Robert F. Sharpe, Jr. passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on February 4, 2022.

He was a dynamic, legendary, larger-than-life figure within the planned giving community.  He was constantly speaking on any number of planned giving and charitable giving topics at conferences around the country.  Nearly every ACGA and NACGP conference had Robert speaking on one topic or another. 

This year, October 19 through October 25 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. If you are thinking, is that a real thing - you are not alone. Here’s something else to know – since 2008, every third week in October has been designated for this occasion. So go ahead and put the week on your calendar for next year too. The information below will shed additional light on the topic:

1. The History of National Estate Planning Awareness Week

My, how times have changed. Over the course of the spring, I had arrangements for two local council speaking engagements and three presentations at regional CGP conferences. All canceled of course. Fortunately, my airline was generous with its cancellation protocol.

As estate planning surges in the US and donors require high-touch support to navigate this unique moment, savvy nonprofits are doubling down on gift planning in 2020.

Right now, gift planners are combining their dual abilities to nurture deep personal relationships and explain more complicated giving vehicles to help steer nonprofit organizations through the current storm. We’d like to remind you of a few facts about planned gifts that challenge the “cash is king” mentality that nonprofit leaders often fall back to during economic downturns.