MAJOR MOVES
Major gifts are not transactions; they are the byproduct of trust built over time. This category focuses on the human side of fundraising—listening, stewardship, credibility, and continuity. It examines why relationships fail, why donors disengage, and how disciplined relationship management outperforms tools and tactics. For professionals who understand that money follows confidence, not cleverness.
For those who drive change — not watch it. Join the top 1%.
An unresponsive major donor requires strategic follow-up, not emotional reaction. By avoiding assumptions, adjusting communication methods, allowing space when necessary, and maintaining pipeline discipline, major gifts professionals protect both relationships and long-term revenue stability.
Congratulations! You secured the biggest donation of your career! Your passionate presentation aligned perfectly with the donor’s desire to do some good. But a month later, your cheesy grin has melted. Deidre hasn’t paid up.
Properly Thanking Donors Is the Stewardship Key that Unlocks More Gifts Have you thanked a donor today? Thanking your donors early and often is an
A sharp elevator pitch can turn a fleeting introduction into a lasting donor relationship. Joe Garecht outlines how to craft and deliver a compelling message using a mission hook, tangible impact, and a soft call-to-action. He also emphasizes adapting your tone, avoiding jargon, and following up promptly—perhaps even with a legacy giving resource like LegacyPlanner™—to keep the conversation alive and open the door to deeper giving.
Married couples – and attached people in general – make giving decisions together. A recent survey finds that giving “together” is a shared activity many couples enjoy. So why would a fundraiser forget to include the spouse in a gift request?
How often have you heard, “but I don’t have the materials I need.” I’ve had tons of fundraisers tell me this in my 40+ years in the nonprofit sector.
Nostalgia marketing is effective, hot, and here to stay. Learn how non-profits can use this type of marketing to promote their giving programs.
In the coming years, it is expected that an economic phenomenon dubbed The Great Wealth Transfer will shake markets up as baby boomer parents begin to leave their wealth and estates to their millennial children
Making Estate Planning Accessible, Simple, Personal, Secure and FREE!
Bequests are up, cash is down. Empower your donors to plan their will and invest their legacy in the cause they support the most.
Resources
For professional Gift Planners
3 days in the trenches: It’s intense, it’s effective. We’ve been perfecting it for 20 years.
Success List
