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Making first connections with major gift prospects

October 24, 2023 by Dianna Smiley in Understanding Donors, Capital Campaign, Strategy, Board Members

Major gifts fundraising is well worth the investment of time. But if you are new to it and need to approach prospects, how can you adjust your attitude and expectations to become successful?

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October 24, 2023 /Dianna Smiley
#Major Gifts, #Major donors, Donor identification
Understanding Donors, Capital Campaign, Strategy, Board Members

What motivates donors to give?

March 06, 2023 by Dianna Smiley in Capital Campaign, Understanding Donors, Planned Giving

When it comes to successful fundraising, donor motivation is at the heart of the matter.

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March 06, 2023 /Dianna Smiley
#Donor Relations, #Major Gifts, #Capital Campaigns, #Donor Meetings, #Nonprofits, #fundraising
Capital Campaign, Understanding Donors, Planned Giving

Keeping Your Own Spirits Up as a Fund Raiser

September 24, 2022 by Dianna Smiley in Staff Leadership, Capital Campaign, Board Members

The past 2-3 years in the pandemic (seems longer, doesn't it?) have affected many of us to be more discouraged and in some cases, even depressed. And there are good reasons for that. Here are some thoughts about how to monitor and improve your own emotional state, knowing that it affects your work as a fund raiser - either vounteer or professional.

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September 24, 2022 /Dianna Smiley
#Major Gifts, #Donor Relations, #Nonprofits, #Volunteer Leaders, #Board Members
Staff Leadership, Capital Campaign, Board Members

Raising Major Gifts with "Major Purpose"

May 05, 2022 by Dianna Smiley in Understanding Donors, Strategy, Staff Leadership, Capital Campaign, Board Members

Maybe the reason your group doesn't get major gifts is that your donors don't see that they are needed. This article helps you think about how you can develop transformative and mission-centric giving initiatives that your donors will be excited about funding.

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May 05, 2022 /Dianna Smiley
#Major Gifts, #Donor Relations, #Board Members
Understanding Donors, Strategy, Staff Leadership, Capital Campaign, Board Members

When the donor preempts your ask

December 20, 2021 by Dianna Smiley in Capital Campaign, Board Members, Staff Leadership, Understanding Donors

You start the meeting and your donor immediately says they are making a gift much lower than you know they can give. How you respond can make the difference between receiving a gift that's 90% below your plan and a gift that either meets your plan or gets much closer.

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December 20, 2021 /Dianna Smiley
#Asking, #Major Gifts, #Donor Relations, #Capital Campaigns, #Donor Meetings, #Volunteer Leaders, #Board Members, #Nonprofits
Capital Campaign, Board Members, Staff Leadership, Understanding Donors

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