A Donor Offers to Give You Twice What You Expected

A Donor Offers to Give You Twice What You Expected

by | Oct 21, 2024 | , , , | Asking, Donor Offers, Fundraising, Giving, High Givers, Major Donors, Major Gift Officers, Planning

There were two events last month I want to tell you about. They are opposite. In one, the frontline fundraiser was ready. In the other, he wasn’t. And it was an opportunity lost. Context: Jeff and I and our team of frontline fundraising coaches are constantly telling...
Question of the Month: How do you plan for a transformational gift?

Question of the Month: How do you plan for a transformational gift?

by | Sep 29, 2023 | , , , , , , | Donor Offers, Giving, High Givers, Major Gifts, Planning, Transformational Gift

First, it’s important to start with the basics. Before you can ask for a transformational gift, you  need to have a major gifts caseload of no more than 150 qualified donors, tiered A to C, with an individual communication plan for each donor. Then, of your Tier...
Question of the Month: How do you set goals in major gifts?

Question of the Month: How do you set goals in major gifts?

by | Jun 28, 2023 | , , , , | Goal-setting, Major Gifts, Planning, Strategic Plans

Many organizations have a transactional mindset when setting goals for major gifts. But when leadership pulls a number out of a hat (think: “Raise X% more than last year”), it doesn’t honor the donor or acknowledge their passions. Instead of a blanket goal that...
5 Things to Do When You Get Back from the Holidays [Podcast Episode]

5 Things to Do When You Get Back from the Holidays [Podcast Episode]

by | Jan 6, 2023 | , , , , | Fundraising, Major Gift Officers, MGOs, Planning, Self-care

When you get back to the office or start up your computer again after a holiday, it always takes a while to get re-oriented. To help you refocus on your goals, here are a few tips for where to allocate your time in the first weeks of January. We hope you had a...