3 Ways to Perfect Your Major Donor Strategy—Just Like Homemade Eggnog
2024When it comes to closing major and transformational gifts, it’s a lot like making the perfect batch of homemade eggnog.
Both take patience, balance, and the comfort of a tried-and-true recipe. As we head into the holiday season, consider these three tips to help you whip up major donor relationships that are smooth, rich, and truly satisfying.
1. Take Your Time
Just as eggnog needs to sit and “cure” overnight, major donor relationships take time. You can’t rush the process.
Give your donors the space they need and nurture those connections at their own pace. Patience today leads to generous, heartfelt gifts tomorrow.
2. Find the Right Mix of Ingredients
Eggnog calls for just the right balance of eggs, sugar and milk. The same goes for crafting the appropriate mix of donor cultivation activities.
Your recipe may call for private invitations, sincere acknowledgement, finding out the donor story, and opening up a gift conversation at the right time.
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Adjust as needed to find that perfect mix of outreach and engagement that feels just right to your donor.
3. Trust the Classic Recipe
Some recipes have stood the test of time for a reason. The same goes for developing major donor relationships.
Classic approaches—focusing on the donor’s very specific interests, building on why they care, and putting the donor’s needs first—work year after year.
When you stick to these proven methods, you’ll see results that everyone can celebrate.
BOTTOM LINE: Like a treasured family recipe passed down through generations, a classic approach to major gift relationships will create generous, lasting support.
Here’s to a season filled with warmth, goodwill, and major donors who give with all their hearts.
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RESOURCES
- Gail Perry’s Killer Eggnog Recipe
- The Old Ask vs the Collaborative Ask: Seven Shifts To Close Mega Gifts
- Self-Care Strategies & Tips for Nonprofit Fundraisers
As always, it is a pleasure to share our weekly insights with you as we cover important fundraising strategies.
If your organization is planning a capital campaign or expanding your major gifts program – we can help.
Send an email to capitalcampaigns@gailperry.com if you’d like to schedule a free strategy call with us.
2024
