Good Times for Gift Annuities

Posted January 15th, 2024

When it comes to charitable gift annuity programs, the past several decades have been difficult ones. Like a perfect storm, lower interest rates combined with a smaller group of Silent Generation donors who had aged into the 75+ age range, causing the long-popular split-interest gift plan to lose some of its appeal. But now things …Read More

Happy New Year!

Posted January 7th, 2024

Getting organized. Planning for the first quarter of the year. Breathing a sigh of relief that year-end is behind you. These are typical first-of-the-year activities for fundraising. And there is one simple task that will yield returns for 2024: Identifying the donors in your data file who passed away in 2023 or before. Accomplishing this …Read More

‘For the Times They Are A-Changin’’

Posted December 21st, 2023

As 2023 winds down and we look to what 2024 may bring, there are some certainties (along with a few more uncertainties) in the areas of tax and financial planning and, most importantly, in the gift planning community. Now is the time to think about what these will mean for your donors, their gift plans …Read More

Sharpe Senior Consultant Julie Schuldner Recertified With CFRE International

Posted November 30th, 2023

Sharpe Group is pleased to share this CFRE International announcement detailing the recertification of Julie Schuldner as a Certified Fund Raising Executive. Julie joined Sharpe in 2022 as a senior consultant and has quickly gained a reputation as a trusted advisor dedicated to the success of nonprofit organizations of all sizes and missions. Her clients …Read More

Don’t Mi$$ Out! Year-End Giving Can Be the Most Important Fundraising Time!

Posted November 17th, 2023

By Barlow T. Mann Which day of the year records the highest volume of online charitable donations in the United States? If you answered #GivingTuesday, you are incorrect. November is certainly a very generous month with National Philanthropy Day, Thanksgiving and #GivingTuesday. Many experienced fundraisers, however, know while Thanksgiving traditionally kicks off the most generous …Read More

Philanthropy Puzzler: QCDs and Gift Annuities

Posted September 6th, 2023

Question: For a donor 70½ or older, is a QCD the best way to fund a gift annuity?   Answer: In certain circumstances. Your donor may find, however, that it is more advantageous to use cash or appreciated securities because they: Will receive a charitable income tax deduction if they itemize. Avoid some capital gains, …Read More

Creating Your 2023 Year-End Calendar

Posted August 16th, 2023

Even though summer is officially underway, it’s not too early to begin making your plans for the busy year-end season. Thankfully, there are several national events that have been established to bring awareness to the importance of charitable giving and can provide your donors an opportunity to support your organization. For 2023, these are the …Read More

Philanthropy Puzzler: Lemonade Out of Lemons

Posted August 11th, 2023

Question: I have a donor who is considering making a noncash gift at year-end. In addition to giving highly appreciated securities, what are other options I should discuss with them?            Answer: Even the shrewdest investor occasionally buys a stock that turns out to be a “dog.”  Continuing to hold declining stock, hoping for an upturn, …Read More

Simple Steps to Raising More

Posted August 11th, 2023

Publicly traded securities—such as stocks and mutual funds—that have been held for more than one year are the noncash assets most frequently donated to charities. With a gift of securities, donors may deduct the full value of the securities instead of what they originally paid, and donors avoid any capital gains tax they would owe …Read More

Philanthropy Puzzler: Bonds…Saving Bonds

Posted June 27th, 2023

Question: A donor has U.S. savings bonds purchased years before and would like to use them to make a charitable gift. Can the donor give the bonds, similar to giving shares of stock, and avoid any tax on the increase in the bonds’ value? Answer: Treasury rules don’t allow you to transfer the bonds directly …Read More