Sharpe Blog

Question: What is building organizational sustainability? What it really means is answered with a series of questions: How much does your organization have in reserves for bad times? Does your organization consider the reserves to be AS important as your mission? How do you measure reserves? How do you build reserves? Having the opportunity to …Read More

It’s no secret most charitable organizations receive a large percentage of their gifts in the final quarter of the year, with most gifts arriving in October and December. But simply knowing year-end is a popular time to give is not enough to ensure your organization receives its share. Understanding how and why people choose to …Read More

For charitable organizations that offer gift annuities and the donors who love them, there is some good news in 2022. The American Council on Gift Annuities, which promotes responsible philanthropy and periodically reviews and adjusts recommended maximum rates for charitable gift annuities, has issued new suggested maximum rates for adoption, effective July 1. These rates …Read More

In late March, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Securing a Strong Retirement Act (SECURE 2.0). Presently, the bill is under review in the Senate, and changes are possible. There are a number of provisions that may either make it to the finalized bill or be considered again by a future Congress. Here …Read More

The next issue of Sharpe Insights will examine the tax consequences of crowdfunding for donors, donees and charitable recipients in the article “The Future Is Here for Cryptocurrency!” A recent out-of-court settlement agreement between the state of Minnesota attorney general and an online crowdfunding organizer reminds solicitors and funders of significant non-tax risks. A Noble …Read More

The IRS’s recent fact sheet reminds crowdfunding solicitors of their reporting obligations under the Internal Revenue Code. Crowdfunding is a web-based method of soliciting contributions from large groups of people. The solicitors of the funds are either organizers on behalf of other people or the beneficiaries themselves. The technique often is employed to assist those …Read More

Work and personal preferences are changing. These days we expect instant access and information to our interests and hobbies–from exercise tips and sports scores to social causes and work being done by our favorite nonprofits. Our means of communication has evolved from face-to-face meetings and phone calls on a landline into Zoom chats and ordering …Read More

The SECURE Act requires most non-spousal beneficiaries to draw down an inherited Roth or traditional IRA over a 10-year period without requiring a distribution during the first nine years after the death of the original owner.1 Certain “eligible designated beneficiaries,” such as a surviving spouse, disabled or chronically ill beneficiaries or a minor, are exempted …Read More

Often, Sharpe consultants are asked about various gift metrics, such as the average size of a major gift or bequest. Over the years, we have responded that the answer depends on many factors, including the age of the charitable organization and number of donors or members, as well as the donors’ ages, wealth and other …Read More

You open up your iPhone and note an email from one of your supporters. He or she asks: “Is this advertisement legitimate?” The ad reads: Capital Gains Tax Eliminated CAPITAL GAINS tax legally eliminated on the Sale of Real Estate, Stocks, C-Corporations, S-Corporations, Livestock, Family Businesses and even if selling to family members without having …Read More