MAJOR MOVES

Leadership & Professional Development

Careers in advancement stall for predictable reasons: avoidance, lack of clarity, and institutional complacency. This section focuses on leadership judgment, professional growth, and the skills that separate effective fundraisers from busy ones. Less about motivation, more about responsibility. Written for professionals who take their role seriously.

GIVING magazine, Karen Alonso on Cover, United Way Las Vegas, AFP Chapter President

Giving Magazine

For those who drive change — not watch it. Join the top 1%.

Be Proactive
Leadership & Professional Development
Viken Mikaelian

The Secret to Being More Proactive at Work

In major gifts fundraising, the difference between reactive and proactive work directly impacts revenue and career advancement. This article outlines how fundraisers can strengthen planning, organization, and communication to manage portfolios strategically rather than respond to daily crises. Proactivity builds institutional trust, increases autonomy, and positions development professionals for long-term leadership.

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Fundraising Consultant Pointing to Monitor Surrounded by a Group of Fundraisers
Leadership & Professional Development
Viken Mikaelian

How to Get Started as a Fundraising Consultant

Becoming a fundraising consultant requires more than fundraising expertise. This guide outlines the strategic foundations for launching a successful consulting practice, including pre-launch networking, value-based pricing, diversified income streams, and disciplined marketing. Designed for experienced development professionals, this article reframes consulting as a business model—not just a career shift.

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Selfie photograph of employees working at a nonprofit
Leadership & Professional Development
Viken Mikaelian

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.

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Different Reasons to Donate
Leadership & Professional Development
Viken Mikaelian

What’s Your Donor’s Why?

In major gifts fundraising, understanding why a donor gives is more important than how they give. This article explores how donor motivation drives long-term engagement, informs blended giving strategies, and strengthens retention. By practicing disciplined listening and structured discovery, fundraisers can align gift vehicles with donor purpose and build enduring philanthropic relationships.

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Grants Nonprofit Jobs
Leadership & Professional Development
Viken Mikaelian

How To Get A Job At A Non-Profit: A Guide

Transitioning into the nonprofit sector requires more than passion. This article outlines a strategic approach to securing nonprofit employment, including clarifying motivation, defining target roles, building relevant experience, networking within local ecosystems, and preparing for interviews with institutional awareness. Professionals who combine mission commitment with operational discipline position themselves for long-term leadership success.

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SEO For Nonprofit Organizations
Leadership & Professional Development
Viken Mikaelian

SEO Strategies for Non-Profit Organizations

SEO strengthens nonprofit credibility and digital visibility. For major gifts leaders, understanding core SEO principles — keyword alignment, structured content, technical performance, and authority building — supports donor confidence before engagement begins. This revised article simplifies language and improves flow while maintaining professional rigor. SEO is not a tactic alone; it is strategic infrastructure for fundraising growth.

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Strategy - Hands pointing to gears that work together
Leadership & Professional Development
Joe Garecht

How To Develop a Major Donor Fundraising Strategy

Securing major donors requires a deliberate, multi-step strategy — not luck. Start by setting clear fundraising goals aligned with your nonprofit’s mission and future plans. Then focus on long-term retention, not just acquisition. Cultivate relationships through consistent stewardship, showing donors the impact of their gifts. A strong major donor fundraising strategy is the difference between barely scraping by and planning confidently for the future.

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