You don’t need to wait for a capital or comprehensive campaign to solicit large gifts. If your organization has good leadership, a compelling mission, a track record of operational success, and a loyal group of annual donors, you are ready to start your major gift fundraising effort.

Here Are the Things You Can Do Today to Start the Process:

〉Dedicate Time Each Day for Major Gift Fundraising

〉Set a Minimum Level for a Major Gift

Recommendation is a gift or pledge of $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000 payable within 5 years.

〉Finalize Naming Opportunities in the Following Categories

– Restricted giving for new and renovated capital projects.
– Unrestricted giving for existing and unnamed facilities and spaces (indoor and outdoor).
– Endowments for scholarship assistance, maintenance, and programs. Make sure accounting processes are in place for managing, investing, and reporting.

〉Craft Your Case for Support

Make it compelling to connect with the prospect’s passions.

〉Develop Major Gift Proposal Templates

〉Develop Pledge Agreement Templates

Consult with an attorney. You will need a pledge agreement for restricted capital gifts, unrestricted gifts, and endowments.

〉Finalize Stewardship and Recognition Plans

〉Create Top 50-100 Prospect List

Base this on giving history (amount and consistency), first-hand knowledge, and wealth screening.

〉Develop a Strategy for Each Prospect on the Top 50-100 List

– Assign the best “solicitation team” for each prospect. – Relationships matter.

〉Start Soliciting

Use role-playing to perfect your solicitation.