Insights & Strategy
The Major Gift Playbook
Practical, battle-tested major gift strategy written by Mary Petersen from 25 years in the field.
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Showing 8 articles
Your Donor Is Not Made of Glass: How to Stop Letting Fear Decide Your Asks
Fundraisers decide for donors in conversations that only happened in their heads. Stop making the donor's decision, and start making honest, specific invitations.
Your Board's Real Job in Major Gifts: What to Ask Board Members to Do and Say
"Get the board involved in fundraising" isn't a plan. Give board members clear, comfortable roles at every stage of a major gift relationship, with word-for-word language they can use.
The Major Gift Proposal Template That Gets a YES (And How to Use It)
A strong major gift proposal is more than a polished document: it connects what your donor cares about to a clear opportunity and a specific invitation. Use this practical, field-by-field template to prepare a proposal you can discuss with confidence.
Fundraiser Scripts: What to Say Before, During, and After the Ask
Word-for-word fundraiser scripts for your next major gift ask, so you know exactly what to say before, during, and after the ask, whatever the donor's answer.
The Difference Between Cultivation Activity and Meaningful Donor Progress in Moves Management
Moves management is often described as a process of moving donors from one stage of engagement toward a deeper relationship. But there is a critical distinction between being busy with cultivation and actually making progress.
Major Gift Moves Management for Nonprofits With Limited CRM Data and Small Development Teams
Major gift fundraising is often associated with sophisticated CRMs and large teams. Here is how small development shops can build an effective, disciplined moves management system with simple tools.
Building a Major Gift Pipeline From Your Existing Donor Base
Many nonprofits assume growing a major gift program requires constantly finding new wealthy prospects. The best place to find your next $25K donor is right in your current database.
The Major Donor Readiness Gap: How Nonprofits Can Identify What Must Be Fixed Before Asking for Large Gifts
Major gifts can transform a nonprofit. However, many organizations pursue major donors before building the internal foundation required to manage and steward transformational gifts.
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