Getting to the Heart of Major-Gifts Giving

By Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels

A wealthy industrialist reportedly once asked Mohandas Gandhi, “Do you need me or my money?” The famed Indian leader replied, “I need only you!” But Gandhi wasn’t against wealth or money. He just knew that people would find neither purpose nor fulfillment in it.

Some of the great philosophers and religious leaders throughout human history have had some rather jarring, even extremist, views about money. Christian Scripture relates that Jesus said to the rich man, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

Now that is a big ask! But if we know anything about the heart and mind of Jesus, it’s safe to assume he made that command to the rich man not only because the poor needed his money (though they surely did), but also because the rich man needed to give it.

Your donors, like everyone else on Earth, need to give. If we humans don’t give something, somewhere, to someone, we die spiritually. That is the grace of giving. It’s about contact with something outside of ourselves, and it really isn’t just about the money. But here’s something great: Your work in major gifts unlocks the grace of giving in other people’s lives!

Most donors know instinctively that giving is good, but here are three specifics that outline just how good it is.

1. Giving subdues the power of money. Money is a powerful force. All of us feel its pull — including your donors. It represents our hard work and the emotional investment we put into our jobs.

And it can do some great things. Money can give us options, power, security and pleasure. It can help us express our feelings, and it can allow us to provide truly important things for those we love. It can boost our self-esteem and can make others respect us — or so we hope.

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Richard Perry Author's page

If you’re hanging with Richard it won’t be long before you’ll be laughing.

He always finds something funny in everything. But when the conversation is about people, their money and giving, you’ll find a deeply caring counselor who helps donors fulfill their passions and interests. Richard believes that successful major-gift fundraising is not fundamentally about securing revenue for good causes. Instead it is about helping donors express who they are through their giving. The Connections blog will provide practical information on how to do this successfully. Richard has more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience, and is founding partner of the Veritus Group.

Jeff Schreifels Author's page

Jeff Schreifels is the principal owner of Veritus Group — an agency that partners with nonprofits to create, build and manage mid-level fundraising, major gifts and planned giving programs. In his 32-plus year career, Jeff has worked with hundreds of nonprofits, helping to raise more than $400 million in revenue.