Kids Free Days Begin

In an earlier post, I noted that Portland Art Museum (Oregon) had received a million dollar major gift to endow free admission for children. Great news then and great news recently as the program began and the Museum got a "front of section, above the fold" picture of children and art plus a great editorial commending this new access to art.

As the arts seek to stay relevant to all people, such endowments are a real win win win gift. The organization receives financial stability and new patrons, the donor can feel good about letting children see art any time they want, and the community wins.

To see the editorial click here.

Photo courtesy www.yupkikmask.com.

Tom Wilson
Author, Winning Gifts

Updated Tax Laws for Giving

As I scan newspapers on airplane rides, I found an article in The Wall Street Journal covering highlights of new tax laws (and pending ones).

Not only major gift fundraisers need to pay attention to this one -- donors aren't allowed to deduct cash gifts of any size without a receipt (defined as a bank record or written communication from the nonprofit). This suggests that donors shouldn't just put cash in the collection plate at church or temple services but rather right a check or use the pledge envelopes.

IRA gifts are still in limbo. The law that allowed donors 70-1/2 to give up to $100,000 per year in 2006 and 2007 has expired. An extension is hoped for but not yet in place.

Stock donations are still a good way to give. However, make sure to give appreciated assets to avoid capital gains. If the stock has a loss, it's better to sell it and take the loss against your income for the the year.

To see the full article, click here.

Tom Wilson
Author, Winning Gifts

Japanese Philanthropy

Is Japanese Fundraising Taking Off?

If you’ve read my book Winning Gifts (what, not yet), you’ll remember a discussion of a Japanese business executives tour that I helped with in the early 1990s. One of the gentlemen I met with that day questioned me repeatedly about why we had philanthropic causes in the United States. He concluded that in Japan the government took care of all social causes and business supplied jobs. In America everyone had run away from various governments around the world over our 200 year history. Therefore we distrust government and gather together by ourselves to fix societal problems.

At the recent AFP conference in San Diego a Japanese man came to my book signing. We got to talking and he said that he was a fundraising consultant in Japan. I was amazed. I asked him what had changed since the early 90s.

He said the bubble burst of the late 90s in Japan had caused distrust in the government. People were laid off from corporate jobs and all of a sudden philanthropy began to grow.

I need to find out more. If you have information, let me know.

Tom Wilson
Author, Winning Gifts

Using Nurses for Primary Care

In a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, "Making Room for Dr. Nurse," author Laura Landro noted the emerging trend of finding ways around the shortage of primary-care physicians by having nurses get additional training to become nurse practitioners and doctors of nursing practice.

By 2020 there could be a shortfall of 85,000 to 200,000 primary-care physicians. Massachusetts who has recently instituted universal insurance coverage is finding a severe shortage right now. Physicals is some locations are being scheduled 15 months out.

A nurse practitioner goes to school for two additional years past his or her bachelor of nursing degree and has prescription authority and is eligible for Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. A doctor of nursing practice (DNP) includes these two years plus a year of residency and the requirement to take the same National Board of Medical Examiners exam that physicians are required to take. In addition to the privileges of the nurse practitioner the DNP has hospital admitting privileges and is starting to be recognized by insurance companies for payments.

Several of my capital campaign hospital clients are helping their nursing programs through philanthropic community investments like the nurse practitioner program.

To see the full article, click here.

Photo courtesy Mater Private Hospital, Brisbane

Tom Wilson
Author, Winning Gifts

Will the Economy Impact Fundraising?

I just got back from the AFP International Conference in San Diego. It was a lot of fun. Many friends, 3 presentations and a book signing too.

A frequent question at my presentations was the impact of the current recession on fundraising. Yes, there is a recession. I've checked with several of my investor type friends who said this is absolutely real.

I've been through several before and survived. We'll survive this one. Will it be tough? You bet. the mortgage and credit crisis is very serious.

Will people still give? Yes. As one donor told me: "The people you want to give to this capital campaign is mostly insulated from the recession. The money is still there. And, I will probably give $100,000."

Giving U.S.A. data over history shows giving going up continuously over the last 40 years. Giving will flatten out during a recession and then resume afterward.

Work smarter and harder now. Be selective in your major gift fundraising and capital campaign fundraising. Ask donors how the economy is treating them. Someone in the home real estate market will clearly be in trouble right now. I asked a commercial real estate broker how he was doing and he said that so far fine. The problems were being kept to the residential marketplace. If you're in the oil business, times have never been better. I talked to an apple grower recently who said the last two years have been great.

So don't let the economic news stop you. Just listen more carefully to donors' perceptions of their wealth. Good luck.

Tom Wilson
Author, Winning Gifts