A Timely Training for a Changing Fundraising Climate
Fundraisers are facing tough questions right now. Budgets are shrinking. Donor priorities are shifting. And organizations everywhere are being asked to do more with less.
That’s why we created the Major Gift Officer Bootcamp 2025—a streamlined training experience for advancement professionals who need to grow their major gifts skills now.
This program is purpose-built for mid-level fundraisers, major gift officers, advancement and development officers, and small-shop leaders. It’s designed for professionals who are actively cultivating donor relationships and want to become more confident, effective, and successful at closing gifts.
What You’ll Gain:
Program Details
Dates: September 11 – December 3, 2025
Format: LIVE weekly webinars (75 minutes each)
In addition:
- 3 small group coaching sessions with your peers
- On-demand access to session replays
- Additional pre-recorded Deep Dive sessions on specific topics
- Email access to your instructors
Location: Online
Cost: $1,695 per person | $6,000 per team of 4
CFRE Credits available (1 point per hour)
For any questions about the Major Gifts Officer Training Bootcamp, please contact coaching@gailperry.com.
This program is for you if…
You seek major gifts officer training to strengthen your skills, grow your confidence, and raise more gifts. You belong in this program if you’re a:
This program is packed with guidance that works in the real world—for lean teams, big institutions, and everyone in between.
Why We Created This New Major Gift Officer Bootcamp
For more than 12 years, our signature training has helped hundreds of nonprofit teams build successful major gifts programs, deepen donor relationships, and close transformational gifts.
But that program was built for full development teams.
This new training is different.
The Major Gift Officer Training Bootcamp 2025 was created in direct response to what we’ve heard from smart nonprofit fundraising professionals from the field:
have asked us:
“Do you have something just for Major Gift Officers?”
Now we do.
This course is purpose-built for frontline fundraisers—those actively managing donor portfolios, leading conversations, and working to close significant gifts.
It’s also designed for emerging professionals who need a solid foundation in portfolio management, donor engagement strategies, and gift conversation skills.
We designed this program for major gift officers, mid-level fundraisers, and advancement professionals who want to:
- Build confidence
- Sharpen their skills
- And learn how to close major gifts with ease and consistency
We’re also seeing a new generation of fundraisers entering the field—people who are deeply committed to their mission but haven’t had formal training in how to engage donors or navigate gift conversations. This program meets that need, too.
This Isn’t Theory—It’s Real-World Strategy
You’ll get actionable guidance you can use right away, backed by expert support from seasoned fundraising consultants.
Because in today’s climate, you need more than a playbook.
You need structure, coaching, and a community to help you succeed.
You’ll walk away with proven tools, donor conversation frameworks, and a clear roadmap to success—including how to manage your major gift portfolio strategically so you focus on the right donors at the right time.
If you’re ready to learn what actually works in today’s fundraising landscape, and build the major gifts officer skills you need to succeed, this program was built for you.
What’s Inside the MGO Bootcamp
What Participants In Our Major Gifts Trainings Say
“I walked into this program overwhelmed and out of ideas—and walked out with a six-figure gift. This Intensive changed everything for me.”
“This gave me the clarity and courage to have donor conversations I’d been avoiding for months.”
“Just this morning we received a gift of $437,500 in support of our research and some training. ! It’s one of the most substantial wins we’ve had in my entire time here. Thank you for the tools and strategies our team gained through the Major Gifts Intensive.”
“Our donor offered a gift of $1.5 million without a formal ask!”
“We hit our $100,000 monthly goal for June –Never thought that would happen!!”
“We quickly secured one donor who doubled her gift!”
Learn With a Powerful Peer Community
You don’t have to do major gift fundraising alone.
A Community That Truly Gets It
One of the most powerful parts of this program? You’ll become part of a vibrant peer learning community of fundraisers who understand exactly what you’re facing.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Fundraising can be isolating. You’re navigating big donor expectations, complex portfolios, and high-stakes goals—often without enough internal support or people to bounce ideas off of.
That’s why we’ve built a supportive space just for you.
