Sharpe Insights Articles

In this special edition of Sharpe Insights, we challenge you to test your year-end marketing knowledge. Read the full issue here. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or an eager novice, you’ll find helpful strategies and tips in our free 2025 Year-End Survival Guide. Download yours today.    For charities, the most generous time of the year is: …Read More

You don’t have to be an accountant, tax attorney or financial planner to be a successful fundraiser. You do, however, need to understand the tax basics and other financial benefits that can result from well-planned gifts so you can help motivated donors make the most of their charitable gift dollars at year-end. Keep in mind: …Read More

By Chris Woehrle On the 4th of July, President Trump signed the OBBBA into law, “permanently” extending the expiring provisions of 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Of course, tax law is only permanent until a future Congress and Presidential administration agree on the need to raise taxes and/or reduce spending. For now, most individual …Read More

With better data about your donors’ age and wealth, it becomes easier to tailor your planned giving messaging and deepen your relationship with them in order to discover what motivates their giving. For example, you may have a donor who is still in the workforce and providing funds for their elderly parent, while another donor …Read More

Mays Mission for the Handicapped, Inc., based in Heber Springs, Arkansas, is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by providing employment, training and support services. The organization has been serving people with physical and/or mental disabilities for over 50 years, focusing on enhancing their quality of life and promoting independence. For 46 of those years, …Read More

By Ashley McHugh In April of last year, Sharpe Insights sat down with Agnes Solatan, associate director of planned giving at Washington National Cathedral. We are highlighting a portion of her interview here.   Sharpe Insights: What led you to the Cathedral? Agnes: I’ve worked in fundraising for several years, first with Georgetown University and …Read More

By Grant Miller Jim Ray is senior director of gift planning for International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ). Growing up as the son of missionaries, he had the opportunity to see firsthand, while living abroad, the impact and power of others’ generosity. He is a graduate of Tennessee Temple University (now Carolina University) and …Read More

A planned giving program assessment identifies strengths and weaknesses and provides a frame of reference to evaluate planned gift development efforts and make adjustments as needed.   Finding gold in your estate files A good assessment can help you find information in past estate files to help you learn: If you are asking the right …Read More

For donors and development officers alike, summer involves spending time with family and friends, enjoying outdoor activities (or the latest summer blockbuster in an air-conditioned theater) and even taking a well-deserved vacation. Summer can also be an excellent time to plan your year-end strategy for planned giving and set goals for your funding efforts for …Read More

Gifts of securities are not always as straightforward as they may seem. Consider these important questions when working with your donors on these common gifts: 1. Who owns the security? If it is jointly held, for example, both parties must sign a stock power or letter of instruction to their broker. If the securities are …Read More