Major Gifts
Major-gifts fundraising isn't about "the pitch." It's not about a presentation. It is about having a meaningful conversation with prospective donors to see if they share your values, mission and vision — aspirations to make a difference.
Please be very diligent to write good job descriptions for each major-gifts officer. It is so important that these good people know what they are supposed to do and know how they will be evaluated.
Good habits are developed over time. By practice. By repetition. Build the strength of your fundraising program through good fundraising habits.
If you can keep up-to-date and make sure your records are clean and have good information, it will help you and your organization cultivate, steward and solicit your donors in the proper way.
The next time you have a free moment, jot down the various groups you belong to and think about others in the same context. If you can relate to others on their interest level or group dynamic, you will have a better understanding of the proper beginning point to a successful relationship.
The top 10 biggest charitable gifts in 2014 came to a combined total of an amazing $3.3 billion. Imagine that much money coming from just 10 people!
Doing major gifts right is a long and tedious process, and involves a lot of steps — steps that if not followed will undermine the major-gifts officer's ability to raise money.
When someone wants to speak truth into your life, run toward it and embrace it! It is a gift, not a constraint. It will help you, not hurt you. It will make you better.
If an MGO is expected to do all the in-office work as well as meet with donors, he cannot manage the donors as he should. The net effect of this reality is that donor attrition is substantially higher.
Major-gifts fundraising is not rocket science. It's not quantum physics or brain surgery. It's very hard work, but it doesn't require a masters degree or doctorate, or a CFRE for that matter. I'm not putting any of those down, but successful major-gifts officers don't need any of that.