Among nonprofits of all sizes, major gifts are a critical part of institutional stability. They strengthen programs, help build endowment, and signal to the community that the organization is capable of attracting significant gifts. They signal stability, and attract other major donors. Identifying potential donors, developing strategies, building major gifts into both annual and capital campaigns, cultivating and soliciting major gifts and providing stewardship to major donors are all key functions of successful organizations, regardless of size or mission. A $1000 gift to a homeless shelter is a major gift, as is a $100,000 gift to a major university. The common denominator: impact. Gifts qualify as “major” when they have a felt impact on the organization and are, relative to the budget, a significant portion of annual program support or a campaign.
Book Details:
- Author: Kay Sprinkel Grace
- ISBN: 9780470312209
- Year Published: 2000
- Pages: 208
- BISAC: BUS074000, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS/Nonprofit Organizations & Charities
About the Book and Topic:
Among nonprofits of all sizes, major gifts are a critical part of institutional stability. They strengthen programs, help build endowment, and signal to the community that the organization is capable of attracting significant gifts. They signal stability, and attract other major donors. Identifying potential donors, developing strategies, building major gifts into both annual and capital campaigns, cultivating and soliciting major gifts and providing stewardship to major donors are all key functions of successful organizations, regardless of size or mission. A $1000 gift to a homeless shelter is a major gift, as is a $100,000 gift to a major university. The common denominator: impact. Gifts qualify as “major” when they have a felt impact on the organization and are, relative to the budget, a significant portion of annual program support or a campaign.
Major gifts can take delicate handlingdonors have many different reasons for giving such large gifts, and must be handled with tact and intelligence. Negotiating for major gifts has been complicated by the increase in the number of younger major givers, who have a different attitude toward money (many are stock-market millionaires) and nonprofits. The book will answer the key questions development directors have regarding major gift solicitation: Who are the new major donors and what they are looking for? How do I analyze donor motivation? How do I engaging effective solicitors among board members and other volunteers? How can I position a major gifts as both a program and a result in my organization? With these answers, fund raisers, managers, and board members can be more effective and help their organization achieve its mission. This book will approach major gifts with the following principles as a template: Organizations of all sizes can attract major donors and receive gifts that have an impact; the approaches to successful major gifts embody principles that apply to major gifts of all sizes and to institutions of all types; and a solid institutional plan and a compelling mission are the foundation for major gift fund raising. The first section of the book covers key concepts: Introduction to major gifts, why people give, and developing the organization that inspires giving. The second section covers the solicitation process: coming up with the case for giving; stewardship; developing policies and procedures for gift acceptance and solicitation; determining candidates for giving; Enlisting solicitors; first contact with the donor; persuading the donor solicitation strategies; and completing the gift (include accounting and tax rules). The final section will cover what the organization has to do after the gift is made: why gifts do not happen, and what should be done for the non-giver/non-donee; follow up; major gifts, planned gifts, and capital campaigns.
What do a $1000 gift to a homeless shelter and a $100, 000 gift to a major university have in common? Impact. Gifts are considered “major” when they have a significant impact on the receiving organization, no matter what the size. Such “high impact” gifts are key to nonprofit institutional survival. They not only fund programming but signal stability and attract other major donors. This book offers targeted guidance to nonprofit managers and staff in identifying potential donors, developing strategies, responding to donors’ needs, building major gifts into annual and capital campaigns, providing stewardship to major donors, and more. * Helps nonprofits navigate with the new types of donors in the new economy. * Presents a simple, practical, easy-to-follow process. * Filled with lots of real-world insights, planning tips, common misperceptions, pitfalls to avoid, warning flags, and other useful pointers. * Written specifically for non-profits of all shapes and sizes.
About the Author
Kay Sprinkel Grace, CFRE, is an internationally acclaimed independent consultant, speaker, facilitator, and writer. She has also been a core faculty member of the Fund Raising School since 1980. After successful careers in journalism and education, she became a development professional in 1979, working in several organizations before starting her own consulting firm in 1987. Since then, she has worked as trainer or consultant with thousands of nonprofit volunteers and professionals in the areas of board and staff leadership, planning, and capital and annual fundraising. Her over 40 years as a volunteer, principally for Stanford University where she received her BA and MA degrees and where she has been honored for her fundraising leadership, add perspective to this book. She is the author of Beyond Fund-Raising and the coauthor of High-Impact Philanthropy. Alan L. Wendroff, CFRE, is a nationally recognized consultant, speaker, and writer for nonprofit organizations. He has worked as a senior development professional with a national human relations agency. He writes and teaches online and classroom courses for the continuing education Nonprofit Management Program at California State University, Hayward. He is the author of the first edition of Special Events: Proven Strategies for Nonprofit Fundraising, and coauthor with Kay Sprinkel Grace, of High Impact Philanthropy: How Donors, Boards, and Nonprofit Organizations Can Transform Communities, both from Wiley.