Searching for a specific article? Access every article since 1997 to find what you’re looking for.
When it comes to planned giving, showing appreciation for your donors goes a long way. 1. Personal visits. There is no better way to express appreciation for a gift, especially a large one, than meeting face-to-face with your donor. 2. Notes and phone calls. In addition to sending the acknowledgement required for tax purposes, a…
Once again, there have been dire predictions for charitable giving after Giving USA published their 2024 findings showing inflation-adjusted giving fell in 2023. The way charities fare in tough times depends on several things, particularly their reaction to the first signs of a recession. Inexperienced decision-makers may understandably err on the side of caution and…
Have you ever been told that marketing planned giving will negatively impact current giving? The academic research by Dr. Russell James and others indicates the opposite is true and that planned giving donors continue to make and even increase their current giving. History also indicates that planned gifts are especially important during times of economic…
With the state of the economy, recent tax law and other legislative changes, ongoing conflicts overseas, the outcome of local and national elections and other factors, Americans will likely be reevaluating where they will focus their charitable giving in the future. In some cases, donors may be newly drawn to your organization’s mission—or they may…
Shauna Scherer, MPA, CFRE®, is a certified fundraising executive and senior vice president for advancement at Population Connection and Population Connection Action Fund in Washington, DC, where she oversees all fundraising initiatives. Sharpe Insights: How long have you worked for Population Connection? What is your other work experience? Shauna: I began my journey with Population…
Your organization’s gift planning website should be simple, clear and easy for older individuals (i.e., your best gift planning prospects) to use. When designing your site, the physical challenges your 65+ audience could be facing, such as a decline in vision, arthritic joints, hearing loss, reduced short-term memory and poor eye-hand coordination, should be considered….
The worldwide pandemic has “officially” been over for some time, so now may be an ideal time to assess the health of your planned giving program and make adjustments going forward. And if your organization doesn’t have a planned giving program, the time to start one is now! Relevant facts and figures There…
We are often asked by our clients which channel (print or digital) is the most effective way to identify and attract planned giving donors. Let’s answer that question with a question: Who remembers the Saturday Night Live “New Shimmer” skit with Chevy Chase? Is it a floor wax? Is it a dessert topping? It’s both!…
…And Many, Many More We hope you have enjoyed a glimpse of Sharpe Group milestones as much as we have. From our founding in 1963 to today, those of us at Sharpe are grateful and honored to serve the nonprofit community. Did we miss one of your favorite memories? If so, we’d love to hear…
While sometimes it’s tempting to create brand-new resolutions at the beginning of the New Year, most of the time it’s best to resolve to improve on a practice or habit you already have in place. For 2024, our recommendation is to make your planned giving website the best it can be. Here are some simple…