Blog - Page 21 of 25 - Center for Major Gifts

quality question answer magnifying glass with lightbulb

For Donors

Ask a Quality Question, Get a Quality Answer

Do you struggle to generate exceptional questions for donor interviews? Then struggle no more: This post will show you a guaranteed way to generate thought-provoking interview questions that generate comprehensive, high-quality answers. And the best part is, whether it’s an interview for a donor story, annual report, board report, newsletter story — even a job or candidate interview — all of these skills will translate. Plus, we’ve included 31 sample questions that you can adapt for your next donor interview.

June 11, 2021 No Comments

Board Governance

How to Build a Culture of Philanthropy at Your Non-Profit

There are some non-profits where fundraising seems like a constant drag… These non-profits don’t have a strong culture of philanthropy. At other non-profits, fundraising is a source of pride and excitement, where new donations are celebrated, people are happy to lend a helping hand to the development office, and where fundraising programs seem to hum along. These non-profits have a strong culture of philanthropy.

June 6, 2021 No Comments

Fundraising Strategy

Minor Steps, Major Wins: Securing Major Gifts through Planned Giving

It may be clear that planned giving is worth the time and investment. But how does one begin to develop a planned giving program that will lead to major gifts down the line? Can receiving planned gifts and eventually, major gifts, actually be that straightforward? Here are some simple steps for building a planned giving program that will allow your nonprofit to win big in the future.

June 1, 2021 No Comments

Selfie photograph of employees working at a nonprofit

Career Change

Why Work for a Nonprofit?

When you’ve been working in the philanthropy field as long as I have, you hear some of the same questions over and over. One of them is, “why work for a nonprofit?” It’s a good question. Working for a nonprofit isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. There’s a lot of turnover. There’s a misleading impression that it’s low-paying work. And it can mean long hours.

May 22, 2021 1 Comment

Fundraising Strategy

How to Write a Great Donor Thank You Letter

One of your most important roles as a non-profit fundraiser is to steward your current donors so that they keep giving year after year. The starting point for this process is your donor thank you letter.

May 19, 2021 No Comments

Fundraising Consultant Pointing to Monitor Surrounded by a Group of Fundraisers

Fundraising Consulting

How to Get Started as a Fundraising Consultant

There are thousands of independent fundraising consultants working in the field today, ranging from strategy consultants to direct mail copywriters to grantwriters. While there is lots of opportunity for consultants, it can be hard to get started. If you’re a fundraiser looking to become a fundraising consultant, use these tips to get started.

May 6, 2021 No Comments

Fundraising Strategy

The 4 Phases of a Successful Major Donor Strategy for Your Non-Profit

The world’s best fundraising programs rely on a strong major gifts program to fund their work. In this article, I’m going to show you how to build a major donor strategy for your organization that raises the money your non-profit needs to thrive.

April 24, 2021 1 Comment

Fundraising Strategy

Virtual Major Gift Fundraising — A Trend For The Future

As a major gift officer, it is vital to remain flexible. When society was forced into the virtual world, successful fundraisers jumped with it. The need for donations does not stop despite world events, and leading nonprofits took the opportunity to use a new resource for major gift fundraising.

April 19, 2021 No Comments