by Eddie Thompson | Oct 15, 2025 | Donor Communications
Not long ago, someone asked me how donor relationships have evolved over my career. That word, “evolve,” made me pause. Does it mean “improved” or simply “changed?” The truth is, relationships have changed a lot, but it hasn’t always been for the better. The...
by Eddie Thompson | Sep 8, 2025 | Charitable Estate Planning, Donor Communications
Over the years working with nonprofits, I’ve seen a range of organizational strengths. Some excel at branding; others cultivate deep, long relationships. However, I rarely see one that excels at both. Branding creates broad recognition. People may see your logo and...
by Eddie Thompson | Dec 12, 2024 | Charitable Estate Planning, Donor Communications
When someone dies intestate (i.e. without a valid will), state laws determine how their assets are distributed. Intestacy laws vary by state but generally prioritize spouses, children, and other close relatives. However, the process is far from straightforward....
by Eddie Thompson | Oct 23, 2024 | Charitable Estate Planning, Development Management, Donor Communications
State and federal tax laws regarding estate and gift planning are pretty straightforward—at least on the surface, but the efficacy of their applications differ between cases. For example, testamentary charitable lead trusts are a good option for some donors, but just...
by Eddie Thompson | Jun 17, 2024 | Development Management, Donor Communications
I’ll be the first to admit that I lean old school in many ways. Many of these classic principles have withstood the test of time: systematic donor cultivation that creates long-lasting relationships; discovering donor values and priorities rather than simply declaring...
by Eddie Thompson | Mar 11, 2024 | Charitable Estate Planning, Development Management, Donor Communications
Grant Whitney joined Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences and served there for over 20 years, leading the university’s largest planned gift recognition effort—responsible for enrolling more than 1,000 alumni and friends as new members of the John...