Real Conversations with People on the Same Path
During the training, you’ll be connected with a group of like-minded major gift officers, mid-level fundraisers, and nonprofit advancement professionals who are working toward the same goals. Together, you’ll share ideas, talk through real-world challenges, and help each other succeed.
Small Group Coaching That Makes It Personal
You’ll also take part in three small-group coaching sessions, where you can:
- Get direct input on your strategy from expert coaches
- Troubleshoot challenges in donor conversations or portfolio management
- Learn from what’s working for your peers
- Build confidence through real-time encouragement and feedback
More Than Support—It’s a Shift
This peer support system is more than helpful—it’s transformative.
Fundraisers tell us again and again: the community makes all the difference. You’ll gain new perspectives, fresh energy, and practical solutions that you can’t get on your own.
A Network That Stays With You
the end of the program, you won’t just have new skills—you’ll have a professional fundraising network you can lean on well beyond the final session.
Because when you connect with others who understand your work, you grow faster, raise more, and feel more confident doing it.
Get Ready to Raise More—With Less Stress
If you’re committed to growing major gifts, and ready for expert training with real results—this is your next step.
Understanding the Challenges Facing Major Gift Fundraisers Today
Why Effective Training Matters More Than Ever
Major Gifts Are More Critical—And More Complex—Than Ever
Major gift fundraising has never been more essential—or more complex.
Today’s fundraisers are being asked to close transformational gifts in a rapidly shifting environment—often without the training, tools, or team structure they need to succeed.
Fundraisers Are Facing Real-World Challenges
Donor expectations are higher. Leadership is demanding results. And yet, many gift officers are still left to figure things out on their own.
Here’s what we’re seeing across the sector:
- Donor portfolios are misaligned or overloaded, making it hard to focus on the right relationships
- Conversations with donors stall out because there’s no clear next step or shared strategy
- Fundraisers are expected to “just know” how to close major gifts, without formal training
- Leadership volunteers and champions go underutilized because staff feel unsure how to engage them
- Many fundraisers are working in isolation—without colleagues to share ideas, test strategies, or troubleshoot challenges
- Younger or newer professionals are stepping into major gift roles with great passion—but little support
These Are Systemic Issues—Not Personal Failures
These barriers aren’t about effort or talent. They’re structural.
Even the most skilled fundraisers need more than instincts and good intentions.
They need coaching, structure, and a framework that actually works.
Why Effective Training Makes All the Difference
That’s why we created this program.
Major Gifts Officer Bootcamp 2025 is designed to meet you right where you are—whether you’re an experienced fundraiser looking to sharpen your strategy, or a newer gift officer ready to build a strong foundation.
You’ll gain the clarity, support, and step-by-step process to confidently move donors from interest to investment—and build lasting success in today’s evolving fundraising landscape.
Meet Your Expert Instructors
Gail Perry, MBA, CFRE
A best-selling author, international speaker, and a LinkedIn “Top Voice in Philanthropy”, Gail Perry’s Fired-Up Fundraising approach has helped nonprofits across North America raise hundreds of millions in gifts. With more than 30 years’ experience, Gail specializes in capital campaigns, board development and building major gifts programs. She developed the Major Gifts Intensive to help fundraisers increase their professional accomplishments and grow the impact of their organizations. Gail is President and Founder of the Gail Perry Group and recently named #10 of America’s Top Fundraising Experts.
Dr. Kathryn Gamble
The creator of Gail Perry Group’s “Fundraising by the Numbers” methodology, Kathryn’s career is marked by record-breaking achievements in major gift and capital campaign fundraising. As Vice President of Client Advancement at the Gail Perry Group and a data analytics expert, she combines academic rigor with practical expertise. Kathryn regularly presents her research on nonprofit board governance, and her analytical skills and strategic insights continue to drive transformative results in the nonprofit sector. She is also an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University teaching nonprofit governance and fundraising.
Charles E. “Chuck” Davis III
With almost 30 years leading advancement programs in the higher education, secondary school, and nonprofit sectors, Chuck Davis supports our domestic and international clients with strategic fundraising.
