Major Gifts

Who would ever think of running a nonprofit major gifts program as if it were a business? Not many people. And that’s too bad, because it would cause each of us to pay more attention to the things that are important. I have often said that the only difference between a nonprofit and a for-profit is that the for-profit pays taxes. Other than that, there should be no difference...

Being a small nonprofit is never an excuse to not have a major gift program. Lately, I’ve been talking to a great number of executive directors and development directors from small nonprofits. Bottom line: Everyone is overworked and doing multiple jobs...

As a result of this writing, you could propose to reduce the gadget influence in your own personal life and experience life as it should be again. And then, in your major gift life, maybe you could propose to view your donors differently as well...

In the process of creating a 12-month strategic plan, there is a lot of focus on: soliciting, preparing proposals, thanking the donor and reporting back the impact of that donor’s gift. But, what we have found can really make a difference in nonprofit impact are the small, personal touches that let the donor know you know them...

Bequest programs are a fundamental building block of any planned giving program and for good reasons: They are simple to establish; they represent the largest segment of planned gifts (over 65 percent by some estimates); and they do not change the donor’s life one iota...

Have you ever wondered why you’re not getting larger individual donations or funder awards? It is perplexing isn't it?  You did your research and you knew that the donor/funder made larger gifts, but they haven’t made them to your agency! This is frustrating. You wonder, "Was it how we asked? What happened?"...

It was the late 1980s. I was a guest in the home of a Fortune 500 executive in Vail, Colo. It was a cavernous house where, on several occasions, I got lost trying to navigate my way back to the guest quarters. I was invited to this couple’s house to brainstorm new ways they could help the organization they loved attract more donors. They had come to know and trust me because of my work with the organization...

Today, I want to get positive and practical, and talk about the anatomy of a great major gift job description. You may find these suggestions simple—and that’s fine. One thing for sure, they are not simplistic; a good job description is complex and serious, but that does not mean it needs to be long and detailed...

Do you wish you knew the secrets of building stronger relationships with people who might give large gifts to your organization? Do you feel a bit intimidated by people who have lots of money? Do you feel as though you can’t be the real you with donors, because your relationship with them is based on wanting their money? Chances are good that if you weren’t in the fundraising business, you’d never meet or speak with people like your major donors...

Do you ever come home after a party and realize that no one at the party ever asked you anything about yourself? Do you find that this is a reoccurring situation? I don’t know about you, but I find that most people I come in contact with are just not very curious...