2 min read
Talk to Each Other
Lately, I’ve been in several conversations with major gift officers asking me essentially the same thing: “What should I do when I can’t get something done with [fill in the blank with a department...
2 min read
How You Can Help Your Board Succeed
How effective is your board at helping you solicit major gifts? If your board is like most of the boards Richard and I have encountered over the years, probably not great. It’s not easy to recruit...
2 min read
You Need ‘Your People’
When I was a development director, there were times that I felt really alone. Especially when I was struggling. I didn’t have many people I could bounce ideas off easily. And at that time, it wasn’t...
3 min read
Use Major Gifts to Bring Your Organization Together
The other day I was talking to an executive director of a regional, well-established non-profit. She was lamenting that her organization was steeped in very strict silos, and the situation made it...
2 min read
Here's What MGOs Should Do in January
Back in November I wrote about what you should be doing in December to finish strong. I really hope it’s going well. Today, I want to suggest what you can do in January that will set the stage for an...
3 min read
Events Are NOT Major Gift Fundraising
Non-profit leaders and board members, this one is for you.
2 min read
Can You and Your Organization be Vulnerable?
Building trust in any relationship is essential if that relationship is going to be real and authentic. As a major gift fundraiser, creating mutual trust with your major donors is really your...
2 min read
Can Direct-Response and Major Gifts Work Together?
A question that Richard and I often get from development directors and MGOs is whether or not caseload donors should get regular direct-response appeals (mail and email) just like the rest of the...
2 min read
Donors as Mission: A New Paradigm
Being “donor-centered” or “donor-focused” had a good run. But Richard and I believe it’s dead. It’s dead because it’s not working. That is, not working well enough. What was great about...
2 min read
How to Get Program Impact Information for Your Donor
“So, tell me what you did with my money,” the donor said. And the silence and lack of response drove her away. Jeff and I hear stories like this every week. Every week! Sadly, this is one of the...
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3 min read
Steps to Securing that Transformational Gift
The word transformation is an interesting and inspiring word. It means “a thorough or dramatic change.” It is positive and aspirational, and it carries a lot of meaning when it comes to giving. There...
2 min read
It Takes a Village
You’ve heard of the term “Solo Player.” In a sales environment, it refers to someone that does everything on his own and won’t include others in his work. Over the years, Richard and I have run into...