Chuck has a track record of helping educational institutions facilitate the most significant gifts in their history, while building processes and teams for sustained success. He is a proud graduate of Furman University and is a key leader in nurturing authentic relationships which result in transformational philanthropy.
Evan Northup
Evan’s experience as the head of development for the Foundation for Philanthropy at AFP International Headquarters, her deep understanding of nonprofit technology, extensive consulting work in various aspects of fundraising, and her remarkable track record extending across diverse sectors will undoubtedly lead to an increased spotlight on our clients’ impact, value, and potential for growth.
Curriculum to Boost Your Performance
The Major Gift Officer Training is intentionally designed to elevate your major gifts strategy and success. Together, you will engage in an immersive experience and come out stronger. Here’s what to expect:
For any questions about the course please don’t hesitate to contact coaching@gailperry.com.
Your Top Questions, Answered
What are the dates of the Major Gifts Intensive program?
The program runs on Tuesdays, from March 4 to June 17, 2025.
The live sessions take place at 2 pm Eastern/ 11 am Pacific for one hour.
Need to miss a session for an important donor meeting? No problem! Every session is recorded and kept in our portal for you to watch – or review up to a year from the course ending.
To support your learning and to help you access the portal for the first time, we will share a brief 30-minute orientation about using the portal.
One registration includes up to 4 team members. What if we have a larger team who wants to participate?
We have welcomed teams of all sizes – even a team of 19 major gift and planned giving fundraisers!
If you have more than 4 participants you believe will benefit – board members, leadership team members, colleagues or key ambassadors – it is only an additional $500 per person.
The reduced rate for each additional seat reflects our focus on team-wide transformation. It is our commitment to working with the entire team to build a thriving major gift program that truly sets the Major Gifts Intensive apart from other programs.
How long is each weekly course session?
Each live session is designed to last 60 minutes, with 5 – 10 minutes for open Q&A at the conclusion. The webinar-style sessions are hosted on Zoom, and you’ll receive a reminder the day before and the day of each session.
What is the financial investment?
The cost of the course is $6,500 for up to 4 attendees from your organization. You can pay all at once, or in 3 installments.
Why do you encourage team participation in this Intensive?
We believe teamwork is one of the foundations of a successful fundraising team. By engaging whole teams, a shared language and common frameworks are shared, and team priorities become aligned.
This comprehensive, team-oriented approach fosters a genuine culture of philanthropy, built from within your organization. The result is a more cohesive and effective major gifts operation – and it makes your day-to-day efforts a lot more rewarding.
But what if I’m a team of one?
We understand that many nonprofits operate with a single-person development office, and you likely juggle multiple responsibilities beyond fundraising. We do welcome solo practitioners to our program. Please note, the most successful “one-person shops” in our past cohorts have approached the Major Gifts Intensive with these strategies:
- Maintaining a sharp focus on major gift efforts throughout the program
- Temporarily re-allocating their time away from other tasks
- Prioritizing the Major Gifts Intensive training and then implementing the foundational major gift work
This approach allows solo fundraisers to fully engage with the program and implement crucial major gift strategies, even with limited resources.
What if we want additional private coaching sessions for our team?
We would enjoy working more closely with your team to ensure success and have found that many teams benefit from this additional level of support. Please contact us at Coaching@GailPerry.com to learn more.
How much time will I need to invest?
Participants can plan to spend approximately 60 to 90 minutes per week. You’ll be most successful if you apply the knowledge and strategies right away in your day-to-day fundraising.
This sounds really great! But I know I’ll need to get approval from my Vice President/ Executive Director/ Board Chair. Can you help me with this?
We’ve got your back! We know that agreement and approval is often needed from organizational leadership. We frequently receive this request and are well-prepared to help you build your own “case for support”!
You may click here [LINK] to download a “case for support” to provide your leadership to discuss.
I - or members of my team - have participated in the Major Gifts Intensive in the past, but new initiatives are headed our way or we’ve experienced department turnover. Is it wise to retake the program?
