Major Gifts: The Art, the Heart, the Ask and the Attitude
Do your homework
Just as an athlete prepares for a game or a singer gets ready to perform, you also need to complete your precall homework. Some questions that need to be answered include:
● How many people will participate?
● Will the ask include a spouse/significant other?
● Who will do the asking, and who will be the educator?
● What information can I obtain regarding the prospective donor?
● Are the materials presented relevant to the ask?
● Who will create the written strategy in advance of the appointment?
● What amount will be requested?
Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.
Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. He has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.
