While the United States has more people over the age of 100 than any other country in the world, it does not have the oldest population. In fact, a number of other developed nations have “older” populations, including many European countries. But it may be instructive to examine Japan for some clues about what increased longevity and an aging population may …Read More

By Barlow Mann A look at what Giving USA 2016: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2015 means for nonprofits. According to the recently released Giving USA 2016: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2015, estimated charitable contributions reached a new high of $373 billion. The Annual Report on Philanthropy reports charitable gifts from individuals, estates, foundations and corporations. Whether measured in …Read More

Fundraisers know that the final three months of the year are often the busiest. Recent studies have indicated that many nonprofits receive up to half of their gifts between October and December (see “’Tis the Season to Give,” Give & Take, November 2015). Keeping this in mind, mark your calendar now with the following opportunities to educate and motivate your donors before …Read More

By Katherine George Stewardship When encouraging estate and other planned gifts, establishing and maintaining a strong relationship with your donors is critical. One of the cornerstones to stewarding that relationship is consistent communication. Subjective timing Donors are often spurred to make or revise their estate plans by life events that can happen any day of the year. By …Read More

by Ashley McHugh A Sharpe Group writer and editor shares some of what she’s learned over nearly two decades of interviewing donors and writing their stories. Over the course of my 19-year career as a writer and editor for Sharpe Group, I’ve had the honor and privilege to interview hundreds of planned giving donors and write stories about them …Read More