Sharpe Blog

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Matt Czyl   It’s been proven time and time again that charitable organizations receive much of their annual gifts in the final quarter of the year. As you begin formulating your communications strategy for the last part of 2023, it’s important to understand how and why people choose to give at this time of …Read More

Most people make charitable gifts to worthy causes and organizations that they believe do good work or with missions they are passionate about. Experienced fundraisers understand that larger gifts, whether current or deferred, do not occur without forethought. Many committed donors wish that they could give more; however, a variety of personal concerns can disrupt …Read More