A gift to your organization may make one of your supporters a major donor to you, while the same gift to their alma mater puts them in the lowest level gift club. There’s not one dollar amount that defines a major gift, even for one organization. But there are rules of thumb.
Read MoreOrganization leaders often realize they need to build a major gifts program. Specifically, they need donors to give occasional special gifts to invest in the organization in ways that no one else can or will invest. They also need donors who believe in the organization’s mission fundamentally, and will give significant gifts to sustain annual operations. But what does it take?
Read MoreIRS data show that charitable bequests of recent years average more than $32,000 in value, which qualifies as a major gift in the view of most nonprofits. The amount of a bequest may be 50 or more times the value of the donor’s annual gift. What a return on investment for the efforts to establish a planned giving program!
Read MoreIf your Board members are giving as much as they can personally, they can feel confident in helping others to give at the level they are able, which may be much higher. It takes work to help your Board members understand the power of their own example and their own story.
Read MoreOne meaning of “building your donor base” is to increase support from your existing donors, or as I like to call it, “loving those who already love you.” How can it be done?
Read MoreJust remember: Asking someone for a gift acknowledges their care for the organization and what it accomplishes for the community. It’s about the donor’s interest in furthering your work.
Read MoreIn reality, for every volunteer who objects to being asked — and I’m not sure they even exist! — there are many volunteers who respond to an ask by thinking, “From my volunteering, I know they use contributed dollars well. I’m happy to give as much as I can, to help them even more.”
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