Sharpe Insights: Conversations With Your Planned Giving Experts

Socrates, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Gandalf the Grey walk into a donor meeting … In this mind-bending episode, Dr. Russell James reveals the power of using questions as a means of self-discovery to help guide donors into making their gift of a lifetime.

Panelist info:

Host Grant Miller is an award-winning creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Dr. Russell James is a professor of Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University and one of the nation’s leading experts on charitable giving. Dr. James has published more than 150 works on philanthropy and behavioral economics and is frequently cited by media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Taking a break from checking those lists (twice) we’ve got Barlow Mann in the Insights studio at the North Pole office for a lively Q&A with the Sharpe elves—host Grant Miller and special guest Teri Sullivan. They talk tax law changes, December giving strategies and the best-laid plans for 2026.

Panelist info:

Santa’s elf and podcast host Grant Miller is an award-winning creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Barlow “Santa” Mann, JD. Sharpe Group’s General Counsel, attended National Planned Giving Institute Seminars, joining the faculty in the late 1970’s. He began his career at several university development offices and a healthcare center. In his decades at Sharpe Group, he has focused on consulting, seminar training and developing planned and major gift marketing efforts for small, medium and large nonprofit organizations.

Santa’s elf #2, Teri Sullivan, is the vice president of marketing for Sharpe Group. She has been a marketing professional for more than three decades. Prior to joining Sharpe, she was led promotion strategies for a public broadcasting station and served on the board of a literacy organization.

In this episode of Sharpe Insights: Conversations with Your Planned Giving Experts, I, Grant Miller, delve into the world of donor-advised funds (DAFs) and their transformative potential for philanthropy. Joining me is Sarah Barba, an expert in philanthropy and tax policy, who shares her insights on why DAFs have surged in popularity among donors. We discuss the flexibility, tax advantages, and ease of use that make DAFs an attractive option for charitable giving. Sarah clarifies the mechanics of DAFs, including how they can streamline grant-making while providing donors with advisory privileges. We also explore the implications of recent legislative changes and how fundraisers can adapt to engage effectively with DAF donors. Tune in for expert tips and practical strategies to enhance your planned giving efforts.

Are digital assets the “unknown unknowns?” In a timely discussion with host Grant Miller, Sharpe Group technical consultant Chris Woehrle sheds some light on the role they can play in estate planning and planned giving.

Panelist info:

Host Grant Miller is an award-winning creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Chris Woehrle, JD, LLM is a technical consultant for Sharpe Group, writing and editing our advisory communications. A magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University, Chris earned his JD and LLM (Taxation) from the Widger School of Law at Villanova University, where he is a member of the Graduate Tax Program Advisory Board. He also teaches charitable gift planning and principles of wealth management in the LLM taxation program.

Meaningful donor relationships don’t happen overnight—they happen over time. And sometimes you have to go off the beaten path. Join host Grant Miller as he talks to Sharpe Senior Consultant Joe Chickey who shares his own fundraising stories that will provide creative ideas for connecting with donors beyond the donor visit.

Panelist info:

Host Grant Miller is an award-winning creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Joe Chickey, MBA, CFP®, Sharpe Group Senior Vice President and Senior Consultant, brings more than 30 years of experience to gift planning. He assesses planned giving programs for Sharpe clients and helps them create and enhance their planned giving strategic plans.

Though they may not be the starting quarterback, advisors do play an important role in helping the gift reach the “finish line.” Host Grant Miller and Chris Woehrle discuss how and why to make engagement with attorneys, accountants and financial advisors a part of your program strategy.

Host Grant Miller is an award-winning creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Chris Woehrle, JD, LLM is a technical consultant for Sharpe Group, writing and editing our advisory communications. A magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University, Chris earned his JD and LLM (Taxation) from the Widger School of Law at Villanova University, where he is a member of the Graduate Tax Program Advisory Board. He also teaches charitable gift planning and principles of wealth management in the LLM taxation program.

Having a basic understanding of the OBBBA is essential when communicating with donors. Planned giving fundraising expert Phil Purcell explains what has changed, what hasn’t changed, the best gifts to promote this year and next and how, overall, the tax benefits for philanthropy are alive and well.

