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Like it or not, the key for a truly successful planned giving/endowment development strategy is to “take the long view.” Based on nearly 60 years of analyzing charities’ bequests, our research that forms the Sharpe KnowledgeBase® includes two important findings: First, you want to be in the LAST will because it’s the document that provides …Read More
Sharpe Insights Articles
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We Can Make This “S” Car Go: A Message From Our CEO
I’m a car guy. Over the course of my lifetime, I have owned many cars, the first one being a used 1953 Plymouth Coupe. My first new car was a black 1964 two-door Dodge Polara 500 with red and white interior, bucket seats and a center console. I migrated to convertibles starting with a 1970 …Read More
Back to the Basics: How a Program Assessment Was the Key to Success for The Wilderness Society
By Ainsley Willis Sharpe Insights talked to Sean Twomey, director of planned giving at The Wilderness Society, about his experience with Sharpe’s planned giving program assessment and its positive impact on their planned giving program. Sharpe conducted the initial assessment in 2008 and a revision in 2014—before Sean joined the staff. The Wilderness Society is …Read More
Women and Planned Giving: Working With Widows
By John Jensen, CFP® In a recent Sharpe Group blog, “Women and Giving,” senior consultant Kristin Croone outlined some notable differences between charitable giving by men and women that should be kept in mind when communicating with your female donors. Women live, on average, five years longer than men. Women control the majority of personal …Read More
Artificial Intelligence & Donor Insights
By Dennis Koerner, Ph.D. As technology continues to grow and evolve, artificial intelligence has captivated the world with its impressive advancements. Whether you talk to Siri on your iPhone or chat with a customer service chatbot on a website, you have already encountered AI in your everyday life. Artificial intelligence is everywhere (even though you …Read More
Charitable Giving: Good for Charities, Good for Donors
Studies show charitable giving can positively impact the health and well-being of donors. New brochure titles highlighting the benefits of giving for donors, including their own health and happiness, are now available for personalization. As our country moves forward with a renewed sense of hope, now would be a great time to remind your donors …Read More
America’s Inherent Nature Brings Hope for 2021
By Professor Christopher P. Woehrle, J.D., LL.M “In the United States, as soon as several inhabitants have taken an opinion or an idea they wish to promote in society, they seek each other out and unite together once they have made contact. From that moment, they are no longer isolated but have become a power …Read More
A Giving Haiku
April is National Poetry Month, and April 17 is International Haiku Poetry Day. As part of this issue’s focus on hope and renewal, we’d like to celebrate philanthropy with this unique poetry style in a giving haiku, and hopefully bring some smiles. Thank you for all you do for the community. total deductions more than …Read More
Planning the Adventure: A Message From Our CEO
In early 1958, my father and uncle came up with an awesome plan to take my younger brother, cousins and me on a road trip out west. The interstate system was in its infancy, so the idea was to make our way to Route 66 outside of St. Louis and then travel to California. We …Read More
Good News for Givers in 2021
Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act to help counter the immense ongoing challenges Americans are facing. The $900 billion plus relief bill is intended to aid individuals as well as businesses, while also encouraging charitable giving. To help communicate these changes to your donors, Sharpe Group has updated our 2020 …Read More