Keeping Major Gifts Up in a Down Economy

3. DON’T PIGEONHOLE PROSPECTS AS MAJOR-GIFT DONORS. Some prospects, even those with substantial wealth, might not be comfortable writing big checks for immediate gifts. Major-gift donors are more likely to be conspicuous consumers, while fiscally conservative spenders are better prospects for planning giving. If all you ask for is major gifts, you’ll rule out valuable giving vehicles such as gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and bequests.