Have you ever wondered how some nonprofits seem to achieve their most ambitious goals with ease while others struggle to stay afloat? What’s their secret? In many cases, it’s a well-executed major gift program. Major gifts are the cornerstone of sustainable fundraising, yet starting a program can feel overwhelming, especially if your organization has never ventured into this territory before. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it alone. I’ll walk you through the essential steps to launch a successful major gift program that can elevate your nonprofit from surviving to thriving. By the end of this edition of Scaling Major Gifts, you’ll not only feel inspired but equipped with actionable strategies to get started today. 

As I approach my third decade in the world of fundraising, I'm continually amazed by the evolving landscape of major gift cultivation. The digital revolution has transformed how we connect with donors, and it's crucial that we adapt our strategies accordingly. Today, I want to share some insights on integrating digital approaches into your annual plan for major gift cultivation.

I've seen firsthand how a robust major gifts pipeline can make or break a capital campaign. Whether you're a seasoned development director or a board member new to fundraising, the ability to cultivate and secure major gifts is crucial for your organization's growth and impact.

As I reflect on my nearly three decades in the nonprofit sector, one truth stands out: a thriving major gifts program is the lifeblood of sustainable fundraising. Yet, I've seen countless organizations struggle to fully engage their boards in this critical area. Today, I want to share some hard-earned wisdom on creating a board-driven major gifts culture that can transform your fundraising efforts.

In this edition of Scaling Major Gifts, we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart: how to identify and qualify potential major gift prospects. I'm sharing some tried-and-true strategies that have served me well over the years.

As I reflect on my nearly three decades in major gift fundraising, I'm struck by how often I've seen organizations struggle with balancing individual and team goals. It's a challenge that resonates with major gift officers, development directors, executive directors, and board members alike. In my experience, finding this balance is crucial for creating a thriving major gifts program that benefits both the fundraisers and the organization as a whole. I've developed and observed several strategies that can help organizations navigate these challenges.

Over the years, I've seen countless development professionals struggle with sporadic donor engagement and last-minute fundraising pushes. Sound familiar? I've been there too. But I've learned that a well-structured annual plan can transform your major gift program from reactive to proactive, ultimately leading to stronger donor relationships and increased giving. Today, I want to share a game-changing tool that has revolutionized my approach to donor cultivation: the 12-month major gift cultivation calendar.

As I approach my third decade in nonprofit fundraising, I'm continually amazed by the transformative power of capital and comprehensive campaigns. These ambitious endeavors have the potential to catapult organizations to new heights, but they also come with their fair share of challenges. Today, I want to share some insights I've gained from my journey to help you prepare for campaign success.

In my nearly 30 years working in the nonprofit sector, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative major donors can be for an organization. Whether you’re a major gift officer, development director, executive director, or board member, cultivating these relationships is not just about securing large gifts—it’s about building meaningful partnerships that can fuel your mission for years to come. Yet, I know from experience that this can often feel like one of the most challenging aspects of fundraising. In this edition, I want to share five strategies that have worked for me and my clients to help you overcome common hurdles and achieve success.

After nearly three decades on the frontlines of philanthropy, I've learned that one of the most crucial skills for any development professional is the ability to identify and qualify potential major gift prospects. It's a challenge that has kept me up at night more times than I care to admit, but it's also been the source of some of my greatest professional triumphs.

After nearly three decades in nonprofit fundraising, I've learned that one of the most challenging - yet rewarding - aspects of our work is guiding loyal annual donors toward transformational capital campaign gifts. As development professionals, we often find ourselves caught between the pressure to meet annual fundraising goals and the need to cultivate major donors for future campaigns. It's a delicate balance, but one that's crucial for long-term organizational success. In this edition, I share five strategies to help transition annual donors to capital campaign supporters.

After nearly three decades in the nonprofit sector, I've seen firsthand how crucial major donors are to an organization's success. As a chief philanthropy officer turned consultant, I've had the privilege of working with countless nonprofits, and I've learned that cultivating these relationships is both an art and a science. In this edition, I want to share with you five strategies that I've found to be incredibly effective in nurturing major donor relationships.

As a major gift expert with nearly three decades of experience, I've seen firsthand how moves management can transform a nonprofit's fundraising efforts. Yet, I've also witnessed many organizations struggle to implement this powerful strategy effectively. In this edition, I want to share some insights on overcoming common challenges in moves management implementation.

As I reflect on my nearly three decades in the nonprofit sector, one thing has become crystal clear: the power of a strong, collaborative team in driving major gift success. I've seen firsthand how a team-first culture can transform a department from a group of individual fundraisers into a cohesive unit that consistently exceeds goals and retains top talent. If you're looking to create a more collaborative major gifts culture in your organization, here are some steps you can take today: