40 Technology When asked what happens when we die, Bruce Springsteen prefaced his comment with “individual consciousness, adios.” Springsteen then said, But our souls and our spirits, I think, grow and live on with the people that we’ve loved and who’ve loved us, and with people we’ve had impact on with our work or with our … in our daily experience. In other words, our career legacy grows through the people we have impacted in our work. As association membership ages, members can secure their legacy within their work by making gifts and donations. When donors consider the future, they often wonder how to leave a lasting impact. Legacy gifts provide a unique way to ensure their contributions have a lasting effect, benefiting people within their industry and communities for years to come. Associations can offer this benefit exclusively by retaining these members and presenting them with gifting opportunities, which will become a new non-dues revenue source. Baby Boomers are set to transfer $53 trillion in wealth in the coming years. At the same time, they require accommodations such as larger fonts, closed captioning, and high contrast to stay engaged within an organization. Ensuring your website is easy to navigate and frustration-free is crucial for retaining older members who need accessibility. Embracing accessible technology enhances the lifetime value of your Baby Boomer members and opens opportunities to discuss legacy gifts with these still-active members. Consequently, the cost of accessibility can be covered by these legacy gifts, resulting in a positive return on investment and improved access for all members. Here are five legacy LEAVE A LEGACY LIKE SPRINGSTEEN How Digital Accessibility and Gifting Can Secure Your Association’s Future By J. Mark Wallach, MBA gifting ideas that achieve this, enabling donors to leave a meaningful and long-lasting impact. 1. C reate a Professional Development Grant (For $5,000 or Less) Even a small gift can make a big difference in professional development. With a $5,000 donation, your association could set up a professional development grant aimed at helping members attend conferences, earn certifications, or take courses that might otherwise be out of reach. To get started, develop a simple application process and define clear criteria for who qualifies. Publicize the grant to ensure awareness and share success stories of past recipients to demonstrate its impact. This is a cost-effective way for a donor to enhance others’ careers and leave their mark on the industry. 2. Funding for Accessible Industry Resources Accessibility should be at the forefront of every nonprofit’s mission. For donors passionate about breaking down barriers, a legacy gift can help ensure resources are accessible to all members, regardless of physical
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