Blog
Charity’s Dual Mandate
It is a well-accepted fact that charities serve a dual mandate. On the one hand, there is a mission to accomplish. On the other hand, there is a donor base that makes this all possible. Merging mission with the support needed to accomplish the nonprofit’s goal is the...
Is your organization worthy of a gift?
In my discussions with donors over the years, the issue of continuing support to their charitable interests often comes up. Sometimes changes are in order for various reasons. The most disconcerting reason for such changes is that the charitable organization has lost...
Outdated CRT
We have recently found that donors who established Charitable Remainder Trusts years ago are in much different personal financial situations today than when they established the trusts. As a result, a revisit of the current operation of the trust to determine if it...
Recasting Donor Gifts
Several years ago a friend came to see me about his pending retirement. He had been the top sales person in his firm and the company was being sold. As he had no equity in the business, he would have to rely on the company provided retirement plan as well as his...
Need Some Volunteers?
I suggest that you look in your donor data base. See if you can identify those seniors who have been consistent donors and have now reduced their annual giving. I have encountered donors in this situation, who concerned with their late in life financial situation, are...
A Post Pandemic Christmas
I have some personal observations regarding the current state of affairs that surround me that might be helpful to you as you plan for 2022. Daily traffic, restaurants, travel, in person meetings, business interactions, personal savings, stock prices, and inflation...
Using Net Worth
Much of fundraising and gift planning is focused on gifts from income earned on the part of the donor. Given the increase in asset values during the past several decades, as well as the increase of those moving into the higher wealth categories, a renewed focus on...
Time Well Spent
One of the benefits of working in wealth management for 50 years has been the impact clients have made on the causes and organizations that they care about. Most have shared time, talents, and treasure resulting in improving the state of the world in various ways....
Social Capital
Social Capital is a term that may have different meanings for different people. A common definition is that it is a set of shared values that allows individuals to work together to effectively achieve a common purpose. In the context of financial planning, it has...
The Power of Planning
I have been fortunate to have enjoyed a 50 year career in wealth management. During the early years, it was necessary to stay motivated in the fact the benefits would be long term and that the results of our work would be realized in the future, much more than in the...