News
May 4, 2021. Before we can “sell” planned giving to donors, we have to sell it to our organization. While decision-makers might be development directors, executive directors, board members, or others, this webinar focuses on the toughest customer to increase investment in philanthropy: the CFO.
April 20, 2021. Eddie spends time with Jodi Davis, Chief Philanthropy Officer with California healthcare provider Sutter Health. In this 9-minute podcast, Jodi shares the approach she utilizes to learn everyday, making life more enjoyable and people and situations more interesting; the three best questions to ask your donors to clarify their needs; knowing when to let donors go; and, the importance of reminding people why philanthropy exists at her organization, and why it’s more important than ever right now.
April 13, 2021. You likely recognize this popular book trilogy by none other than Alex Brovey titled Zen and the Art of Fundraising. We sit down with Alex to discuss what compelled her to write the first book, which quickly grew into a trilogy, and how this practical series can empower fundraisers to be successful.
March 30, 2021. Join Pamela Davidson and Eddie Thompson as they review sample situations that may come up in your everyday conversations and how to listen and respond.
March 25, 2021. Eddie sits down with Joe Chickey, from the Sharpe Group. Joe shares what he learned when a donor made an eight-figure gift to another charity; what’s critically important to the success of a planned giving program; how to calculate the percentage of planned giving dollars your organization ought to be raising; and, why you should treat donors like family.
February 23, 2021. Join us as we talk with Mark Larkin, President of Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Foundation. Mark shares how you can get much greater levels of giving (for the same amount of time spent); the three components he looks for to replenish his major giving list; the key to a successful fundraising event or capital campaign, and more!
February 9, 2021. For our next industry leader, you likely have one of her books on your shelf. Join Eddie as he sits down with industry veteran, Alexandra Brovey, to hear what she has learned during her 21 years in gift planning.
January 21, 2021. These supporters are the best prospects for making a major gift of assets because they have both ability to give and interest in giving to your organization. But, how do you know who they are?
January 12, 2021. Join Eddie as he talks with 20-year planned giving marketing veteran Nathan Stelter, President of The Stelter Company, where Nathan shares the quality he thinks one must acquire for success; the most important component to hiring a new team member, & more!
December 22, 2020. As you prepare to take some time away from the office (or your home office desk!) for the holidays, we have the perfect fireside reading recommendation for you.
December 15, 2020. Hear a short message from our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson about the astounding possibilities that 2021 offers.
December 8, 2020. Join Eddie as he talks with Larry Katzenstein, a nationally-known authority on estate planning and planned giving. Larry divides his practice between representation of wealthy individuals in estate planning matters and serving as outside counsel to planned giving programs at nonprofits nationwide.
December 1, 2020. In preparation for Giving Tuesday, we’ve compiled these resources for you to have meaningful conversations with your supporters about the opportunities available for year-end planning in 2020.
November 24, 2020. In preparation for Giving Tuesday, we’ve compiled these resources for you to have meaningful conversations with your supporters about the opportunities available for year-end planning in 2020.
November 20, 2020. Located outside of Chicago, Illinois, learn how Riverside Healthcare Foundation utilizes two days of our planning services and has maintained a full schedule (with a waiting list!) during the pandemic, amidst furloughs and quarantines.
November 10, 2020. Eddie talks with 30-year industry veteran Lynn Ierardi, Director of Gift Planning at University of Pennsylvania and consultant with Gift Planning Advisor in this 11-minute podcast where she shares virtues she’s learned that serve her well in the gift planning world, and more!
November 5, 2020. Located outside of Chicago, Illinois, learn how Riverside Healthcare Foundation utilizes two days of our planning services and has maintained a full schedule (with a waiting list!) during the pandemic, amidst furloughs and quarantines.
October 27, 2020. Now more than ever, many organizations (and their decision-makers) are focused on getting cash in the door now. In this 13-minute podcast, hear Dr. Russell James shares easy ways to begin building your case to sell philanthropy to your organization’s leadership.
October 20, 2020. We sit down with Alice Ayres, President and CEO of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), as they prepare to kick off their Annual International Conference this week, the largest gathering of health care development professionals.
October 15, 2020. We challenge you to reach out to at least 10 of your supporters to discuss the importance of estate planning. This is the perfect opportunity to invite them into the planning process! Scripts and conversational questions are included to help start the conversation.
October 9, 2020. We are thrilled to announce that our very own Senior Vice President, Johni Hays, JD, FCEP, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners at their 2020 national conference, held virtually.
September 15, 2020. With Crescendo’s Practical Planned Giving Conference kicking off digitally today, we took a moment to sit down and talk with Crescendo Interactive’s President and CEO Charles Schultz.
August 20, 2020. We hope by going virtual this year that more nonprofit professionals are able to join us without the expense of travel. For the first time, we are offering breakout sessions to hear ideas on how to excel in specific areas. AND, all of this year’s content will be recorded for future viewing!
August 6, 2020. Founder and CEO, Eddie Thompson, shares his experience with current planning and continued giving. Also, we’d love to hear from you! Please take 3 minutes to complete a short survey to let us know how we can better support you.
