SOCIAL CAPITAL: Investing in Federal Programs or Self-directed Philanthropy?

by Eddie Thompson | Apr 26, 2021 | Charitable Estate Planning, Donor Communications

After meeting with thousands of selected donors over the last 40 years and listening carefully to their desires and concerns for the succeeding generation, I pose three basic questions. These three basic questions have led to a significant philanthropic impact. In the...

STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY: Thinking Big in Light of Biden’s Proposed Tax Plan

by Eddie Thompson | Mar 12, 2021 | Charitable Estate Planning, Development Management

Last month’s post about the Biden Tax Plan painted a bleak picture for fundraisers and nonprofit leaders. While there are certain to be numerous negative tax implications for the wealthy under the Biden Administration (see The Biden Tax Plan), the other side of the...

THE BIDEN TAX PLAN: Nonprofits That Are Best Prepared to Succeed

by Eddie Thompson | Feb 15, 2021 | Charitable Estate Planning, Development Management

There has always been a balance between government’s responsibility to provide a safety net and the mandatory redistribution of personal and corporate wealth by means of taxation. On the one hand, no one wants to return to the harsh and heartless days of Victorian...

PERFORMANCE METRICS: Navigating the Murky Waters of Fundraising ROI

by Eddie Thompson | Jan 18, 2021 | Development Management

As we venture into 2021, I feel compelled to add a few comments about nonprofit plans and policies going forward. Specifically, I’m doubling down on my suggestion to establish consistent metrics, without which it’s impossible to tell how well or how poorly our...

FUNDRAISER FATIGUE: Maintaining Romanticized Optimism About Your Profession

by Eddie Thompson | Dec 28, 2020 | Professional Development

In my many discussions with fundraisers over the last nine months, one of the most frequent comments has been: “We’re so weary of talking about the Covid-19 pandemic and its ongoing impact on charitable giving.” That underlying anxiety (spoken or not) is magnified not...