Panelist info:

Host Grant Miller is an award-winning creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Phil Purcell is currently the director of planned giving for the Salvation Army Central Territory and editor of Planned Giving Today. Phil has guided countless nonprofits through the complexities of tax law, charitable tools and fundraising strategy. Additionally, he is a 2025 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Hall of Fame inductee.

With trillions of dollars at stake, the Great Wealth Transfer has been a hot topic in the nonprofit and financial communities for decades. In this episode, the Sharpe Group team, led by Barlow Mann, break down what’s truth (and what’s fiction), which assets Boomers have to give and how to ensure your charity gets a piece of the pie.

Panelist info:

Host Grant Miller is a creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Barlow Mann, Esq. Sharpe Group’s General Counsel, attended National Planned Giving Institute Seminars, joining the faculty in the late 1970’s. He began his career at several university development offices and a healthcare center. In his decades at Sharpe, he has focused on consulting, seminar training and developing planned and major gift marketing efforts for small, medium and large nonprofit organizations.

Julie Schuldner, Senior Consultant, has experience working with national health research organizations and national environmental and scientific education organizations, as well as small nonprofits of various different types of missions. She focuses on data appends and analytics, engagement strategies for donors and prospects, staff and board training on ethics, storytelling and marketing, and how to have the planned giving conversation.

Kristin Croone, JD, Sharpe Group Senior Consultant, has worked for both law and accounting firms and has served as director of planned giving and legal counsel for the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. In addition, Kristin has valuable experience in donor stewardship as well as tax and estate planning law and processes, including estate settlement.

Joe Chickey, MBA, CFP®, Sharpe Group Senior Vice President and Senior Consultant, brings more than 30 years of experience to gift planning. He assesses planned giving programs for Sharpe clients and helps them create and enhance their planned giving strategic plans.

Like peas and carrots. Sharpe consultants Julie Schuldner and Kristin Croone join host Grant Miller in a lively discussion about integrating planned giving into your year-end giving messaging. They share proven year-end communications strategies for success and discuss mistakes to avoid during the most generous time of the year.

Panelist info:

Host Grant Miller is an award-winning creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Kristin Croone, JD, Sharpe Group Senior Consultant, has worked for both law and accounting firms and has served as director of planned giving and legal counsel for the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. In addition, Kristin has valuable experience in donor stewardship as well as tax and estate planning law and processes, including estate settlement.

Julie Schuldner, MBA, CFRE®, Sharpe Group Senior Consultant, works with many Sharpe clients to analyze and update their donor data, plan their planned giving strategies and create effective donor communications.

What happens when that “perfect” gift isn’t what it seems? Sharpe Group consultants Kristin Croone, Joe Chickey, Julie Schuldner and special guest, Christopher Woehrle, share their knowledge from personal experience about gifts that hit a bump in the road. Learn what to look for and—most importantly—steps to take to keep good gifts from going bad.

Panelist info:

Host Grant Miller is an award-winning creative writer and senior editor with Sharpe Group.

Chris Woehrle, JD, LLM is a technical consultant for Sharpe Group, writing and editing our advisory communications. A magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University, Chris earned his JD and LLM (Taxation) from the Widger School of Law at Villanova University, where he is a member of the Graduate Tax Program Advisory Board. He also teaches charitable gift planning and principles of wealth management in the LLM taxation program.

Joe Chickey, MBA, CFP®, Sharpe Group Senior Vice President and Senior Consultant, brings more than 30 years of experience to gift planning. He assesses planned giving programs for Sharpe clients and helps them create and enhance their planned giving strategic plans.

Kristin Croone, JD, Sharpe Group Senior Consultant, has worked for both law and accounting firms and has served as director of planned giving and legal counsel for the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. In addition, Kristin has valuable experience in donor stewardship as well as tax and estate planning law and processes, including estate settlement.

Julie Schuldner, MBA, CFRE®, Sharpe Group Senior Consultant, works with many Sharpe clients to analyze and update their donor data, plan their planned giving strategies and create effective donor communications.