July 29, 2020. Don’t miss Shannon Duval share practical and powerful suggestions to be a better fundraiser. She discusses several mistakes early in her career and how overcoming them has allowed her to achieve her current success.
July 8, 2020. In this series’ tenth installment, hear industry veteran Sid Mallory candidly tell his own stories of mishap on his way to becoming a highly knowledgeable and successful fundraiser. Listen as the AHP Fellow and former recipient of AHP’s Si Seymour Award explains the lessons he’s learned during his prestigious career. Sid’s simple reminders will help keep you on a successful track!
June 29, 2020. Our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson has been elected to serve a three-year term beginning January 2021.
June 26, 2020. You can now customize the A Gift for You brochures with your logo, organization name, associate’s name, and your own testimonials!
June 23, 2020. Our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson talks with one of the nation’s leading health care philanthropy professionals with more than three decades of experience, Bill Littlejohn from Sharp Healthcare. Bill has led and directed philanthropic programs that have generated nearly a billion dollars. In this podcast, Bill shares his philosophy and drive for philanthropy, cautions of easy traps to fall into, and inspires professionals what to truly focus on as fundraisers to achieve lasting impact.
May 22, 2020. Taken from the CDC’s recommended guidelines, we’ve established parameters to keep our nonprofit clients, their supporters and our associates safe and healthy as we resume onsite meetings.
April 3, 2020. We are living through unprecedented times. While much of the country and the world has been forced to close, the supporters our organizations serve still need us – maybe now more than ever. So we want to help you be as effective as possible. We have compiled some resources to help you navigate through this time and continue your great work of helping others.
March 30, 2020. Healthcare philanthropy is facing unprecedented challenges. As industry partners, Blackbaud, Advancement Resources, Accordant Philanthropy, and Thompson & Associates, have joined forces to address pressing questions during this time. Join us for this series to understand what fundraising in the new normal may look like.
March 19, 2020. During this crazy and unprecedented time, know that Thompson & Associates is still here to serve you and your supporters!
March 12, 2020. Listen in as our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson talks with industry legend Jerry Linzy from Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners, Inc. Jerry shares the 3 simple roles of a nonprofit’s board, the key question for new board members, how philanthropy today differs from the 1980s, an industry-wide challenge facing philanthropy, and more!
February 20, 2020. Listen in with our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson’s conversation with industry thought leader, David Flood, Senior VP and CDO for Intermountain Healthcare. Don’t miss this powerful episode where David shares humble lessons he’s learned in his philanthropy career, including what Eddie calls the most important lesson in fundraising!
February 14, 2020. In this podcast, Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson shares 6 reasons why individuals fall in love with an organization, leaving them an estate gift. Eddie shares ways to cultivate your donor relationships, making a “match” much more likely among your supporters.
February 7, 2020. The SECURE Act provides an incredible opportunity for nonprofits to talk to their supporters about the advantages of leaving retirement accounts to charity. We want to equip you to utilize this opportunity by providing you these resources to inform, educate and help your supporters.
January 29, 2020. The start of 2020 is the perfect time to reflect and refresh our routines and processes. This case study shares proven strategies for how a fellow Thompson & Associates client, the Saint Louis Zoo, has strengthened their program.
January 24, 2020. Listen in with our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson’s conversation with industry leader, Steve Orr, Managing Partner of the Orr Group. Steve shares what he’s learned from his 30+ years in the nonprofit industry, having come from New York City’s financial district.
January 16, 2020. Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson proposes a new pyramid corresponding to an individual’s affinity to your organization and how developing passion for your mission leads to greater financial support for your organization.
January 8, 2020. Listen in on our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson’s conversation with industry leader, Michael Kenyon, President and CEO of the National Associate of Charitable Gift Planners (NACGP). Michael shares 2 simple reminders to keep in mind for your day-to-day work.
December 23, 2019. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (known as the “SECURE Act”) was signed into law by the president on December 20, 2019, and becomes effective January 1, 2020. The SECURE Act has several provisions that will impact how taxpayers may save for retirement and what they may do with their retirement funds. Most of these changes are helpful to taxpayers, but not all of them.
December 11, 2019. You don’t want to miss this conversation! In this episode, Eddie talks with Bruce Bartoo, CFRE, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer for MedStar Health. Bruce packs in tremendous insights he’s learned over his career. This is so good, Eddie encourages bookmarking to listen to every few weeks!
November 12, 2019. In this episode, Cayce and Bill discuss why owning property in another state is a potential problem when you pass away; how people can avoid transfer issues with out-of-state property; tips to help determine if a donor has property in another state, and more.
November 8, 2019. In this episode, Eddie talks with one of health care philanthropy’s most provocative thought leaders, Betsy Chapin Taylor, FAHP, where she shares what she wishes she could change about the industry; how to view donors and what they really wish to achieve; what’s required of us to provide to donors to really create impact, and more!
November 1, 2019. Our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson sits down with President and CEO of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (NACGP) to talk about the association’s great work and resources available to the industry.
