by Eddie Thompson | Jan 19, 2016 | Charitable Estate Planning
Several years ago I posted an article based on thousands of conversations with donors about planned gifts as a part of their overall estate plan. From Helping Donors Answer Their Most Perplexing Questions: “Anyone who has ever toyed with the idea of making a planned...
by Eddie Thompson | Sep 14, 2015 | Charitable Estate Planning, Donor Communications
Fundraisers are a lot like professional matchmakers. They regularly introduce eligible people to their organizations, point out all the most admirable qualities, and hope those potential donors will fall in love and begin lifelong relationships. If they can win hearts...
by Eddie Thompson | Aug 13, 2015 | Charitable Estate Planning, Donor Communications
In a previous post I wrote about Benjamin Franklin’s 200-year endowments to the cities of Philadelphia and Boston. His testamentary gift was made for the express purpose of helping young men establish themselves by funding apprenticeships. Like so many planned gifts,...
by Eddie Thompson | Apr 10, 2015 | Charitable Estate Planning
Sheryl and I lost our only grandchild ten years ago this month. As they so often say, “You can eventually get beyond that kind of tragedy, but you never really get over it.” Even as I write this story, the sense of loss is still very real. On the morning of April 2,...
by Eddie Thompson | Nov 17, 2014 | Charitable Estate Planning
In 2006 Warren Buffet made his Philanthropic Pledge, the decision to leave 99% of his wealth to charity during his lifetime or at his death. Bill and Melinda Gates have made a similar commitment (95% to charity). Together with Buffet, the Gateses are challenging their...
by Eddie Thompson | Oct 17, 2014 | Charitable Estate Planning, Development Management
There’s an irrefutable law of nonprofit leadership: Consistent growth and long-term sustainability are largely dependent on an organization’s ability to monitor and maintain a healthy balance between 1) solicitation of gifts from discretionary income and 2)...
