This article appears in the April, 2015 issue of The Modern Gladiator. I am a new columnist for this magazine, and the subject matter seemed appropriate to publish here as well. Volunteerism is something that Americans do very well. Research has consistently shown the US to be among the most generous countries in the world Read More →

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http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2015/02/19/how-elderly-heiress-lost-her-300-million-fortune/ I read this story about Huguette Clark, the copper heiress and philanthropist, last month on Fox Business and it really struck a chord with me. There are a variety of “issues” in the piece, but the part that I want to discuss today are the concepts of communication and donor intent. As small nonprofit Read More →

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Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are growing in popularity here in the United States and they are a great way to accomplish philanthropic goals. Many people are using DAFs for a few key reasons. One reason is that they are relatively simple to set up. Working with a community foundation, such as The Community Foundation Serving Greeley Read More →

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We have all heard the stories of probate taking inordinate amounts of time, tying up assets, and generally causing trouble for our loved ones during a time of great grief. In most cases the process is relatively smooth and straightforward here in Colorado under existing laws. In other states that is not necessarily the case. Read More →

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There has been a big ruckus in the news over the past few days because of the alleged words of a certain owner of a California-based NBA team (it rhymes with “Flippers”). The comments made were very racially insensitive and denigrating. It is unfortunate that such views are still around in 2014. Rather than rehash Read More →

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As is my custom at the end of December, I have been reviewing my goals as well as my outcomes for the year. Since I also have a short attention-span, additionally I have been daydreaming and reviewing past years and decades. Yesterday my teenage son asked me ‘what some of my favorite TV shows were Read More →

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Sometimes there are differing perspectives about issues that are seemingly “cut and dry.” For example, I once had someone impart to me a very unique viewpoint relating to gang violence. We were discussing the fact that kids in gangs often get into these gun battles and there are stray bullets that go flying in residential Read More →

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If your email inbox looks anything like mine you have been getting inundated with requests to give to specific charities on Colorado Gives Day next week. Colorado Gives Day, on December 10 this year, is an annual opportunity for Coloradans to “give where they live.” Even if you do not live in Colorado you are Read More →

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Organizations today rely heavily on donors who make one or more gifts each year either through the mail or online. These donors are often critical to nonprofit success because they can often be used to keep the lights on, pay for support staff, and defray overhead costs. Sometimes we make the mistake of failing to Read More →

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Today I was reading a news article about a man who went to court in Ohio to overturn his own death. He was not successful and unfortunately had to walk out of court a dead man. Allow me to explain. Donald Miller disappeared back in 1994 and his wife eventually went to court to have Read More →

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