Congress returned from its summer recess with a full agenda to act on before year-end. Legislators face a number of pressing tasks including addressing the nation’s debt ceiling. Commentators have predicted that these issues may prevent Congress from discussing the IRA Rollover and other income tax provisions until late in the session. The IRA Rollover provision, which allows individuals over 70½ to …Read More

Beginning on Black Friday and continuing through December, consumer spending typically sees a sharp rise in the final weeks of the year, thanks to holiday gift shopping and those rushing to take advantage of year-end sales. Yet it’s not just personal spending that spikes at the end of each year. According to Blackbaud’s 2014 Charitable Giving Report, an average of 32 …Read More

by Robert F. Sharpe, Jr. What is your fundraising strategy? As we experience persistent drought in parts of the U.S., we are reminded of the importance of water and the rain that deposits it in our lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Prior to the development of modern atmospheric science and meteorology, humans engaged in all manner of weather modification rituals. Among …Read More

Brain studies shed light on how people process print and digital communications. There are many reasons why organizations are turning more toward digital communications and marketing. Digital communications (enewsletters, social media posts, website advertising, etc.) can be more cost effective as there are no printing or postage costs—although it is important to factor in the cost of staff creative time, as …Read More