I posted this in the optional modules section of the forums, but as it also deals with simply recording these gifts I wanted to post here in case a wider audience had any ideas.

 We have a situation in which an attorney has informed us that one of his clients has included us in her will, but she does not want to provide us with her name.  Our Planned Giving Officer (PGO) wants this gift recorded in RE (we have the Planned Giving Module).  The PGO also says that this will be a common occurance.  I am concerned about entering anonymous constituent records to record these gifts that will be difficult to match up to the payments we eventually receive.  This would be especially true if the gifts don't come in until after the staff that has worked on them changes.  I'm looking for a suggestion on best practices and any similar experiences (whether they worked out well or not).

We do not have the PG module so I'm not sure how this suggestions will play, but we maintain a single Anonymous record for all truly anonymous cash gifts that we receive. It's one option. 

Good luck,

Jenn

I would stay away from calling any record "anonymous donor" simply because users tend to want to put gifts there from "known" donors who simply asked you to not publish their names (anonymous checkbox).

I have a record called Unknown Donors for all gifts that come in in cash or any other way where we really truly do not know the name of the donors.

In the case of this gift I would create a record called "Unknown/Unidentified Planned Gift Donor" and possibly also ask the lawyer to give you his client number so you can add it to the name.  I would then put in the lawyer's name as a contact and add all the notes you can about this gift.  I might put in yearly actions to check in with the lawyer on a regular basis to see if there have been any changes to the donor's will or anonymous wishes.

If the gift is just someone putting you in their will - is it irrevocable?  I would ask your finance office if they want you to book this as a gift if it is revokable by the donor.