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For all of us, fall is traditionally the busiest time of the year. This year, the final three months will be more critical than ever for charitable organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19 and the economic crisis. With hopes of a vaccine on the horizon, donors could have a more positive outlook this fall. …Read More
Sharpe Give & Take Articles
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It’s About Simple, Consistent Communication—A Message From the CEO
With the global pandemic of the past few months, all of us have experienced the importance of relationships and the challenge of maintaining them when we can’t be together face to face. In my own life, my wife has been in an assisted living facility suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease. She is fortunate to receive …Read More
After COVID-19 Will There Be a “New Normal” for Donors?
In some parts of the country, governors and locally elected mayors are developing phased-in programs as “safe-at-home” orders are beginning to expire. As it appears, these elected officials are allowing their local businesses and nonprofit organizations to begin to return to, what many are calling, “the new normal.” At Sharpe Group, we have been inspired …Read More
Lessons We’ve Learned From Planned Giving Donors on Managing Times of Crisis
As people and businesses across the country adjust to the difficult circumstances of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, nonprofits are balancing addressing the needs of their donors while trying to ensure the financial well-being of their organization. Five Sharpe Group clients share their experiences and lessons learned while fundraising in unprecedented times. Donors continue to display …Read More
The Value of Stewardship, Part 1 of 2: First, Do No Harm
by Professor Christopher P. Woehrle Supporters with bequest intentions often can be motivated to accelerate their philanthropy during their lifetime. The donor enjoys seeing a personal vision being fulfilled, and the institution showcases its abilities as a good steward of current and future gifts. Ordinarily, connecting a donor’s passion that aligns, at least partially, with …Read More
Using 20/20 Hindsight for Future Planning: What Nonprofits Should Be Doing Now, Part 1 of 2
By Bob Mims, Sharpe Group CFO What we have learned about planning for future crises We are seeing the evidence with 20/20 hindsight that perhaps we did not plan well for a pandemic. Personally, I wish I had an extra bottle of hand sanitizer or wipes; I’m so thankful that my wife makes it a …Read More
Philanthropic Forecast for Bequests
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has released The Philanthropy Outlook, 2020 and 2021 in partnership with Marts & Lundy. Of particular interest to gift planners is the projected back-to-back growth of charitable bequests. The research indicates that charitable giving by estates should increase by 6.6% this year and by 6.5% next year. …Read More
Philanthropy Puzzler: The SECURE Act
The “Philanthropy Puzzler” features gift questions fundraisers may encounter in the field, followed by solutions from our panel of experts. If you would like to send us your own “puzzler,” please email us at info@SHARPEnet.com with “Philanthropy Puzzler” in the subject line. Philanthropy Puzzler Jerome’s three children (ages 48, 47 and 45) are named …Read More
How Secure Is Your Organization’s Prediction of the Impact of the SECURE Act Upon Your Fundraising Efforts?
Editor’s note: The following article was published prior to the coronavirus crisis and drafting of the CARES Act. Please note that the CARES Act has provided that RMDs be suspended for the remainder of 2020. Lead with charitable intent A review of the websites of leading charities would suggest the SECURE Act (“Act”) will …Read More
What is AI and Big Data, and Why Does It Matter to My Nonprofit?
Sharpe Group believes AI and Big Data is here to stay and will be used by nonprofits in a variety of ways, particularly for donor insights and development team training. Organizations in both the for-profit and nonprofit sector are witnessing an ever-changing growth in technology advances over this past decade. Data and bandwidth capacity in …Read More