Indeed, Sharpe emphasizes that gift planners establish their professionalism by knowing the limits of their knowledge. Not only are they willing to work with lawyers, accountants and other professionals representing the donors, he writes, but, in fact, good gift planners insist upon their involvement. Sharpe leaves two other indelible messages. One is that a planned giving program takes time to develop. Second, and most central to his thesis, is the belief that, no matter the tax advantages of certain planned gifts, charitable intent is the most critical factor in this or any other gift.
Sharpe writes about the sheer joy of giving.
The reader senses that he means it. It must be said that Sharpe's writing style does not keep pace with the wisdom of his message. There is little literary flair in Planned Giving Simplified , though the writing is clear and easy to follow. The book's layout and graphics, which are dull and rudimentary, do not do justice to its content. Alan M. Cantor is vice president at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, with responsibility for charitable gift planning.