Fixing Bored Boards and Other Major-Gifts Musts

A successful major-gifts campaign relies on a partnership between professionals (i.e., consultants, nonprofit staff) and lay people (i.e., board members), Davis says. Too often, board members are lethargic and fail to provide the necessary support.

"Often we'll find that board members haven't realized the power they have and the extent of their reach to be able to get the potential donors," Davis says. "When we show them the donor or we show them one step away from getting the donor, a light bulb goes off, and we can then begin working with that board member or friend and try to solicit that gift."