The Economics of Major Gift Fundraising Series #2 – Old Money vs. New Money

There is nothing that causes a bigger debate in the major gift business, next to who gets credit, than the subject of old money/new money. A couple of months ago I was meeting with a CEO of a very large non-profit. He got so heated in his discussion with me on this...

Transactional vs. Transformational Gifts

I was in a meeting recently when the development director blurted out, “We need more transformational gifts!  All I’m seeing lately are small gifts of $10-20K.” What he was really trying to say was that he wanted more $100K, $500K and $1MM plus type of gifts coming...

Things Major Donors Want Series #5 – To Make A Difference

John Kennedy once said, “One person can make a difference and every person should try.” I know one thing for sure: We all want to make a difference in some way or another.  And I think more and more, donors are realizing that they can make a difference – that the...