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...
Why Won’t You Invest in Your Major Gifts Program?
Sixth in a Series: Unhealthy Major Gift Practices Imagine this. You are an investment advisor, and a client comes to you with $10,000 to invest. You offer her several options. Here is what you say: “Ann, you have several choices, and they all have the same risk: “With...
The Fascination with New Money
I just heard another tragic story of a MGO who has been beaten up by her boss with a demand for new money in her very first year of employment. It makes me angry and sad. Angry, because this boss does not understand how major gifts works and, because of his ignorance,...
How Strong is Your Portfolio?
I’ve reviewed a lot of major gift portfolios lately, and I’ve seen too many whose growth is stagnant. My analysis has shown many instances of revenue over a four-year period with losses of up to 10-15%, or gains only in the 1-7% range. That’s less than 2% growth a...
How to Calculate the Number of MGOs You Need
When is it the right time to add a MGO to your organization’s staff, and how many do you need? Jeff and I are often asked for a formula. While there are many variables to consider, it boils down to these 4 points: What kind of return on investment do you want and...TOP RATED PODCAST
Twice monthly, Richard and Jeff address current topics and classic problems in major gift fundraising.
