Chapter 6: Major Gifts
This lesson provides the foundational knowledge for building a major gifts program. The next step is to put this knowledge into practice by identifying and beginning to cultivate your first prospects.
Task: Your task is to create a simple plan to begin your major gifts program.
For Beginners (Sapling Stage): Review your donor data and identify 3-5 individuals who have a strong connection to your organization and may have the capacity to make a major gift. Create a simple profile for each person, noting their relationship to your organization, their giving history, and what you know about their personal interests.
For Emerging Organizations (Branching Out Stage): Choose one of your major gift prospects and create a simple "moves management" plan. Identify 3-4 specific steps you will take to cultivate the relationship over the next three months. This could include a phone call, an invitation to a small event, or a personal meeting.
Resource: To assist you, we've prepared a comprehensive guide: "Building Your Major Gifts Program." This resource includes a downloadable prospect research profile template and a step-by-step guide on creating a simple moves management plan.