Cheerful Persistence – The Fundraiser’s Super Power
“We regret to inform you that we are unable to provide the requested funding at this time.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read those words with minor…
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Major Gifts
14 posts
Major gifts is a type of fundraising that focuses on asking individuals for large donations. Not for the faint of heart.
The Anatomy of the Ask
When Nathan, founder of The Almoner, asked me to write about the “Anatomy of the Ask,” my mind immediately returned to high school and college science classes—facts, experiments, science fairs—none…
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Tee ‘em Up
As fundraising team members, we must involve our leaders – whether it be a President, Executive Director, or CEO – in fundraising activities creatively and strategically. We also have…
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Major Gift Officer: Best Job in Development?
I was at a career crossroads, reflecting on Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” “Two roads diverged in a wood – and I….” How would I finish that line,…
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The Holy Grail of Fundraising – Major Gifts
For many organizations, creating a major gifts program is kind of like searching for the Holy Grail. They know they should be doing major gifts, know that it’s really important,…
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Are you using the right fundraising tools?
What kind of tool is THAT? Look at that picture. Do you know what that is? I didn’t either until about a week ago. When I decided that I was…
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Climbing Mount Donor – From the Top Down
Dear Sister Veronica, Looking at this giant number… $8,000,000… is kind of like staring at Mount Fuji before you start to climb. A little bit intimidating. Perhaps downright terrifying. That’s…
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There’s Gold in That Thar Database
Dear Sr. Veronica, Yes, I ate so much turkey that I just about sprouted feathers. It was fantastic. I think my favorite part of Thanksgiving is leftover turkey sandwiches. Stack…
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Stocked up – A Path to Bigger Gifts
Taking Stock of Major Gifts Dear Fr. Zagloba, I have great news about the matching grant! A few months ago, I mentioned the possibility of getting money from the Catholic…
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Fundraising Two By Two – Volunteers and You
A Biblical Buddy System Dear Mrs. Sanderson, This is wonderful news! I had hoped that Mr. Jenson would want to get involved once he understood your vision for the food…
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