Do You Need Both Revenue AND Aspirational Goals in Major Gifts?

Do You Need Both Revenue AND Aspirational Goals in Major Gifts?

by | May 8, 2024 | , , , , , | Budget, Budgets, Finance, Fundraising, Goal-setting

One of my favorite strategies that we’ve implemented into our major gifts coaching is the idea of an aspirational goal. But before I get to that, let me back up and talk a bit more about how we think about and approach goal setting overall. In our major gifts system,...
The Wind Is at Your Back. What Are YOU Going to Do?

The Wind Is at Your Back. What Are YOU Going to Do?

by | Apr 8, 2024 | , , , , , | Economics, Giving, Major Gifts, Mid-Level, Non-Profits, Performance

You may have heard that there’s a new fundraising report out called the Philanthropy Outlook by Lilly School of Philanthropy and sponsored by CCS. Basically, the report says that the forecast for 2024 and 2025 is that overall, giving will go up 4.2% and 3.9%. For...
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...
Frustrating Things Non-Profits Do that Hijack Major Gifts: Part 4

Frustrating Things Non-Profits Do that Hijack Major Gifts: Part 4

by | Feb 20, 2023 | , , , | Fundraising, Leadership, Major Gifts, Management, Non-Profits

Okay, this is going to be the last in the series of all the terrible things non-profits do that hurt major gifts. I hope by shedding light on these you will be able to evaluate your own program and organization and make a check list of areas to improve so that your...
Frustrating Things Non-Profits Do that Hijack Major Gifts: Part 3

Frustrating Things Non-Profits Do that Hijack Major Gifts: Part 3

by | Feb 17, 2023 | , , , | Fundraising, Leadership, Major Gifts, Management, Non-Profits

Every non-profit wants to grow revenue. And they truly want to have engaged donors. I really believe that, but the problem is that most non-profits focus on the money when fundraising, not on their donors. When the focus is on money, while you may get some, you will...