Whenever I speak at conferences about how to raise major gifts, one of the first topics I cover (after determining what the term major gift actually means) is board member engagement. I ask audience members (or workshop participants) to raise their hands if their organization has 100% participation. In other words, if every board member … [Read more...]
The Amazing Power of Authenticity When Building Donor Relationships
At a recent board retreat I was facilitating, a board member challenged me. He said that he felt the donor cultivation strategies I was discussing seemed contrived. He didn’t believe we could develop real relationships with donors because the ulterior motive was to raise money. However, this particular board member was missing one key fact … [Read more...]
A Capital Campaign Tool You Can Use to Raise Major Gifts
The most important capital campaign tool is the gift range chart. This chart demonstrates how many gifts (and donors, and prospective donors) at each level (amount) it will take a reach your goal. Traditionally this tool has been used exclusively for capital campaigns, but the principles apply equally to raising major gifts for your annual … [Read more...]
3 “Non-Risk” Risks for the Fearful Fundraiser
Are you risk-averse? If trying something new gives you butterflies in your stomach and stops you in your tracks, you're likely risk-averse. Many fundraiser's are. Some people have an immediate and negative reaction to trying new things. And sometimes, their cautious natures are warranted. But often they’re not. So when Seth Godin … [Read more...]
An Effective Major Gifts Plan Template: Just 4 Simple Steps
I’m regularly asked for a major gifts plan template. Over the years, I’ve worked to refine the process and make it as simple as possible. Here’s a major gift plan template broken down into 4 steps: Major Gifts Plan Template in 4 Steps Identify the best prospective donors for your organization. Build relationships with those donors and … [Read more...]
The Minimalist Guide to Planned Giving: Just 3 Simple Steps
The very idea of planned giving can seem overwhelming. Complicated new tax laws, combined with unfamiliar acronyms like CRAT and CRUT, not to mention strange sounding vehicles like Charitable Gift Annuities… it’s enough to make your head spin! And that just scratches the surface. Planned Giving Can Make Your Head Spin There are so many … [Read more...]
5 Fundraising Lessons Learned from the Women’s World Cup Winners
Every girl needs a role model. This week they got one. A team-full, actually. Megan Rapinoe and her 2019 World Cup winning teammates are heroes to girls everywhere, and fundraisers too. If you want to feel amazing, check out Megan’s power pose here -- it’s inspirational! 5 Fundraising Lessons Courtesy of the 2019 World Cup … [Read more...]
4 Unquestionable Major Gift Fundraising Metrics to Accelerate Your Program
You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you won’t know when you’ve arrived.” And that holds doubly true when raising major gifts. In order to accelerate your major gift fundraising program, it’s essential to define what a major gift is at your organization (no, it's not the same at every organization) and … [Read more...]
Winners of the Mastering Major Gifts Scholarship (June 2019)
Mastering Major Gifts is currently open for enrollment! First Things First... Are you ready take your fundraising success to the next level? Here’s what I’m going to share today: The two three winners of the Mastering Major Gifts scholarship giveaway Why I decided to launch Mastering Major Gifts in the first place What Mastering Major … [Read more...]
Win a FREE Scholarship to Mastering Major Gifts (June 2019)
Imagine your major gift effort taking off and soaring to new heights! It’s a dream that could come true for you. You can become an expert. You can master Major Gifts. True, there’s not a lot of help available, but I want you to soar. That’s why I developed Mastering Major Gifts What is Mastering Major Gifts? Mastering Major Gifts is … [Read more...]
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