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John T. Keith, J.D.

John Keith, J.D., brings to JGA an extensive depth of expertise in planned giving, major gift development, campaigns, leadership annual giving, and the role of volunteer engagement in fundraising. John is an 18-year veteran of the Indiana University Foundation where he most recently served as Associate Vice President of Individual Giving. In this capacity, he focused on gift planning services, women’s philanthropy, reunion giving, parent and family giving, and participated in the principal gifts program, which included naming gifts of $5 million and above. While at Indiana University, John and his gift planning team assisted development officers and generous IU alumni and friends to secure more than $500 million in new major and planned gift commitments for the future of Indiana University, a crucial aspect of five IU campaigns. Other roles he held at Indiana University Foundation include Executive Director/ Director of Gift Planning, Associate Director of Planned Giving, and Staff Attorney for the Office of General Counsel. As an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University for five years, John shared his experiences and knowledge with IU undergraduate students by teaching courses in major and planned gifts, campaign planning, and estate planning. Prior to working at Indiana University, he practiced law at Keith & Keith attorneys, a firm focused on wills, trusts, probate, philanthropic planning, and real estate. John is a member of the Indiana State Bar, the Indiana State Bar Association, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Partnership on Philanthropic Planning, and a past board president and board member of the Planned Giving Group of Indiana. John obtained his law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law, and holds a Bachelor’s in Religion from Wabash College.
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Recent Posts

New Stimulus Package Extends Charitable Deduction and Offers New Relief

December 28, 2020

Last night President Trump signed the new economic stimulus package that provides $900 billion in emergency relief funds. Although the discussion has understandably focused on the $600 stimulus checks, there are also significant provisions associated with charitable giving and the nonprofit sector.

 

Keep in mind that these are not the primary reasons a donor makes a gift. Your mission matters the most. Tax planning affects how they give, not why.

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Leaving a Legacy – 3 practical implications for planned giving

February 27, 2020

In November 2019, the Giving USA Foundation published a special report associated with its research of planned giving donors and their motivations to give. This study, "Leaving a Legacy: A New Look at Planned Giving Donors," was based upon national survey results from more than 860 planned giving donors and an additional 40 personal interviews. The study provides information on key trends, motivations, and insights.

 

Here are key findings and three practical implications for your planned giving program from this valuable research:

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Top 5 Things for Nonprofits to Know in 2019 About Tax Law Changes

January 02, 2019

In December 2017, Congress passed and the president signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which contained what many describe as the most significant changes to the tax code since 1986.  During 2018, we received many questions from our nonprofit clients about the implications of these changes for their donors. 

1. What is the most significant tax law change that could affect the short-term philanthropic planning of our donors and, therefore, our annual giving program? 

The 2017 tax law change nearly doubled the standard deduction for individuals (from $6,350 to $12,000 and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples filing jointly). This means that fewer taxpayers will claim itemized deductions. Research has shown that those donors who claim itemized deductions are more likely to give consistently (should we say that this may be correlation rather than causation). In the recent past, approximately 30% of taxpayers have claimed itemized deductions. As a result of the tax law change, it is estimated that approximately 15% to 20% of taxpayers will continue to itemize their deductions.

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