Sharpe Blog

In the late 1970s, the IRS announced it would apply a new test to charitable remainder annuity trusts (CRATs)—the 5% probability test (5% Test). If there was more than a 5% probability that a CRAT would be exhausted during the payout recipient’s life, no federal income tax charitable deduction would be allowed with respect to …Read More

In recent days, I’ve been asked two timely questions: Is it OK for a college to contribute funds to organizations leading protests for racial justice? Is it OK for a school to establish a scholarship fund just for members of a certain racial group? These are questions of law, not policy. The first question is …Read More

As the country rides out the pandemic while contemplating the meaning of both social unrest and volatile financial markets, many of the nation’s most impactful charities are bracing for reduced philanthropic support. EAB, a higher education and technology consulting firm, surveyed 110 development executives about their predictions for COVID-19’s impact on fundraising. The survey also …Read More

The Guest case shows how to reap benefits from and avoid problems with a real estate gift. The donor in Guest wrote a letter to Charity stating that he, by the letter, gave two properties to Charity. Wanting the gift but not wanting to be in the chain of title, Charity wrote back to the …Read More

The first quarter of 2019 began with the DOW and other stock market indexes seeing a significant decline. There were growing concerns over the economy, which created a challenging environment for charitable giving. By mid-year, half of the charitable organizations indicated their fundraising results were flat or down compared to the previous year. The economy …Read More

Some individuals who own real estate like the idea of swapping the real estate for a gift annuity. Especially if they’ve grown tired of managing the property and see the gift annuity as a good way of replacing the income the property provides. This can be a good deal for the donor. And a bad …Read More

The IRS discount rate (7520 rate) has a big effect on charitable remainder annuity trust (CRAT), charitable lead annuity trust (CLAT) and gift annuity calculations but has almost no effect on unitrust calculations. CRAT calculations: The 7520 rate adversely affects two CRAT calculations: [1] the charitable remainder calc and [2] the 5% probability calc … …Read More

I’ve got my memories Always inside of me But I can’t go back Back to how it was I believe you now I’ve come too far No I can’t go back Back to how it was Created for a place I’ve never known This is home Now I’m finally back to where I belong Where …Read More

The first part of this article was featured in the latest issue of Sharpe Group’s bimonthly newsletter Give & Take. Click here to read it. Here, I will further explain the provisions of the CARES Act as they relate to nonprofits and then offer ideas to help you evaluate whether your current planned giving strategy …Read More

Background In the May/June issue of Give & Take, The Value of Stewardship, Part 1 of 2: First Do No Harm showed how the acceleration of a bequest intention stewarded unsatisfactorily in the eyes of the donor led to its revocation. What is the nature of the risk to the charity when a donor makes …Read More