In This Issue
February AFR Announced
When Do Donors Give?
Spotlight on a Philanthropist

About Us

 

Davenport & Barr 

 

Spencer Group 

 

February 2012 AFR Announced
 
The IRS Applicable Federal Rate (AFR) for February 2012 continues at its all-time lowest rate of 1.4%.  Also known as the Discount Rate, 1.4% means that charitable deductions on new gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts will continue at their historic lows. 
 
While this low rate translates into minimum charitable deductions, it also will mean that the amount of tax free income to gift annuity annuitants will be maximized, having the effect of increasing their overall effective rate of return. 
 

For more information,

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(603) 356-3311

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Karen Davenport

President, Davenport & Barr  

Karen & Mike for Davenport & Barr 

Mike Davenport
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Mike Spencer
President, Spencer Group

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 Beyond Philanthropy Vol.1, Issue 5

February, 2012

 

"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see" ~Mark Twain

By Karen Davenport  

 

February is a great month to thank the people who are most involved with your organization -- and it presents a wonderful opportunity to ask them to do more! Here are a few suggestions:

 

Send Love Letters . . . to your board members, volunteers and donors thanking them for their steadfast support and dedication to your cause.

 

Remember Those Who Serve You . . . who may be taken for granted, such as vendors, local businesses, clergy and community groups.

 

Reach Out to Those in Need . . . . Partner with another non-profit by offering something they need that is easy for your organization to provide.

 

Celebrate Annual Random Acts of Kindness Week . . . . this February 12-18 by sharing how small deeds and donations make a difference to your institution.

 

Will You Be My...Volunteer? . . . Constantly share with your supporters' ways that they can be more involved, beyond just giving donations.

 

 

 

 

  

When Do Most Donors Give?  

By Mike Spencer

 

 It's common belief that the Fall and Holiday seasons are when most donors choose to give - which is why many organizations conduct their annual appeals during this time.

 

While it's true that the end of the year generates a flood of contributions, a different answer to the question is worth consideration:

 

         Most Donors Give WHEN ASKED!

 

Take, for example, the annual giving patterns of three organizations: an independent school, a community hospital, and a social services agency:

 

-      For two organizations, the number of cash gifts received was higher in the Spring (January-June) than the Fall  

(July-December).  

 

-      For the third organization, 27% of annual gifts were made in the Spring (mostly a function of only one solicitation during this period).

 

-      In each case, the DOLLARS raised in the Fall was higher than the Spring, but the Spring still accounted for 30%-45% of the total revenue for year.

 

With a new year upon us, there's no reason to wait until Fall to jump start your annual giving program for 2012. Many donors are willing to give right now - you just have to ask.

 

To Learn More ...

 

.. about the giving patterns of your donors - and to identify the untapped potential of your annual giving program - contact us about Focus Analytics, our proprietary analytic reports that have helped dozens of organizations increase the performance of their fundraising efforts.  

 

Call or email Mike Spencer at 802-865-4100 x11 or mike@spencergroupinc.com.

 


 

    

Spotlight on a Philanthropist 

 

It isn't very often that a generous benefactor comes along whose gift is so broad and far-reaching that its impact can be appreciated by every American citizen -- but David M. Rubenstein has done just that!  

 

The Bethesda, Maryland philanthropist will donate $7.5million to help fix the earth-quake damaged Washington Monument. Rubenstein has offered to share the estimated $15million repair bill with the federal government. When asked why he agreed to the gift Rubenstein said: "What greater symbol is there in Washington of our country? I just thought it would be a good thing for the country to have it back as soon as possible."  

 

This isn't his first gift to the country capital; Mr. Rubenstein is already the largest donor to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with gifts totaling $25million.  

 

Within the last few years he paid for a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, now in the White House; a copy of the Declaration of Independence, now at the State Department; and a rare, early map of the United States, now in the Library of Congress.  

 

Apparently, Mr. Rubenstein approached National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis and said: "You got a cracked monument? How can I help!?"

 

 

   

 

 

Inspire your Board and Volunteers

By Karen Davenport  

 

 

Becoming clear about your mission is the starting point for organizational sustainability -- And keeping your organization's mission in the mind's eye of your board members is essential to their involvement. Consider making time for a "Mission Moment" at every board meeting. By taking just a few minutes to focus on your purpose, simply by reading your mission statement, directors and/or trustees will be reminded why they are involved and why people should care. Without ever mentioning the word "philanthropy" you've introduced it by describing the purpose for which your organization exists -- as well as the primary premise for all of your fundraising endeavors.  

 

 

 "The Philanthropy Collaborative" Work Session with Davenport & Barr and Spencer Group

 

 

 

Philanthropy Collaborative Work Session: Karen Davenport, Anastacia Barr, Mike Spencer, Mike Gaito & Mike Davenport From left to right: Karen Davenport, Anastacia Barr, Mike Spencer, Mike Gaito & Mike Davenport. 

 
Taking a break outside! Look at that view!