The Backburner List: A Major Gift Fundraiser’s Top Secret Strategy

The Backburner List: A Major Gift Fundraiser’s Top Secret Strategy

One of the biggest challenges for major gift fundraisers is prioritizing their assigned prospects, and understanding the role of a Backburner List. It’s a matter of organizing your portfolio. How do you sift through many names to find the…
NO ASK Fundraising Strategies for Board Members

NO ASK Fundraising Strategies for Board Members

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NO ASK fundraising strategies for board members? Is this possible? Often, we find that board members are nervous about the idea of fundraising. They want to help, but shy away from the idea of "asking." We recently shared our favorite list…
Major Donor Conversation Starters: "What Are Your Impressions?"

Major Donor Conversation Starters: “What Are Your Impressions?”

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People often ask us: "What do I talk about when I meet with donors?  How will I start a conversation? What questions should I ask? We have a very simple approach to starting conversations with donors. We like to probe, so we know immediately…

Five Ideas That Will Make Asking Much Easier and More Successful

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We all know that major gift fundraising comes down to the moment of truth - when you actually talk with a donor about a gift. So how can you make asking much easier and more successful? Often, it can be an exciting, scary moment. But an…

(MG Series #7) Use These Three Skills to Close Major Gifts Faster

We thought you might be interested in hearing about three skills everyone needs in order to close major gifts much faster. So today, in the final article of our Major Gifts 2021 content series, we’re sharing the secret skills that the best…

(MG Series #6) How to Secure a Transformational Gift

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We all dream about transformational gifts. Those are the gifts that can change your organization’s trajectory into a new, expanded reach. These are the gifts that can blow your mind – with all they can accomplish and the impact they can…

(MG Series #5) The Three Most Critical Elements of Every Successful Major Gift Program

Are you and your team ready for a prosperous and productive 2021? Are you making plans for more generous major and principal gifts to flow into your organization? We think 2021 will be a good, solid year for major gifts. With the soaring…

(MG Series #4) How to Bring Your Donor into an Ask Conversation, Seamlessly and Easily

It’s the moment of truth. There you are, in conversation with a major donor who’s really interested in an aspect of your work. She’s on the edge of her seat, asking detailed questions about the impact you are making.  You sit there…

(MG Series #3) How to Close More Major Gifts Using a Smart Prospect Management System

It’s so easy to be distracted when you are working on major gifts. Pursuing the wrong donor prospects can eat up a lot of time. How do you know you’re spending time on the right people, and not the wrong ones? How do you know that you’re…

(MG Series #2) How to Save Time Cultivating Donors and Move to the Ask Quickly

Happy Weekend! We thought you’d be interested in this topic today. And if you are interested in closing more major and principal gifts, then we have a great guide today for you to save time.  It’s about all the time we waste cultivating…

Superpowers of Successful Major Gift Fundraisers

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Does it ever feel like some fundraisers have superpowers? You know, those ones who raise six, seven and even eight-figure gifts. And you look at them and wonder, "what special qualities DO these talented major gift fundraisers have?" "How…

Managing Your Major Gift Portfolio Can Be This Easy

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Portfolio management may seem like a technical term. But it’s an excellent format to help you focus your attention on your best, and most likely donor prospects. Of course, one of the secrets to successful mega fundraising is identifying…

5 Rules for Major Gift Success in 2021

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Major gift fundraising has changed dramatically in the past year. And the major gift landscape may never be the same. Many of our "best practice" major gift strategies now seem out-of-date. An era where donors don't want to meet in person…

Don’t Forget to Approach Your Major Donors for Year-End Gifts

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We all know that year-end is the most productive time of the year for fundraising. So let's take advantage of the generosity this season and make sure you bring in the year-end gifts to meet your fundraising goal. With only a few days…

Step Up Your Ask With These Proven Strategies

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We are coming up on year-end and, as usual, there is one thing on fundraisers’ minds: “How can I effectively use this season to ask for gifts?”  I hope you are not thinking of using these themes or phrases in your appeals:  “Please…

How COVID Times Provide Unique Opportunities for Fundraising

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Yes, COVID times are hard for everyone to handle.  But don’t despair: We are finding that these times offer some pretty interesting and unique opportunities for fundraising.  Unusual times often bring up unusual opportunities and…