Blog - Center for Major Gifts

Smiling woman speaking on the phone in a bright office, expressing gratitude or excitement for agift made to her nonprofit.

Stewardship

Perfecting the Thank-You Call: How a Five-Minute Phone Chat Can Triple Donor Retention

A quick, heartfelt thank-you call can do more than express gratitude—it can dramatically boost donor retention and long-term giving. In fact, nonprofits that consistently call donors within 48 hours of a gift often see stronger loyalty, larger future gifts, and deeper emotional connections. This article explores why these five-minute phone chats are so effective, how to make them meaningful (not scripted), and how your organization can turn simple appreciation into a powerful fundraising strategy.

Joe Garecht March 22, 2025 No Comments

An image of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly similar to a person transforming in 6 months.

Productivity

Change Your Life in Just 6 Months

Consistency is essential practice to change life in 6 months. Start by making realistic goals and daily routines to support your objectives.

Viken Mikaelian March 19, 2025 No Comments

An image of a person drawing up a vision board with post-its.

Goal Setting

Achieve Your Goals Faster and Easier with an Effective Vision Board

A vision board is used to achieve goals. It involves collecting words and images that represent your aspirations. It helps to track progress.

Viken Mikaelian March 18, 2025 No Comments

Cartoon of a fundraiser standing in front of a blackboard labeled "Charitable Remainder Unitrusts," reassuring two confused alumni with the caption: "Now, now. No reason to be intimidated by planned giving… unless you were hoping to get it in under an hour.

Estate Planning

Host a Planned Giving Seminar?

Think hosting a planned giving seminar will excite donors? Think again. Most people won’t show up because they see it as a fundraising pitch. But when you frame the conversation around estate planning, attendance skyrockets. People care about protecting their family, ensuring their wishes are honored, and avoiding legal headaches—charitable giving follows naturally. Stop pushing planned giving presentations that fall flat. Engage donors the right way. Host an estate planning session instead.

Viken Mikaelian March 15, 2025 No Comments

An image of a man weighing two different decisions in his head to hold himself accountable.

Personal Growth

How to Make Yourself Accountable to Yourself

Being accountable is a proven tool for achieving goals. Regularly review your performance to track your achievements.

Viken Mikaelian March 13, 2025 No Comments

An image of a wood sign saying good practice referring to good habits making a good year.

Goal Setting

Create One Great Habit a Month and Have a Great Year

Creating one great habit can be simple. Focus on establishing one habit at a time, allowing it to become a consistent part of your life.

Viken Mikaelian March 12, 2025 No Comments

Major Gifts

Are Today’s Low-Dollar Donors Tomorrow’s Major Givers?

Many nonprofits focus on “whale hunting” for major donors while overlooking a powerful long-term strategy—cultivating small-dollar donors into future major givers. A vibrant pipeline of engaged, recurring donors creates a sustainable funding base, and with the right cultivation, some will naturally step up to higher levels of giving. By implementing a structured donor journey, personal outreach, and wealth screening, organizations can transform everyday supporters into major donors who drive lasting impact. The future of philanthropy starts small—but grows big.

Joe Garecht March 10, 2025 No Comments

Professional Development

Decoding Nonprofit Job Titles: A Survival Guide

Nonprofit job titles: where modesty goes to die and adjectives multiply faster than rabbits. We’ve decoded the secret language where “fundraiser” transforms into “Vice President of Philanthropic Synergy” overnight. Spoiler alert: fancy titles don’t raise money—skills do. So before updating your LinkedIn with “Supreme Chancellor of Donor Relations,” remember: donors give to people who understand their dreams, not to people who spent three hours designing their business cards.

Viken Mikaelian March 7, 2025 No Comments

Give and Take