Real Estate Philantropy and Other Services for Nonprofits and Private Property Owners
By Dennis Bidwell November 2017 I believe that increases in real estate gift activity can be explained by several factors. I think more non-profits have opened their doors to real estate gifts, in many cases actively marketing their interest in real estate gifts, because long-standing resistance to real estate gifts has been fading away. Why … Read more…
By Dennis Bidwell August 2017 Here, drawing on some of the suggestions in that document, is an approach that has worked for me and my clients and, I believe, has served well the interests of many donors and their families. 1. Nothing is more important than keeping in mind the best interests of your donor … Read more…
By Dennis Bidwell May 2017 Sometimes I’ll read an article on real estate gifts that suggests only one workable gift structure involving real estate – a charitable remainder trust, or perhaps making the gift by bequest, or maybe a bargain sale. I also see from time to time conference presentations that emphasize just one gift … Read more…
By Dennis Bidwell February 2017 As development offices in non-profits of all sizes and shapes turn greater attention to attracting, closing and selling real estate gifts, I’m finding more and more charities are particular interested in exploring retained life estate possibilities with their donors. The basics: The owner(s) of a personal residence or agricultural property … Read more…
By Dennis Bidwell July, 2016 It is clear to me that the likelihood of a non-profit receiving desirable real estate gifts (properties that are marketable, free of environmental and title problems, and with net value of at least $100,000) increases as the organization puts more effort in to marketing and outreach efforts. Conversely, non-profits that … Read more…
by Dennis Bidwell April, 2016 I’ve previously written about bargain sales – appropriate for situations where a property owner is ready to dispose of a property, has charitable desires, but isn’t in position to give the entire property away. By selling the property to a non-profit at a discounted price, the property owner gets cash … Read more…
By Dennis Bidwell February 2016 As I work with non-profits around the country, helping them attract and structure charitable gifts of real estate, I am finding more and more of them choosing to engage their board of directors in the real estate gift process. Here’s why. First, a very large majority of real estate donors … Read more…
By Dennis Bidwell December, 2015 Take-aways from this gift scenario: 1. A retained life estate gift can accomplish essentially the same charitable results as leaving a property by bequest, with two important exceptions: the owners are entitled to a current income tax deduction when they donate the property subject to a retained life estate (unlike … Read more…
By Dennis Bidwell December, 2015 In my experience there is often someone or some office in a non-profit organization—perhaps the CFO, maybe the general counsel’s office—that is exceedingly cautious about accepting real estate gifts. Often this is due to a bad experience from 20 years ago, such as the now legendary story of the gift of the former … Read more…
By Dennis Bidwell October, 2015 Based on survey results and years of collective experience of those of us who are practitioners in the real estate gift field, it is possible to describe the profile of the individual or couple who make substantial gifts of real estate. I venture to say that at least 80% of … Read more…