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that change is inevitable! And we are happy to help you at every step on your fundraising journey.
Yes, you and your colleagues are welcome to retake the Major Gifts Intensive course. The shared perspectives, common language and unified action plans we develop in the course never stop being crucial to your success. In fact, they become even more valuable as your organization evolves. Each year, we update the curriculum by responding to new research, economic forces, and fresh perspectives.
Many leaders we work with have made it a standard practice to enroll every new team member in the Major Gifts Intensive. This ensures that the shared framework is fully integrated across the team, allowing new colleagues to hit the ground running alongside their more experienced peers.
Whether you’re facing new initiatives or integrating new team members, a refresher can help realign your team and invigorate your major gift strategies.
Join the 150+ Organizations and Teams Transformed
A decade of transformational fundraising education: our proven track record
4KIDS of South Florida
Achievement Centers for Children & Families
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER USA
Adirondack Health Foundation
Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
American Kidney Fund
American Rivers
Animal Rescue League of Iowa
Australian Himalayan Foundation
BANANAS
Baptist Children’s Homes of NC
Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, Inc. (BEAM)
Blue Deer Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
Calvert Marine Museum
Campbell County Healthcare Foundation
CARE House of Oakland County
Caritas of Austin
CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County
Catholic Social Services
CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Foundation
Chicago Commons
Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County
Children’s Hope Alliance
Christian Library International
Citizen Advocacy Center
City Rescue Mission
Congo Initiative
Connelly School of the Holy Child
Cornerstone Community Housing
Crocker Art Museum
Cross International
Crossroads School, Inc.
De Benneville Pines, Inc.
Eagle’s Nest Foundation
East Carolina University (ECU Foundation)
Eyes Ears Nose and Paws
Families Together
Fannin County Children’s Center
Farmer Foodshare
Fleisher Art Memorial
For Kids’ Sake
Free Will Baptist Children Home
Friends of Bonobos/Lola ya Bonobo
Fuller Center for Housing > International- *Americus*
Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts
Georgia Organics
Global Autism Project
Global Fund for Children
GrieveWell
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County
Halachic Organ Donor Society
Halton Health Care
Harlem RBI
Hawaii Children’s Action Network
Hema-Quebec Foundation
Henry Ford Health System
Historic Columbus
HODS
Home Sweet Home Ministries, Inc.
Hospice Giving Foundation
Idaho Youth Ranch
Indiana 4-H Foundation at Purdue University
Institute for Community Living
International Fund for Animal Welfare
International House
Jhamtse International
Johnston Community College Foundation, Inc.
Kehillah Jewish Education Fund
Kindred Community Farm Sanctuary
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity
Koman Kansas City
Kuumbwa Jazz
La Clinica Del Pueblo
Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking
Ladies Union Benevolent Association dba Noyes Home for Children and Meadowview
Lomakatsi Restoration Project
Los Angeles Conservancy
Loudoun Therapeutic Riding
Maine Maritime Museum
Make A Difference – Wisconsin
Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio
McDaniel College
Me Fine Foundation, Inc.
Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation
Methodist Senior Services
Methodist Retirement Communities
Misericordia University
Montana Audubon
Mount Paran Christian School
Museum of Nebraska Art
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue
NAMI Wake County
Nassau County Council on Aging
National Children’s Advocacy Center
National Council of Jewish Women of Australia
National Trust for Canada
Nashville Public Library Foundation
NC Arboretum
NC Study Center
NCJWA
Next Step Ministries
North Carolina Outward Bound School
“The Major Gifts Intensive course is the best thing I ever did for my career. The curriculum is so comprehensive – I learned something from every part of it: from the psychological ideas to moves management, new ideas on discovery and especially the permission-based approach.
I’m able to better connect with my donors – particularly ‘skeptical’ donors with high capacity. This course also helped me navigate the large volume of donors at the major and principal gift level.
I would tell anyone that if they want to be successful int heir career in gift planning, major gifts and principal gifts, this is the course they need to take”