Did You Know...
The start of a new year is an opportune occasion for those who are creating - or updating - a will or estate plan to secure their financial plan for the year ahead. Have you reached out to your donors to ask them if they would consider including your organization in their estate plans? You might be surprised with their response!

After attending our Seeds of Planned Giving training in 2017, Jim Durbin and his staff at the Dean McGee Eye Institute began implementing what they learned to boost their planned giving program.
 
"We sent out a survey to our loyal donors asking if they had considered us in their will," said Jim. "We actually received five responses from donors saying they were planning to leave us an inheritance gift, and numerous others indicated they would like to receive more information. It took us completely by surprise, and it was great information to have when planning for the financial future of our organization." 
 
Don't pass up an opportunity to secure the financial stability your organization needs! Contact Joe Carter at 405/606-2914 or Gayle Farley at 405/606-2910 today to learn more on the importance of planned giving. Make sure to attend our next Seeds of Planned Giving Feb. 8 as we discuss simple ways to help your donors make charitable gifts through their will or trust. 

oneNonprofit Trends to Help Us Transition to a New Year
Reflecting on the good, the bad and the ugly of 2017 can help us know what to take with us - and what to leave behind - as we journey ahead. When it comes to creating an annual plan for your nonprofit, trends can help measure what worked and what didn't, and help you save valuable time in the coming year. For example, does your nonprofit REALLY need to spend that much time on social media? What giving trends will affect your development efforts for good or bad? Below you will find a list of last year's top trends, and what your organization can prepare for in 2018!  
twoIncrease Your Fundraising Efforts with These Tips and Trends
 
Last year, did you send email after email asking your donors to buy in to the impact your organization was making throughout our great community? With all the hard work you put into each ask, did your efforts yield the results you anticipated? Thankfully, these tips and trends can help streamline your fundraising efforts to effortlessly grow financial support for your organization in 2018!  

In an effort to simplify the tax code, the new legislation doubles the standard deduction, reducing the number of itemizers who will benefit from charitable contributions. Also included in the new tax law are a number of provisions related to tax-exempt organizations. What steps can your nonprofit take in order to adjust to the new norm?
Ashlee Adams
gso Tips for Transparency

Does your organization know what financial data should be shared with whom? Or the best way to format financial statements? 

This webinar can help you develop financial mastery, which ultimately leads to sustainable excellence!

How are you promoting your GiveSmartOKC profile? Here are some ideas! 
  • Use your profile as a board development tool to help board members learn about your organization.
  • Use as a staff recruitment and orientation tool to help bring those who are new to your organization up to speed.
  • Make your GiveSmartOKC profile a part of your overall social media plan by regularly posting and tweeting about your profile on your Facebook page and Twitter account.
  • Email current and prospective donors a link to your profile.
GiveSmartOKC reminders: 
Have you updated your Give SmartOKC profile? Don't forget that an annual update is due 45 days after your organization's fiscal year end. If Dec. 31 was your fiscal year end, please be sure to submit the required updates including: board list, new fiscal year income/expense projections; most recent board-approved financials (Form 990, Audit, Profit/Loss & Balance Statement).

New GiveSmartOKC profiles! 
Join us as we welcome HopeHouse OKC and the Midwest City Soccer Club as the newest Oklahoma City nonprofits to publish a profile on GiveSmartOKC.org! 

HopeHouse OKC's mission is to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by not only providing housing for people, but walking with them from poverty to security. The Midwest City Soccer Club promotes a positive environment to introduce both children and adults to the game of soccer. 

Are you ready to join more than 280 nonprofits who have published profiles at GiveSmartOKC.org?
 
Learn how your nonprofit can join at GiveSmartOKC.org .
eventsUpcoming Events

Seeds of Planned Giving 

Feb. 8 | Bequests
Simple ways to help your donors make charitable gifts through their will or trust.  
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. |  @ OCCF

For more information, contact Gayle Farley at 405-606-2910. 
grantsGrant Deadlines

March 19 | Wellness Initiative
 

resourcesNonprofit Resources

DonorCentral - View the balance of your endowment fund and gifts from donors.
The Toolkit - Tools to help you promote your endowment.
IRS.gov for Nonprofits
IRS Stay Exempt - Tax Basics for 501(c)(3)
Contacts:

Gayle Farley
Director, Charitable Organization Endowment Fund Program
405/606-2910


 Ashlee Adams
Coordinator, GiveSmartOKC
405/606-2918