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See how much you know about the classic film! The original “Halloween” was released on Oct. 25, 1978. The movie is set in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. The Michael Myers mask was made from an altered William Shatner/Captain Kirk (Star Trek) mask. The Michael Myers character is listed as “The Shape” in the…
Every year is different, and the marketing channels have evolved. While once upon a time, a year-end appeal or two was sent via the USPS, now it can be more cost-effective to follow the “hybrid” approach of mailing to a select group (or groups) and sending a digital appeal to a broader group. With the…
Navigating the world of planned giving can often seem daunting for nonprofit professionals. In a recent episode of the Sharpe Insights podcast, Grant Miller sat down with Barlow Mann, a seasoned consultant with decades of experience in planned giving, to debunk common planned giving myths. The Myth of Complexity The belief that planned giving is…
Question: Does it matter what time of year we send communications on bequests and other planned gifts? Answer: Fall can be an excellent time for communication about charitable bequests. As leaves begin to turn and cooler temperatures return, this time of change can also be a season of anticipation and planning. Who is your audience?…
Add to calendar: National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Annual Conference 2026: Oct. 14-16 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Connect with Sharpe Group’s Barlow Mann and Teri Sullivan while you are there. Visit Home – 2026 CGP Conference for more information. National Estate Planning Awareness Week: Oct. 19-25. This week offers an opportunity to partner with…
Estate planning often feels daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. In a recent episode of our podcast Sharpe Insights: Conversations With Your Planned Giving Experts, host Grant Miller speaks with Jennifer Norton, attorney and founder of the Norton Estate Planning and Elder Law Firm, about how to approach estate planning as a means of clarity and…
As you enter the busy last quarter of the year, this month is the ideal time to fine-tune your year-end marketing plans. Sharpe Group recommends these successful strategies: ✔ Add year-end messaging to your web content. ✔ Update your donor data, such as address, age, wealth, income, etc., for year-end segmentation and marketing purposes. ✔…
First meetings with planned giving prospects don’t have to be a daunting experience. With proper preparation, you can come away with useful information that may eventually lead to a significant gift. Step One: Gather Information. Learn as much about the person as you can from your own files, from staff and volunteers who may know…
In honor of next month’s National Estate Planning Awareness Week, let’s examine three common errors in estate planning through the lens of notable celebrities. Pay particular attention to how the mistakes can be made by anyone regardless of wealth. The Chaos of Intestacy Prince was known for his artistic ability, independence, exacting standards and his…
At Sharpe we spend a great deal of time studying the charitable giving preferences by generation. From our extensive data in the Sharpe KnowledgeBase®, we have evidence that age can play as much a part in gift decisions as wealth. But if you read my August letter, you can see I have ice cream on…