October 15, 2019. Fundraisers today face an increasing number of obstacles to overcome in their everyday work, such as budget cuts, leadership not grasping the importance of fundraising, wearing too many hats, etc. This 60-minute webinar will explore how to overcome the biggest challenges facing fundraisers.
October 10, 2019. Did you know the third week in October every year is National Estate Planning Awareness Week? It’s quickly approaching this year… October 21-27. This is an excellent opportunity to reach out to your supporters!
September 25, 2019. Listen in as Brian shares with Eddie how his humbling cancer diagnosis has reshaped his focus on charitable planning; how to approach and stay close to supporters facing a serious health diagnosis; and, the important lesson he learned focusing on what donors want to accomplish for themselves, their families and the organizations they support.
September 17, 2019. In this episode, Cayce and Bill discuss how states handle estate planning documents executed in another state; what happens if documents are prepared in another state; and more!
September 10, 2019. Eddie Thompson, CEO and Founder, brings incredible insight and inspiring stories interviewing leaders from different perspectives of the fundraising community: higher education, healthcare, consultants, academia and more!
August 29, 2019. When was the last time you received formal training on how to solicit a gift? Whether it’s been way too long (if ever) or if you’d simply like to learn a few helpful tips, this webinar will prepare you for your year-end asks! Gain confidence and eliminate any fear of asking your supporters to join your worthy cause.
August 13, 2019. In this episode, Cayce and Jason discuss what we mean by a “Brady Bunch” family; what happens to assets (accounts and real estate/homes) if planning doesn’t specifically consider different scenarios, and how as development officers, what can we be listening for to know if our donors have this issue?
July 31, 2019. For much of his career, our Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson has focused on what makes outstanding organizations outstanding. In this podcast episode, Eddie compares the winning traditions of two sports franchises to apply to the nonprofit world.
July 25, 2019. In this episode, Cayce and Jason discuss problems created by lack of planning for people recently married and/or divorced; practical things people need to do when they get married or divorced; and, as development officers, what can we be listening for to know if our donors have this issue?
July 18, 2019. Take a listen as Eddie shares questions to ask yourself as you prepare to fill these positions, along with questions to ask your candidates to find the perfect fit.
July 2, 2019. In this episode, Cayce and Jason discuss recent estate tax law changes, reducing married couples’ estate tax using a bypass trust, and why a good bypass trust a few years ago may not be good planning now.
June 25, 2019. What’s more important – a donor’s capacity to give or propensity to give? Listen in as Eddie shares why this is so important, along with specific questions to ask to determine both capacity AND propensity.
June 20, 2019. Introducing our two guest client speakers speaking on Building a Strategy for Success and Introducing & Inviting Donors into the Process for our annual conference in Nashville this September! This complimentary conference has also been approved for 9.5 CFRE continuing education points.
June 18, 2019. In this episode, Cayce and Jason discuss the brief history of estate tax law and the “use it or lose it” exemption, how DSUEA can be preserved, and how as development officers, what we can be listening for to know if our donors have this issue.
June 12, 2019. We invite you to take a moment to hear Eddie Thompson, Founder & CEO of Thompson & Associates, share his story of how his father’s example inspired his personal course for philanthropy and his passion to positively impact others.
May 16, 2019. Join us on Thursday, May 30th to hear Founder and CEO Eddie Thompson explore how fundraising can help your organization thrive in today’s healthcare industry.
April 24, 2019. In this episode, Cayce and Jason discuss a brief history of estate tax law and the exemption amounts; the importance of the charitable deduction to avoid estate tax; and whether estate planning just to avoid estate tax?
April 18, 2019. Recently, we interviewed one of our oldest and most successful clients. Read the resulting case study to learn how they’ve been successful for so long!
April 9, 2019. Be among the stars! Nashville is where the stars want to be! Not just in country music, but also philanthropy! Registration is open to join our top stars in major gifts and planned giving this fall. It is sure to be an unforgettable time!
April 3, 2019. Estate planning is not just about what happens upon death. It also involves lifetime planning – what happens while you’re living. The National Healthcare Decisions Day movement exists to highlight the importance of this preparation, called advance care planning.
March 19, 2019. Eddie talks about building long-term relationships with donors and the importance of having thoughtful preparation for these meetings, whether it be a friend, long-time board member or potential donor.
February 27, 2019. Eddie applies best-selling author Jim Collins findings from his book Good to Great to the nonprofit fundraising world.
Save the Date!
2019 Annual Conference. We’ve pushed back our annual conference dates for 2019 so that those that cannot usually make our conference can join us! Save the date for Monday, September 30-Tuesday, October 1, 2019. Stay tuned for more details.
December 14, 2018. Why would someone add a child to a financial account? What are the problems with adding someone as an owner of a financial account? What are better options to accomplish the same thing?
November 26, 2018. How will the recent mid-term elections impact your organization and supporters?
August 6, 2018. Our annual conference July 30-31 in Nashville, Tennessee was a wonderful success! We enjoyed having nonprofit professionals join us from all over the country for a day and a half of sharing and encouraging, reinvigorating us for an awesome year ahead!