by John Jensen Confusion can result when one gift vehicle has many names. Imagine this: An elderly donor decides to name your organization as the beneficiary of her savings account through a POD (Payable on Death) designation. She contacts her bank manager to arrange the gift, only to be told that her bank doesn’t offer POD accounts. The donor, …Read More

by Barlow Mann In spite of a global economic slowdown, Brexit, terrorist attacks at home and abroad, a contentious presidential race and a general atmosphere of uncertainty, the U.S. stock markets reached new highs in August. The Dow, NASDAQ and the S&P 500 set new records this summer. Before July, the last time the Dow hit a …Read More

Gift planners know about the special tax benefits of giving securities instead of cash, particularly for gifts of relatively larger amounts, perhaps $1,000 or more. However, many donors don’t fully understand the why and how of stock gifts. To educate your donors, consider sending donors with a history of larger gifts information such as Sharpe’s Giving Securities booklet. Attach your business card …Read More

The National Center for Health Statistics released a report earlier this year entitled “Mortality Among Centenarians in the United States, 2000-2014.” After rising between the years 2000 and 2008, the death rate (number of deaths per 100) among Americans aged 100 and older saw a decline from 2008-2014. Still, the number of centenarian deaths in 2014 is 41 percent higher than …Read More

Educating your donors about the importance of making estate plans can help ensure participation in those plans. Many were shocked earlier this year by the unexpected death, at the age of 57, of the well-known musical icon and entertainer Prince. Then, within days, we were further surprised to learn he had apparently passed away without a will or other estate plans. …Read More