Sharpe Blog

We would all agree that marketing is critical to planned giving. In the for-profit realm, marketing is the outbound reach to promote and sell. However, this is only 25% of the “marketing mix.” Philip Kotler, known as the “Father of Modern Marketing,” is the author of the widely accepted practice of the “4 P’s of …Read More

How many times have you left your donors a voicemail with no callback or sent an email with no response? As we seemingly become more connected through technology, are we becoming more disconnected on a personal level? Whatever the reason, it is certainly harder for fundraisers to connect with donors these days. Consider this: Just …Read More

Senior VP and Senior Consultant Joe Chickey, draws on interactions with his own parents, who are in their 90s, turning these experiences into teachable planned giving moments. Here, he explores lessons in appreciated stock. After much heartfelt discussion and thoughtful debate, my parents recently decided it was time to leave their home of 32 years …Read More

Read Part 4, “The Role of the Professional Fiduciary,” here. When I am asked if Sharpe has marketing materials designed for professional advisors, I respond with this question: “What is your goal in marketing to professional advisors?” Here’s why. If your goal in marketing to advisors is to have them suggest your organization as a …Read More

Read part three, “The Role of the Attorney,” here. The last advisor I will cover is the professional fiduciary, such as a trust officer or a financial advisor. A professional fiduciary is an individual or entity whose role it is to act in the best interests of another party, the beneficiary or client. Corporate (entity) …Read More

Read part two, “The Role of The Accountant,” here. Attorneys play a crucial role in charitable giving by providing legal guidance and expertise to individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations involved in philanthropy. Though their role encompasses various aspects of charitable giving, here we will discuss their role as the donor’s advisor. Attorneys assist in developing …Read More

Read part one, “Getting To Know the Advisors,” here. An accountant is the advisor most likely to have detailed information on a donor’s tax and cash-flow situation, and they are often the closest and most trusted advisor for business owners. Therefore, an accountant may appreciate a detailed proposal about a charitable gift. What they do …Read More

The phrase “it takes a village” couldn’t be more applicable to fundraising, especially to completing gifts and advisors.  How many times have you worked diligently to get to the point where your donor says, “I want to make this gift,” and you’re thinking, “Where—and with whom—do I begin?” In addition to family members, one or …Read More

As I have made the transition to working with charities, I have found there are many tools and methods used in the for-profit world that can be applied successfully to nonprofit organizations. One of these is SWOT analysis, whose creation is generally attributed to Albert Humphrey in the 1960s at the Stanford Research Institute. to …Read More

The window of my home office overlooks a beautiful natural pond filled with ducks and turtles. While the water appears calm and lovely most days, and the ducks are gently swimming back and forth, I cannot help but think about the chaos of their flippers underneath, propelling them from one side of the pond to …Read More