what an acquistion appeal consists of, what it might also include, and what you should definitely leave out of the package.

How many times have you heard a staff member, volunteer or board member voice objections to the "junk mail" the station sends out or the "telemarketing calls" that "no one likes?" Rather than explaining fundraising metrics, interpret your data in ways that people can understand and relate to. Bryan Terpstra, Vice President, LW Robbins Associates and Gregory Boroff, Senior Vice President, Food Bank for New York City show you how and give you some tools to help do the job.

While DEI staff and consultants are working with stations to strengthen individual giving programs, DEI President, Doug Eichten, has been hearing that member stations need some unique advice. They're asking what will happen to individual giving from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010? Obviously, they are working on their next FY budget. They told Doug they know they must not cut back on spending on Development.

by Jim Lewis, CFRE, Lewis Kennedy Associates refreshed and plucked from the Archives Is the US economy doomed to an endless recession? Economists and financial services CEOs disagree, as they usually do on any question requiring a yes or no answer. What is clear is that the housing and credit fiascos, coupled with rising energy costs, continue to affect many people.

Funded through a CPB grant and launched in January 2009 with 20 stations participating, the Leadership for Philanthropy project is already seeing results.

So, Have You Raised Any Major Gifts Yet? by Deb Turner, Executive Director, Leadership for Philanthropy project and DEI's Major & Planned Giving Coordinator

By Diane Halke, Assistant General Manager, Development WMRA Public Radio Network   In mid-December I conducted some fairly extensive research on all types of contributions, deductions and when to deduct. Here are the rules I found, derived directly from IRS Publication 526, revised Dec. 2000, the latest issuing of these rules.

There is no question that in today's economy there is an emerging need for Public Radio to seek out new sources of revenue. While the value of public radio as the source for news and information is being recognized - especially in relation to the economic crisis - financial support is, unfortunately, reflective of the reality of what's in everyone's pocketbook.