The Fundraising Framework Blog

The Nonprofit Professional’s Source for Encouragement and Inspiration

The Surprising Major Donor Question I Always Ask major gifts personal finance Feb 14, 2022

The Surprising Major Donor Question I Always Ask

Since 2010 or so, every time I am part of a major donor appeal, I ask the millionaire (or billionaire) one question…. and it’s not what you think.

I ask every donor I have ever solicited a $25,000+ gift,
“At what point did you...
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Scoping Out a Gift Before Asking advice appeals capital campaigns fundraising how to major gifts Dec 13, 2021
Scoping Out a Gift Before Asking

Years ago, I worked with a financial and fundraising firm in Chicago. I was tasked with training a group of parish leaders in making an ask asks for a diocesan capital campaign. 

The VP of Advancement for the diocese wanted to run the campaign internally to...

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Make Next Year Your Best Fundraising Year Yet ask-to-touchpoint ratio communications fundraising how to major gifts Dec 06, 2021

Prepare to Make Next Year Your Best Fundraising Year Yet

 

1. Prep Your Annual Summary of Giving Receipts

I recommend organizations send two tax receipts per gift. The first tax receipt immediately following the donation, within 48 hours (even if someone gives online and receives...

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Ask Kevin: “What is a breakpoint for a ‘major’ donor?” advice fundraising just ask kevin major gifts Nov 08, 2021

Ask Kevin: “What is a breakpoint for a ‘major’ donor?”

In this series, I answer questions from my audience. To submit a question, email me at: [email protected]. You will get a prompt response, and in some cases, I will also eventually outline a more in-depth...

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Demystifying the Major Gifts Process: Part 3 – Five Ways to Identify Potential Major Donors advice fundraising major gifts more donors Oct 18, 2021

UPDATED OCTOBER 25, 2021

This is part three of a four-part series I am doing on major gift fundraising.

  1. Working with major gift officers or consultants
  2. The foundations of why major donors give and how to talk with them
  3. How to identify major donors for your small to mid-sized nonprofit
  4. How...
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Demystifying the Major Gifts Process: Part 2 – Why Major Donors Give and How to Talk with Them founder's syndrome fundraising major gifts Oct 11, 2021

This is part two of a four-part series I am doing on major gift fundraising.

  1. Working with major gift officers or consultants
  2. The foundations of why major donors give and how to talk with them
  3. How to identify major donors for your small to mid-sized nonprofit
  4. How to do the major gift ask...
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Demystifying the Major Gifts Process: Part 1 – Working with Major Gift Officers or Consultants burnout founder's syndrome fundraising major gifts Oct 04, 2021

One of the number one questions I am asked is about raising major gifts. So, over the next four weeks, I will be delving into the major gift solicitation process.

  1. Working with major gift officers or consultants
  2. The foundations of why major donors give and how to talk with them
  3. How to identify...
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