Give and Take

Understanding probate fees is crucial when settling an estate. Learn about the costs involved, including attorney fees, court charges, and more to navigate probate effectively.

Should You Ask Visitors for Their Email? The answer depends on what you’re offering in exchange. I recently explored a nonprofit’s planned giving website and came across an option to download an eBrochure. “Great!” I thought. “Time to do some homework on the competition.” I clicked the link and was immediately presented with a popup requesting my name and email address in exchange for the eBrochure. I obliged (with an alias, of course). And … I was promptly redirected to a generic eBrochure that was clearly available to anyone, anytime—no personal information needed. The Value Exchange: Give and Take Look, if I give away my personal information, I expect to get something valuable in return. And I strongly suspect I’m not the only person who feels this way. So here’s my rule: If you’re asking for personal information on your website, make it worth your visitors’ while. Let them know upfront

The next four years are yours to shape, no matter who's in office. Success isn't luck — it's mindset, action, and personal growth. Staying in your comfort zone, no matter how hard you work, won't get you ahead. Growth requires discomfort, risk, and learning new skills. Every top performer faces fear but uses it to grow stronger. Will you survive and hope someone else fixes your life or thrive by taking charge? Life isn’t a ballot box—no one else can vote for your success.

Discover how to make a charitable gift from your retirement account with these 10 powerful tips. Maximize tax benefits and leave a lasting legacy.

Ensure your pets are cared for even after you're gone with comprehensive estate planning. Discover steps, tips, and legal options to secure your furry friends' future.

Or: How to Stop Being Busy and Start Being Effective I Didn’t Invent These Ideas. I Just Paid Attention. Let’s get one thing straight: I didn’t come up with any of this. What you’re about to read wasn’t born in a brainstorming session, packaged as a productivity course, or whispered by a guru in Bali. I learned these habits by listening to people who’ve actually mastered getting things done — and filtering out the noise. This is not a beautifully structured literary piece. It’s a somewhat disorganized brain dump of what works for me — the systems, rules, and random truths I’ve picked up from experience (and from people much smarter than I am). Treat it like a buffet: take what works, leave what doesn’t, and don’t expect a perfect narrative arc. What matters is whether you walk away with something useful — not whether it wins a writing award.

Learn how to obtain power of attorney for a parent or loved one with this detailed guide on the steps, legal requirements, and best practices.

When most people think about philanthropy, they envision cash donations or planned giving from stocks. But what about real estate? For donors looking to make a lasting impact, Realty Gift Fund (RGF) is leading the way in transforming real estate assets into significant charitable contributions. Realty Gift Fund (RGF) is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, meaning it is a charitable organization that is eligible to receive tax-deductible donations; its primary focus is facilitating the donation of real estate to other non-profit organizations. We sat down with Jay Grab, one of RGF’s experts, to discuss how the organization simplifies these complex transactions and amplifies donors’ legacies.

Learn how to obtain a death certificate with this comprehensive guide. Understand the requirements, steps, and uses of a death certificate to simplify the process during a difficult time.

Understanding property transfer without a will and the intestate succession process.

Learn how to designate a beneficiary for your 401(k) account to ensure your retirement savings are seamlessly passed on to your loved ones as per your wishes.

Learn how to make charitable donations in your will and create a lasting legacy that supports the causes you care about.

When I was a kid, I had to write prompt, heartfelt thank-you notes to anyone who sent me a gift—even when it was my aunt who just passed away, who always sent me the same thing: a pair of Argyle dress socks. As Mom used to say, “They took the time to think about you and send you a gift. You can take the time to say thank you.”

Learn how to contest a will with our comprehensive guide. Understand the legal grounds, steps involved, and potential challenges in contesting a will successfully.

Learn how to choose a guardian in your estate plan to ensure your children’s future is secure. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of selecting the right guardian.

Discover the cost of creating a will and explore six options from free online tools to hiring estate attorneys. Learn how to choose the best method for your needs and budget.

If you’re making a charitable donation to your favorite nonprofit, make sure you’re eligible for an income tax deduction for the current year by meeting these important dates. Some other criteria apply, too.

Originally published: November 15, 2009 Déjà Vu All Over Again: 2008 Meets 2024 Back in 2008, the economy was in free fall. Nonprofits were panicking. Donor confidence had tanked. I wrote a piece that year urging fundraisers not to pull back on their year-end appeals. I argued that during downturns—especially during downturns—it’s more important than ever to stay visible and keep asking. Well, here we are again. 2024 wasn’t exactly a picnic either. Inflation remained stubborn. The markets shook confidence. Foundations tightened their grantmaking. And many nonprofits started singing that same old tune: “Let’s skip the year-end appeal this year.” If this sounds familiar, it should. What’s scarier than a red-tinted investment statement? Writing to your donors in an uncertain economy. Asking for support when wallets are shrinking. Worrying you might come across as tone-deaf or pushy. But let me tell you what I said back then—because it still applies

Owners of luxury motor coaches and RVs, such as Marathon Coaches and other high-end brands, can have the best of both worlds: a vacation with all the comforts of home, and an opportunity to shape their philanthropic legacy that also provides a current charitable tax deduction.

Several times a year, I get emails or phone calls from clients excited about the latest buzz in planned giving marketing. It usually starts with something like this: “Have you seen the new Widget that Company B just launched? It practically guarantees donors will be knocking down our door. My boss thinks we should buy it. Why don’t you offer something like this?” I’ve been in this industry long enough to know what’s coming next. The “Widget” is rarely—if ever—something revolutionary. It’s usually just a repackaging of an existing concept with a fresh coat of paint. A “New” Twist on Old Tools These so-called groundbreaking tools often fall into predictable categories: A “new” planned giving calculator that estimates annuity payments and tax benefits. (Didn’t we already have a dozen of those?) An app for making monthly recurring gifts—essentially a more streamlined version of existing donation platforms. A pre-designed eblast template

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