CATEGORY

Planned Giving Strategies

Practical approaches nonprofits use to encourage legacy gifts and long-term donor commitment. This category examines proven strategies, organizational models, and planning insights that support sustainable charitable giving.

Nurture — people caring with hearts in the air.
Major Gifts
Sarah Pinto

Why Every Fundraiser Needs a Major Donor Society

Asking an influential member of your community for a large gift is often an intimidating task. While effective donor prospecting can eliminate some of the anxieties involved, tools like a major donor society also go a long way to secure a big ask. Major donor societies provide exclusive, insider access to your highest-dollar donors, generating significant revenue by developing intimate relationships with excellent stewardship.

Read More »
Involve engage sign
Major Gifts
Caitlin Fillmore

Engage Major Donors with a Commissioning Club

The textbook definition of a commission is, “a fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting a piece of business or performing a service.” However I prefer to think of a commission, in terms of the nonprofit world, as connecting inspiration with financial and community support. Commissioning clubs provide a uniquely inspirational way to connect major donors intimately with the cause they care about.

Read More »
Culture of Philanthropy
Major Gifts
Caitlin Fillmore

Don’t Build a Major Gifts Program Without a Culture of Philanthropy

A culture of philanthropy ranks as one of the most vital foundations to a successful development department. Nonprofits looking to boost fundraising and build substantial relationships with major donors should first measure the strength of their organization’s culture of philanthropy.

Read More »
Artificial Intelligence Human and AI hands
Major Gifts
Viken Mikaelian

One Place to Never Use AI in Major Gifts Fundraising

Artificial intelligence is today’s most relentless buzzword, as teachers, bosses, online daters, and everyone else learns the advantages and disadvantages of allgorithm-predicted answers in our daily lives. But there is one place in your development department where AI does not belong.

Read More »
Emotional Intelligence
Major Gifts
Barbara Kappel

Emotional Intelligence: The Key Ingredient to Major Gifts Success

I have experienced many rewarding moments among top philanthropic donors and nonprofit leaders. If you are reading this article, you likely fit within one or both of these populations and understand that, as Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Read More »
Tax Law Secure Act 2.0
Estate Planning
Russell Willis III, J.D., LL.M.

Secure Act 2.0: Legacy IRA (Lite)

It has taken nearly twenty years of persistent lobbying by a handful of key players in the nonprofit sector, and in the end they had to accept some steep compromises, but as of January 1st, if you are age 70-1/2 or older, you can make a direct “rollover” from your traditional IRA into a charitable remainder trust or a gift annuity contract.

Read More »
writing a thank you letter
Major Gifts
Joe Garecht

How to Write an Amazing Major Donor Thank You Letter

Great donor stewardship is essential for your non-profit. The stewardship process starts with the thank you letter. If your supporters don’t feel properly thanked, it is highly unlikely that they will continue to give. In this article, we’re going to show you how to write an amazing major donor thank you letter for your non-profit organization.

Read More »
The Major Gift Metrics You Need to Track
Major Gifts
Viken Mikaelian

The Major Gift Metrics You Need to Track

On average, 88% of a nonprofit’s revenue comes from the top 12% of its donors. This shows how crucial major gifts are to an organization’s overall fundraising strategy. Additionally, major donors not only provide nonprofits with sustained financial security but are often co-creators of many programs and initiatives. Learn how to track major gift metrics to succeed with your major donor program.

Read More »
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%.