Testimonials
“In 1990, I was charged with implementing and managing a comprehensive gift planning program at the University of Toronto. One key component was a regular newsletter we called Dividends, produced by The Hilborn Group and distributed to a peak of 20,000 alumni, donors, and friends of the University. Dividends was instrumental in a tenfold increase in future gifts over one year, and was invaluable in bringing the various colleges, schools, centres, and programs in a diverse and decentralized University into the program.”
- John Webster Hochstadt, Director, Planned Gifts & Bequests (1990-1994), University of Toronto
“Jim Hilborn and the Hilborn Group are driven by the values we cherish in philanthropy. My experience with the Hilborn Group is that it is driven by a desire to make a difference. It moves to places where there is heart, where there are opportunities to help those of us committed to creating a better world.”
- Tony Myers, Principal & Senior Counsel, Myers & Associates, Calgary, AB
“At Simon Fraser University we have built a cultivation program with the primary goal of getting a targeted Planned Giving newsletter into the hands of age qualified alumni at least seven times before ramping up the marketing/relationship strategy to the next level. I think it takes at least that number of consistent messages before people even recall getting one. Then they know you are serious and the seeds are sown, not just scattered. We just completed the first survey of PG prospects using student callers to collect feedback about the program and about the level of interest SFU alumni have in planned giving. The results were amazing …”
- Doug Puffer, Director, Planned Giving, University Advancement, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC
“In the 1990s, when the United Church made the decision to have the largest and most aggressive planned giving program in Canada, a vital tool was an engaging and inspiring newsletter. At that time, The Hilborn Group provided not just the technical expertise to produce a comprehensive series of newsletters but also the editorial and creative know-how to make it really effective. We grew the program dramatically and The Hilborn Group was an important partner in that development.”
- Ken Ramsay, President & CEO, Legacy Leaders Inc, Toronto, ON
“While working as the Resource Development Manager at Family Transition Place, Ed Sluga was contracted to create a Planned Giving program. Despite our limited resources, Ed was able to provide a plan and materials - including an estate planning newsletter – that fit within our process and budget. It was a great experience working with Ed."
- Nadine Collins, University Advancement Officer, St. Jerome's University, Waterloo, ON
"I have managed a diverse range of fund development programs over my career. As often as I could I instituted a planned giving cultivation program relying heavily on estate planning newsletters. They have proven to be enormously successful in engaging potential donors and securing valuable future gifts for these organizations. I have also regularly relied on Ed Sluga as a provider of a newsletter service that works both for my budget and my approach. He has been an important partner in my planned giving programs since 1996."
- Jim Allen, Director of Fund Development, Parkinson Society Canada, Toronto, ON
“Since joining Edward Pearce and the Planned Giving team at Queen’s University in 2004 I saw the benefit of the Queen’s Financial Planner which Ed started many years earlier. Our alumni seemed to enjoy reading the profiles, stories and the tax tips we offer and many would refer to our newsletter when we visited them in their homes. We are still producing this newsletter and our alumni seem to be enjoying it. We acquire many new prospects from it and hope to continue to yield great results. Our major gift officers take our newsletters with them for their visits as well so they can plant the seed of gift planning into the minds of their donors. We still enjoy great success from our newsletter even during this economic uncertainty and hope to continue in the future.”
- Faye Ransom, Acting Director/Gift Planning, Queen's University
“When we made the decision to advance our Planned Giving program we realized that we needed a full plan to truly benefit from this important fund generation program. Ed Sluga came in and quickly provided thoughtful insight and expert direction to move us forward and create a sustainable plan for the school. His experience is evident at every turn. I could listen to him talk about Planned Giving all day!”
- Theresa Butler-Porter, CFRE, Lakefield College School