Wanna know a SECRET?  With a record $557 Billion donated in 2023 in the U.S., it is possible that a donor might ACTUALLY achieve all his or her tax and charitable goals---with nonprofits benefiting deeply---using a woefully underutilized tool.  What's it called?  The Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, or "CLAT."  It's like the Swiss Army knife of charitable giving.  And, a type of CLAT---known as an “iCLAT"---is a tool accessible to every CPA, wealth advisor, and trusts & estates attorney, and especially those working with moderate-to-wealthy clients.  Complex estate planning guru Brad Gornto explains it all to you!  

What are the key factors that motivate people to donate?  Motivations DO differ from other financial decisions like buying products or investing in the stock market.  And in the modern age of eroding trust, how is charitable effectiveness actually assessed?  Some charities are astronomically more effective than others.  Psychological research can be the key that helps donors understand their own motivations and the eternal dilemma of the “head vs. heart.”  Learn from Harvard researcher Matt Coleman, PhD about the power of motivation and how it impacts giving today!

With nearly $250 billion in donor-advised funds, DAFs are often criticized as vehicles for parking assets.  But, new models are addressing this concern.  Innovations are emerging to make DAFs more accessible and appealing to lower-level donors rather than being primarily tools for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.  Wealth managers are increasingly interested in philanthropic solutions for their clients.  And, cryptocurrency donations offer opportunities for expanding the philanthropic landscape. The next generation of donors—especially millennials and Gen Z—are showing different values---and different assets---when it comes to philanthropy. How are we as professionals catering to these new philanthropic trends, and what role does technology play in this shift?  Alexis Miller from Endaoment gives insight on all of this---and more.

Relationships are everything.  So, why is it that nonprofits often come to donors with the never-ending ask, as if the donor or potential donor is simply an ATM?  What donor wants THAT kind of relationship with a nonprofit?  How do we shift our traditional fundraising methodology to something that feels more authentic and long-term, working with donors as valued partners, rather than simply short-term and transactional---to create overarching success---from both the donor's AND the nonprofit’s point-of-view?  Author, donor, and charitable giving expert Lisa Zola Greer tells compelling stories about how it feels to be excluded from meaningful conversations---and what nonprofits can do to change that.  See the link to Lisa's new book here: The Essential Fundraiser’s Handbook: A Guide to Maximizing Donations, Retaining Donors, and Saving the Giving Sector for Good – Lisa Greer

What is a community foundation?  Why do they matter?  Many people have heard of them but could not quite tell you what they do, despite there being about 700 of them in the United States---and likely one near you!  Community foundations know their locales very well: they help facilitate millions in gifts to nonprofits focused on behavioral health, food scarcity, the environment, education, housing, and so many more themes.  How can you learn more about community foundations and their impact, including how they can use donor-advised funds for impact?  Chris Beach, Senior VP at The Minneapolis Foundation, passionately relays the importance of what community foundations bring to the table and how donor-advised funds play a critical role. 

Tax reform.  Tax Super Bowl.  Taxmageddon.  The expiring tax cuts of 2025 are getting people anxious!  There is a lack of education and understanding that members of Congress and their staff have about what the philanthropic sector really does.  Worse, threats to the sector are NUMEROUS and a bit unknown until election day on November 5, 2024.  And, U.S. legislators may be looking to nonprofits as a source of revenue!  Yikes!  What is to happen?  How will things look a little different from the 2017 “pro-growth” mindset of legislators seven years ago?  What can we collectively do about that?  Hear from Sara Barba, expert federal policy consultant and lobbyist for charities, as well as a principal at Integer, LLC, about her thoughts on what can happen next.  You can also e-mail her at [email protected] or visit the philanthropy portion of her website at integerpolicy.com/philanthropy-policy/ 

They call it the Great Wealth Transfer.  Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation could pass down a combined $84.4 trillion in assets to younger generations.  With current tax law sunsetting at the end of next year, how does this affect taxes?  How will families be affected?  And, how will philanthropy fit into this?  Listen in while bipartisan advocacy and lobbying expert Sandra Swirski offers timely thoughts and concerns that you will want to hear!

Getting the dollar amount of an ask right---in a gift solicitation---is incredibly important.  It saves time and face with a donor!  Are you presently going into gift conversations shooting from the hip---and/or burdened by your own biases around money?  Can you avoid the awkwardness of inappropriate ask amounts: either too high or too low?  How can you help donors you know make the right level of donation to make the maximum impact they can?  Larry Raff, creator of the Abacus Major Donor Ask Calculator, LLC---link here: PRICING | Free Trial - Abacus Major Donor Calculator (donorabacus.com)---schools us on the Science of the Ask, and how to laser-focus on the amount you SHOULD be asking for!

Internationally focused nonprofits have the same challenges U.S.-based nonprofits do---but sometimes those challenges are even more complex!  How do you build relationships with donors, be accountable to them, focus on innovation, use technology well, and transform critical partnerships all over the planet?  How does a global org juggle all these necessary tactics of fundraising?  Will it all fall apart without proper strategic leadership and execution?  Join us for a unique conversation to learn how Stephanie Guzman---VP of Development and the U.S. Director for the Kenya Education Fund---puts all the pieces together!

Cash comprises less than 10% of the average American's asset portfolio.  So, why do so many nonprofits endlessly solicit for cash gift donations only?  And why are so few NON-cash asset donations made?  Where did this all go wrong?  Non-cash asset donation expert Brad Caswell unpacks this conundrum---and how and why we should all be a lot more comfortable with this massive opportunity!  He tells us how to completely disrupt the cash trend in favor of what Americans can more easily donate: non-cash!