Major Gifts Archives

Major Gifts

Crafting the Perfect Major Donor Ask: Techniques for Personalizing Your Pitch

In “Crafting the Perfect Major Donor Ask,” Joe Garecht provides essential guidance for nonprofits seeking to enhance their major donor fundraising through personalization. The article emphasizes moving beyond generic solicitations to create meaningful connections, covering crucial aspects like donor research, understanding motivations, customizing pitches, and maintaining relationships. Garecht details how organizations can align their needs with donor passions, balance emotional storytelling with data-driven results, and execute well-timed asks. The piece offers practical strategies for handling objections, following up effectively, and transforming transactional fundraising into lasting partnerships that sustain organizational missions.

Joe Garecht February 3, 2025 No Comments

Major Gifts

Emotional Intelligence: The Key Ingredient to Major Gifts Success

In every major gifts operation there are a few key factors that will either foster success or precipitate repeated frustration. In this brief, light, and digestible rant, I will define emotional intelligence and the role it plays in several aspects of successful major gifts management.

Barbara Kappel January 25, 2023 No Comments

For Donors

7 Ways to Build a Stronger Major Donor Program

7 Ways to Build a Stronger Major Donor Program Major donors are extremely important for your nonprofit. Every organization wishes they had more major donors,

Viken Mikaelian November 21, 2022 No Comments

Fundraising Strategy

Sofia’s Hope Knows the Power of Volunteers

A simple social media post changed the trajectory of Miami nonprofit Sofia’s Hope forever. This nonprofit, supporting families navigating childhood cancer and investing in research for pediatric cardio-oncology, received an unexpected major gift. Marta Blanco, the founder who built the organization to honor her daughter’s legacy, credits building their social network and staying laser-focused on their cause with this enduring major gift support and the further giving it has inspired. For the last five years, this major gift partnership has blossomed into an enduring philanthropic partnership, opening big doors for this small nonprofit.

Caitlin Fillmore September 27, 2022 No Comments

Fundraising Strategy

Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley hosts thriving special events each year as the major engine of financial support for this small Pennsylvania organization. However with the changes brought by COVID, this nonprofit seeks to diversify its funding and build a major gifts program. Executive Director Michelle Zenie describes her exciting vision for this foundation, including a much-needed capital campaign and plans for board development.

Caitlin Fillmore September 25, 2022 No Comments

Blended Gifts

Blended Gifts in a Capital Campaign. Where Do They Fit In?

Blended gifts are growing in popularity. Development pros are beginning to understand how a blended gift can fulfill a donor’s aspirational giving, allowing them to make a much larger gift than they had imagined possible. The current economic climate has resulted in more cautious giving. Donors are taking their time making a large outright gift, which is why using blended gifts during a campaign can be a successful strategy.

Viken Mikaelian September 6, 2022 No Comments