Terry Burton

In our cover story, “Don’t Toy With the Marine Corps,” Associate Senior Editor Melissa Busch explores how the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation regrouped after a fundraising and public-relations disaster — and came back stronger than ever. Also, fundraising consultant Terry Burton explains the concept of transformational gifts and outlines how nonprofits can best position themselves to be recpients of these organization-changing donations in his story, “The Most Major of Major Gifts.”

In February, FundRaising Success will announce the winners of the fourth annual Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards. To submit a nomination, send us an e-mail telling us who you’re nominating, in which category and why. Categories are: Lifetime Achievement — Based on a body of work over the course of 30+ years. Fundraising Professional of the Year — Based on specific fundraising achievement in 2008. Fundraising Stars — Based on a body of work, a compelling project or special circumstance, an overall attitude or approach, etc. Rising Stars — Up-and-comers with fewer than five years in the sector. Send nominations to mbattistelli@napco.com before

In February, FundRaising Success will announce the winners of the fourth annual Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards. To submit a nomination, send us an e-mail telling us who you’re nominating, in which category and why. Categories are: Lifetime Achievement — Based on a body of work over the course of 30+ years. Fundraising Professional of the Year — Based on specific fundraising achievement in 2008. Fundraising Stars — Based on a body of work, a compelling project or special circumstance, an overall attitude or approach, etc. Rising Stars — Up-and-comers with fewer than five years in the sector. Send nominations to mbattistelli@napco.com before

In our cover story, “Don’t Toy With the Marine Corps,” Associate Senior Editor Melissa Busch explores how the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation regrouped after a fundraising and public-relations disaster — and came back stronger than ever. Also, fundraising consultant Terry Burton explains the concept of transformational gifts and outlines how nonprofits can best position themselves to be recpients of these organization-changing donations in his story, “The Most Major of Major Gifts.” Call for Fundraising Professionals of the Year Nominations In February, FundRaising Success will announce the winners of the fourth annual Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards. To submit a nomination, send

Donors always have wanted to make a difference with their gifts to nonprofit organizations. But one of the most remarkable trends in giving over the last 10 years is how large those gifts have become — so large in dollars and so significant for their lasting impact, they’ve taken on the label of “transformational gifts.” By definition, transformational gifts are large enough to have major, lasting effects on the organizations that receive them. When it comes to determining how much money qualifies as a transformational gift, there is no one magic number. The phrase “one size fits all” does not apply. A

“Naming Rights: Legacy Gifts & Corporate Money” It’s a cutting-edge, emerging trend in the nonprofit sector — selling naming rights to boost brand recognition during fundraising campaigns. Author Terry Burton, president and founder of Dig In Research 2007, a Vancouver, British Columbia-based consultancy that provides research and strategic planning services to fundraising professionals, explains the ins and outs of naming-rights programs in higher education, health care, and arts and culture organizations, and other nonprofits his new book, “Naming Rights: Legacy Gifts & Corporate Money.” He also teaches how to benchmark and compete with peer organizations for patrons of buildings and other spaces, and