While the final months of the year are often the busiest for charities from a fundraising perspective, this year there’s going to be another focus (a presidential election) that will at best fill up your donors’ voicemail, inbox and mailbox with campaign messages and at worst distract them from making their gifts. With 2024 well …Read More
As a consultant, I am sometimes asked for assistance that requires a creative approach. Recently, a client asked me to prepare an elevator pitch for their board members. Some of their board had indicated it would be helpful to have some talking points when they were in social situations. My client and I shared a …Read More
SmartAsset’s ad reads, “We’re 62 years old with $950K in IRAs. Is it too late to convert to a Roth IRA?” The debate relates to the individual’s income tax liability when converted and whether there is enough time to grow the account prior to potential income needs arising. How many of your donors may be …Read More
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
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 charitable beneficiary to their clients, this simply does not happen. …Read More
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) trustees are banks and trust firms that oversee trust …Read More
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 tax-efficient strategies for charitable giving. This may involve advising …Read More
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 for your donor Accountants work with clients to optimize …Read More