Major Gifts

But major college fundraisers know there have been fewer alumni willing to whip out their checkbooks these days. So they've been focusing almost exclusively on major donors for large gifts -- a strategy that paid off this week with news of some record-breaking increases in private contributions. "The number of million-dollar gifts are up dramatically," said Gene Tempel, president of the IU Foundation, "and we've been emphasizing those major gifts." The Bloomington-based foundation helped Indiana University raise $342.8 million in fiscal year 2010, a 38 percent increase from 2009 and the second-highest amount ever. Purdue and Notre Dame reported

LEOGANE, Haiti -- Bill Clinton returned to Haiti on a new mission Tuesday to invigorate recovery from January's devastating earthquake and help millions end lives of poverty and danger.

On his first visit since becoming co-chairman of the committee overseeing more than $5.3 billion in international reconstruction aid, the former U.S. president visited the seaside town of Leogane, next to the Jan. 12 epicenter. Less than a fifth of its buildings survived, and thousands of residents are at risk from floods and high winds.

The fast pace and apparent shallowness of sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, as well as blogs and other online communities, seem to be the antithesis of what major-donor fundraising is all about. Not so, according to fundraising consultant Carolyn Appleton, who presented her case at the Nonprofit Technology Conference held in Atlanta earlier this month. In her session, “Major Gift Fundraising and Social Media,” Appleton tackled the old-school perceptions of social media.

October 14, 2009, The Chronicle of Philanthropy — Wealthy people who give away 10 percent or more of their income to charity have built a higher net worth — and tend to be happier — than other wealthy individuals who give less, says Thomas J. Stanley in his new book, Stop Acting Rich … and Start Living Like a Real Millionaire.

September 9, 2009, Tufts Journal — Bernard Gordon, known as the father of analog-to-digital conversion and for breakthroughs such as the fetal heart monitor and portable CT scan, has committed $40 million to Tufts University’s School of Engineering to advance its engineering leadership education programs.

September 9, 2009, Forbes — Despite managing through the worst economic conditions the U.S. has seen since the Great Depression, high-net-worth individuals are still committed to charitable giving. In fact, in many cases, they are now more generous than in years past, according to results of a survey of 500 high-net-worth and ultra-high -net-worth individuals in the U.S. and U.K. conducted by Barclays Wealth and Ledbury Research.

Columbia, SC, September 6, 2009 — National Development Institute recently launched their new website designed to assist nonprofit organizations in major gifts fundraising efforts. Seasoned fundraisers as well as those who are new to the task of development can have access to resources, tools and guidance through this online offering.

Burlingame, CA, August 31, 2009 — Tactical Philanthropy Advisors, an advisory firm working with wealthy individuals and families, launched today. It is headed by Sean Stannard-Stockton, co-founder of a wealth advisory firm focused on philanthropists, a columnist for the Chronicle of Philanthropy and author of the industry leading blog Tactical Philanthropy.

MINNEAPOLIS, July 28, 2009 — Minneapolis-based Courage Center, a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center for people with disabilities, welcomes Susan Oswald to its development team. In her role as senior director of Major and Planned Gifts she will develop and implement strategic initiatives through best practices in donor identification, research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Oswald reports to Audrey Kintzi, vice president/Chief Development Officer in planning and implementation of capital campaigns for board-approved initiatives.

July 13, 2009, The Telegraph — A survey by Barclays Wealth of 500 wealthy individuals in the UK and US revealed that around 75pc had not reduced their contributions to charity, while more than one in four had increased their giving in the last 18 months.