Five Metrics for Measuring Success in Major Gifts

Five Metrics for Measuring Success in Major Gifts

There is quite a bit of chatter out in the marketplace about how to measure success in major gifts.  Some managers feel the whole thing is about measuring activity, i.e., what is the MGO doing?  The problem with measuring activity, while it is important, is that...
Why MGOs Should NOT Prospect

Why MGOs Should NOT Prospect

The subject of prospecting in major gifts always causes a bit of controversy anytime Jeff and I talk about it. I suppose the reason so many pro-prospecting people get mad at us for taking a no-prospect stand is that they truly believe the illusion that “there is just...
The Economics of Major Gift Fundraising Series #4 – Credit – Who Gets It?

The Economics of Major Gift Fundraising Series #4 – Credit – Who Gets It?

Let me say, right at the top, that the MGO gets all the credit for revenue from any donor on his or her caseload with the exception of planned gifts IF a PGO was involved. There are a lot of people who do not agree with what I just said. And it is one of those issues...
The Economics of Major Gift Fundraising Series #3 – The Economic Destination of a Caseload

The Economics of Major Gift Fundraising Series #3 – The Economic Destination of a Caseload

There are smart destinations and there are stupid ones in major gifts. Jeff and I experienced one situation in which the Director of Development and all of her MGOs had only one objective for each donor on each caseload: to build relationships with donors and not ask...
The Economics of Major Gift Fundraising (#1 of 6)

The Economics of Major Gift Fundraising (#1 of 6)

Several weeks ago I got into a rather heated argument with a finance person in a large non-profit who was taking an aggressive and spirit-robbing position on the value of a Major Gift Officer. “What good are they doing anyway?”  he said.  “They take credit for money...