The fundraising environment has shifted. Donor expectations are higher. Leadership is demanding more. And major gift officers are increasingly expected to manage complex relationships and close significant gifts without the ongoing training to back them up.
The Major Gifts Officer Bootcamp 2026 was designed in direct response to what we hear most from development professionals across the sector: they have passion and relationships, but no shared framework for how to move donors forward systematically.
This program gives you that framework. Twelve weeks of live, expert-led training covering every stage of major gift work — from mindset and portfolio management through cultivation, the ask, and stewardship. Not theory. Not inspiration. A step-by-step process you can apply immediately.
If you are a development leader, the fastest path to better major gift results is your whole team working from the same playbook. When your MGOs share a common language, consistent qualification criteria, and aligned conversation strategies, results compound. You spend less time re-aligning and more time closing.
If you are an individual practitioner, the Bootcamp gives you the structure, coaching, and peer community that most major gift officers never get — and that make an immediate difference in how you work.
This program is the right fit if you are a:
For any questions about the Major Gifts Officer Training Bootcamp, please contact coaching@gailperry.com.
TIER 3: INDIVIDUAL
Flying solo? You still get the full Bootcamp experience. All 12 live sessions, three small-group coaching calls, recordings, tools, templates, and a community of fellow MGOs cheering you on.
Let’s be honest: that’s less than the cost of one conference trip, and you don’t even have to pack a suitcase. Break it down and it’s about $166 per week to transform how you raise major gifts.
You’ll leave each session with practical tools and the confidence to put them to work immediately.
TIER 2: INDIVIDUAL VIP
Only 5 seats available
Everything in the individual registration, plus three private 45-minute strategy sessions with Gina Vaughn, Vice President of Client Service.
That’s one-on-one counsel on your actual portfolio, your actual donors, your actual asks.
Perfect for the Development professional who wants Bootcamp plus a personal strategist in their corner.
TIER 1: TEAM
Best value
Bring your whole major gifts team through Bootcamp together. Same training, same coaching, same tools, and one shared playbook when you’re done.
Teams that train together align faster, course-correct together, and get to results faster than individuals learning in isolation.
Your organization builds momentum together, not one fundraiser at a time.
One closed major gift covers your registration many times over.
This is not a survey course. It is a structured, cumulative training designed to build real competency across every phase of major gift fundraising. The Major Gifts Officer Bootcamp:
| Teaches a complete system rather than isolated tactics
| Emphasizes mindset and posture shifts
| Provides repeatable, proprietary frameworks that work across different donor types
| Includes real case studies showing strategy in action
| Offers peer learning through group coaching calls and cohort experience
“I walked into this program overwhelmed and out of ideas—and walked out with a six-figure gift. This Intensive changed everything for me.”
“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.”
“This gave me the clarity and courage to have donor conversations I’d been avoiding for months.”
“We hit our $100,000 monthly goal for June –Never thought that would happen!!”
“Our donor offered a gift of $1.5 million without a formal ask!”
“We quickly secured one donor who doubled her gift!”
You don’t have to do major gift fundraising alone.
Major gift fundraising can be isolating. High-stakes goals, complex portfolios, and limited internal support are the reality for most major gift officers — whether you are a solo practitioner or part of a larger team.
The Bootcamp is designed to change that. Participants join a cohort of like-minded MGOs and advancement professionals working through the same challenges. Three small-group coaching sessions go beyond content: they create space to troubleshoot real situations, pressure-test strategies, and build peer relationships that outlast the program.
Fundraisers tell us consistently: the community makes a measurable difference. You leave with new skills and a professional network that continues to support your work.
If you’re committed to growing major gifts and ready for expert training with real results, this is your next step.
Gina Vaughn, Vice President of Client Service, is a well-rounded and accomplished fundraiser and consultant with more than 25 years of professional experience. Gina is known for her leadership and precise strategic counsel, carefully and thoughtfully managing key relationships among clients and their constituents. Gina’s experience spans government, education, and healthcare.
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’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.
Olivia Peraino, Client Services Manager, is a dynamic development professional with extensive experience in higher education fundraising, specializing in annual fund strategy, donor engagement, strategic planning, and campaign execution.
The Major Gifts 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:
Topic 1: Mindset, Teamwork, and the Culture of Philanthropy
Set yourself up for success from day one by cultivating the mindset and team dynamics that drive transformational major gift fundraising. This foundational session establishes the principles that will guide your entire fundraising approach.
Topic 2: Managing Up: Leadership Questions & Reporting for MGOs
Master the art of communicating with your leadership team and navigating the unique challenges major gift officers face. Learn to build trust and credibility with the decision-makers who support your fundraising efforts.
Topic 3: Portfolio Management 101
Gain control and clarity over your donor pipeline with proven portfolio management strategies. Develop the systems and frameworks that ensure no major gift prospect falls through the cracks.
Topic 4: Getting Appointments: The Key to Moving Forward
Unlock the secret to building a strong major gift pipeline: securing donor meetings. Master the techniques that top fundraisers use to move conversations forward and keep your pipeline flowing.
Topic 5: Qualification Boot Camp: Discovering Your Best Prospects
Topic 6: Cultivation Strategies: The Art of the Conversation
Topic 7: Engaging Volunteers in Major Gift Fundraising
Topic 8: Strategy to Ask: The Art of the Gift Conversation
Topic 9: From Ask to Close: The Collaborative Ask
Topic 10: After the Gift: What’s Next
Topic 11: Wrap Up & Key Concepts
Bring it all together in this comprehensive capstone that synthesizes the strategies, frameworks, and tools from the entire bootcamp. Leave with a clear roadmap for applying these skills and strategies to drive major gift success at your organization.
Plus Support, Coaching AND Bonus Resources
For any questions about the course please don’t hesitate to contact coaching@gailperry.com.
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:
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.
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”
You may choose to pay in full today or reserve your spot with a $100 deposit. The remaining balance will be charged automatically on August 21, 2026.
Refunds Policy for 2026 TBD:
Cancel by August 21, 2026 for a full refund, including your deposit.
From September 11th-October 9th we’ll offer a prorated refunds based on timeline.
After October 9th, no refunds will be issued—but you may transfer your registration to a colleague or apply your payment as a credit toward a future Major Gifts Intensive.
Have questions? Just reach out—we’re always glad to help.