Hi John,
Hope your new year is getting off to a happy, positive start. I’d like to help you see lots of major gifts flowing into your organization this year. That would make you happy, I know!
Here’s the first of a series of emails that we’ll be sending you – all devoted to helping you and your team create a full-scale, robust major gifts program at your nonprofit.
One reason we’re sending out all this advice is to encourage you and your team to consider joining our Major Gift Roadmap 2020 coaching program. We can help you develop the systems, mindset, vision, structure and processes for a long-term productive major gift program that will deliver measurable results for years. Find out more here.
From Transactional to Transformational Gifts
If you are wondering why your wonderful $1,000 a year donor just made a $100,000 gift to another organization, stop for a minute and think about your approach and your mindset.
Did you have conversations with your donor about your organization's vision - where your organization hopes to be next year or in five years?
Did you talk about how that vision will change the lives of those you serve? We’re wondering - did you ask your donor what their impressions are of your organization's work?
And, did you ask for their advice/feedback on the vision? In your approach to conversations with your donor were you patient, calm, respectful, listening? Did you follow up?
This way of approach is about transformational giving.
Donors want to give away their money. Their largest gifts align deeply with their values and how they see THEIR role in bringing about good for something they strongly care for.
In other words, a donor's largest gifts go where they feel they are making a transformational difference to some outcome. That could be an endowed scholarship; a new program; an enhanced program; a research fund and much more.
To raise major gifts better known as transformational gifts, you have to have a transformational mindset.
You must understand what motivates your donor - what they value. That understanding only comes from the conversations you have with your donor about the donor! It requires a donor-focused approach.
Bottom Line: The difference between transformational gifts and transactional gifts.
Are you all about the Gift? Or are you about the Donor?
Are you focusing on the money . . . or the person behind the money?
Is it the transaction you want? Or the donor’s allegiance, care and partnership?
Think again. Change your focus. Devote yourself to your donor as a whole person. Then they will do anything they can for you and your organization.
Stay tuned for more emails this week on these topics:
- What You Can Expect from a Full-Scale Major Gifts Program
- What Board Members and CEO's Need to Know About Major Gift Strategy
- What's the Return on Investment of a Robust Major Gift Program?
Here's to many more generous major donors for your organization,
Gail and Kathryn
Free Webinar: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Profitable Major Gift Program
January 15, 2pm ET; It WILL be recorded!
Learn how to create extraordinary fundraising growth through major gifts. Find out more at https://www.gailperry.com/ultimate-guide-to-building-a-profitable-major-gift-program/
Survey: What's keeping you and your team away from bringing in more major gifts?
Answer this quick survey: last chance to share what you think. Hundreds of fundraisers have shared their thoughts - join the conversation!
What are your major gifts challenges for 2020?
MAJOR GIFTS ROADMAP is filling up for 2020.
If you and your team need training AND implementation support to ramp up major gifts for your organization, think about joining our 10-month program. We are seeing more interest than ever before, so we’ll fill up early.
Check it out here and let us know if you are interested.
Gail
