Take Your Time!
“If we start a major gift program this month, I’m sure we can have some good returns two or three months from now. Don’t you agree?” No, we don’t. But unfortunately, Jeff and I and the rest of our team hear some form of this very phrase regularly – where an authority...
You Reap What You Sow
One of the great things I get to do every week is analyze major donor data from many different organizations. Over the years Richard and I have reviewed hundreds of non-profits’ data. The data reveals how their major gift programs are performing, what the potential...
The Unrealistic Expectations of Management
I will never forget the meeting. We had just started working with his 2 major gift officers, and the manager came in and said: “Richard, I don’t care about your forecast or what the donors have been giving. What I want is new money.” And then he walked out. Well, I...
Creating Forecasts and Budgets for Major Gifts
Did you yawn when you saw the title of this blog? I mean, who cares about forecasts and budgets for major gifts? Certainly a MGO doesn’t have any interest in this topic, right? But you should, because it creates one basis for your job evaluation. If a major gift...
The Three Economic Elements of a Major Gift Caseload
A major gift caseload is not just a bunch of donors who meet a certain giving or capacity criteria. It is true that current giving and capacity play into the selection of a caseload pool, from which you should qualify out those donors who actually want to connect. It...TOP RATED PODCAST
Twice monthly, Richard and Jeff address current topics and classic problems in major gift fundraising.
