Major gifts require developing long-term relationships with donors based on shared values and trust. The process involves cultivating donors over time through regular communication and recognition at various giving levels before making an ask for a major gift. Key steps include identifying prospective major donors, learning what inspires their philanthropy, articulating a compelling vision for the organization's future impact, and determining the right time and approach for a solicitation.

1. Major Gifts Get to Give

2. define major gifts: Highly donor centric -;listen and find out how you can help them achieve their passion transformational v. transactional – big donors love big ideas. donation allows org to go to next level and allow donor to be an influencer result of a longer term relationship and based on trust, takes time & has many steps, so must be well coordinated requires personal relationship

3. Before you begin You must be passionate about your organization. You must believe in it. you must be donor focused have a benchmark for the major gift make needed apologies- acknowledge a mistake was made, acknowledge how it made the person feel, commit that it will not happen again & put in systems so it won’t all board members must have donated. find an ally on the board to ensure this and for major gifts, ask board members for specific tangible task (3) testimonials- why give & impact on community – in video

4. path to major donations: first gift annual donation special and increased gift major gift legacy gift tipping point: where donor and org see shared values 75% of your time is spent cultivating the donor

5. stepping stones to major gifts regular newsletters, dependable system for tracking donor data and a personal thank you letter or board member calling w/in 48 hrs build a community of small committed donors, 1 or 2 mailings per year, regular newsletters segment donor list: who gave at what level in one year or over years, identify a number you can treat special- board member to call to invite to an event, invite to blog ,feature on blog, follow on twitter set goal for major gifts program face to face meetings, coordinate campaign of direct asks, - small events, house parties – name the donor community

6. more stepping stones organize annual cycle: special ask events, personal solicitation, house parties Ask for multiple year pledges create a vision for long term financial sustainability and organizational long term presence, articulate the vision, create planned giving circle – create a new category for this start to build an endowment fund and a community of deeply committed people there for the long term future

7. Donor check list Donor must have connection to the org interested in what you do capacity to make a major gift values alignment Do you have the right Prospect- get a name, get an into, get a meeting with the person and contact person and you. Solicitor Amount to ask for Time Purpose

8. Key questions to ask How do you want to make a difference? What is your expression of your values? find shared values What is their vision for the future of the org? show past impacts How do they decide who to give to? How do they want to be solicited? Who needs to be there for a donation?

9. value based Qs What do you value most about or org and the work we do? What kind of impact are you seeking to have for your philanthropy What inspires your giving to us If we were standing here 10 years from now, what would you want to see? What advise would you give us for our future?

10. solicitation process Qs What goes into your philanthropic decisions? What do you look for in an org that is worth of a philanthropic investment? As you think about our work, what programs appeal most to you? Where does our org stand among your philanthropic priorities? We would like to approach you with a exciting gift opportunity in the next 2 months, does that timing work for you? Who should be included in a gift discussion, and in stewardship?