There has never been a more important time for nonprofits to grow and diversify their fundraising. With the elimination of federal funding for many programs, the retreat of some foundations from many progressive or social justice causes. Its imperative we diversify our fundraising immediately. This seminar is designed with this timing in mind.
Major Gifts isn't just for large institutions, like hospitals and universities. Small and Medium nonprofits can create small Major Giving programs that can grown into major funding sources.
Let me show you how.
For some nonprofits a $5,000 gift is a major gift for others its $50,000. I teach proven methods for starting up a small Major Giving program. It can be done by a Development Director, an Executive Director and even a committed Board Member. If you find your leadership talking about raising Major Gifts, struggling for funding under foundation/institutional grants then explore the world of individual Major Giving. My training is designed for resource constrained organizations. Organizations that may not even have a Development Director.
This Master Class is specifically priced for those organizations who have small budgets for Professional Development. . Each class will have a question and answer session so we can work on specific issues relevant to your organization and its fundraising.
About the Class Format
It will be conducted on Zoom. Scheduled Once a Week and Recorded. If you miss a session you will automatically get a link to a live recording. When you purchase the entire class you will receive four emails, one with the registration codes, calendar tools for each class. You can put them on your calendar with your login codes and be all set. GotoWebinar will automatically send your reminders as well.
Major Gifts isn't just for large institutions, like hospitals and universities. Small and Medium nonprofits can create small Major Giving programs that can grown into major funding sources.
Let me show you how.
For some nonprofits a $5,000 gift is a major gift for others its $50,000. I teach proven methods for starting up a small Major Giving program. It can be done by a Development Director, an Executive Director and even a committed Board Member. If you find your leadership talking about raising Major Gifts, struggling for funding under foundation/institutional grants then explore the world of individual Major Giving. My training is designed for resource constrained organizations. Organizations that may not even have a Development Director.
This Master Class is specifically priced for those organizations who have small budgets for Professional Development. . Each class will have a question and answer session so we can work on specific issues relevant to your organization and its fundraising.
About the Class Format
It will be conducted on Zoom. Scheduled Once a Week and Recorded. If you miss a session you will automatically get a link to a live recording. When you purchase the entire class you will receive four emails, one with the registration codes, calendar tools for each class. You can put them on your calendar with your login codes and be all set. GotoWebinar will automatically send your reminders as well.
Reviews
"Most practical, real-world, useful Development training I have had in my 10 years in this profession! Thank You Armando!"
Evan, Development Director
"My staff are already using the skills they learned! We have appointments with prospects we only talked about before!"
Richard, Vice President of Development
"Ok I was super skeptical. Your love of our profession, passion, and sense of humor are appreciated! I learned so much, thanks!"
Marion, Major Gifts Officer
" I am embarrassed to admit my boss wanted me to do this course!, I was hesitant. After the first class, I realized this was highly practical training. I have been to fundraising training where they talk about big trends and theories. Nothing I could use in my job, to save my org right now! Since having this training, 7 months ago, this works. I am now raising new five-figure gifts from new prospects. Armando is funny and the training wasn't dry and dull"
Pamela, Director of Development
" I can honestly point to this training as to where our Major Gifts program began. Signing up our little team created group buy in and understanding"
Marco, Executive Director
"We took this training last year, three of us, my DoD, Board Chair and I. He removes all the confusing terms and speaks in plain language that anyone can understand. We had an MG program but we realized it was under-supported. Since this training, now it was April of last year, we have raised 60% more than last year. Cannot recommend it higher.
Terri, Chief Executive Officer
"Most practical, real-world, useful Development training I have had in my 10 years in this profession! Thank You Armando!"
Evan, Development Director
"My staff are already using the skills they learned! We have appointments with prospects we only talked about before!"
Richard, Vice President of Development
"Ok I was super skeptical. Your love of our profession, passion, and sense of humor are appreciated! I learned so much, thanks!"
Marion, Major Gifts Officer
" I am embarrassed to admit my boss wanted me to do this course!, I was hesitant. After the first class, I realized this was highly practical training. I have been to fundraising training where they talk about big trends and theories. Nothing I could use in my job, to save my org right now! Since having this training, 7 months ago, this works. I am now raising new five-figure gifts from new prospects. Armando is funny and the training wasn't dry and dull"
Pamela, Director of Development
" I can honestly point to this training as to where our Major Gifts program began. Signing up our little team created group buy in and understanding"
Marco, Executive Director
"We took this training last year, three of us, my DoD, Board Chair and I. He removes all the confusing terms and speaks in plain language that anyone can understand. We had an MG program but we realized it was under-supported. Since this training, now it was April of last year, we have raised 60% more than last year. Cannot recommend it higher.
Terri, Chief Executive Officer
Class Schedule and Curriculum
Class One - May 1st 2026, 9:00am - 10:30am Pacific Time
Intro to Major Gifts Prospecting/ Being Ready for Major Gifts Fundraising:
Class Two - May 8th 2026, 9:00am- 10:30am Pacific Time
Engaging Your Prospects
Class Three - May 13th, 2026, 9:00-10:30am Pacific Time
Creating Innovative Cultivation
Class Four- May 18th 2026, 9:00- 10:30am Pacific Time
Solicitation, Stewardship and a Major Gifts Plan
Intro to Major Gifts Prospecting/ Being Ready for Major Gifts Fundraising:
- How is Major Giving different than other fundraising
- Staffing this work
- Obtaining Prospect Research/ Guerrilla Prospect Research
- Board Education and Preparation
- The organization/institution itself, the program
- Diversity and Major Giving
Class Two - May 8th 2026, 9:00am- 10:30am Pacific Time
Engaging Your Prospects
- Cold Calling/Obtaining the First Appointment
- Qualification and Discovery Visits
Class Three - May 13th, 2026, 9:00-10:30am Pacific Time
Creating Innovative Cultivation
- Design and Study of market
- Small Events
- Other Methods
Class Four- May 18th 2026, 9:00- 10:30am Pacific Time
Solicitation, Stewardship and a Major Gifts Plan
- Making the Ask
- Creative and Affordable Stewardship
- Creating a understandable Major Gifts Plan you can sell
Register for This Webinar Series Here:
Your Instructor- Armando
Armando Zumaya has been in fundraising for 40 years in a variety of roles that have given him a unique perspective on development offices, prospecting and role of prospect research/management. He is currently the Founder and Executive Director of Somos El Poder, the first Latinx Fundraising Institute.
In 2024 he was named to the Nonprofit Times "Top 50 Power and Influence List" for his leadership in fundraising. In 2025 he was awarded the Maestro Award for Community Service from Latino Leaders Magazine.
He has spent the bulk of his fundraising career as a Major Gift, Leadership Gifts and Annual Fund Officer on two $1+ billion dollar campaigns at Cornell University and the University of California, Berkeley. He began his career in 1985 as a canvasser for SANE/FREEZE in Los Angeles and Ithaca N.Y. where he led door to door canvassers in the field for 5 years. He has served in the Vice President of Development, Director of Major Gifts and Chief Development Officer, Annual Fund and Leadership Gift roles.
He is well known for his work in teaching prospecting, solicitation, cold calling, major gifts techniques and remote constituency fundraising. He has been a tireless advocate for improving the Prospect Researcher/Fundraiser relationship and creating a prospecting culture inside development teams.
He lectures at AFP, The Foundation Center, AFP Chapters, AFP Hemispheric, The Foundation Center, Development Executives Roundtable, APRA, APRA Chapters, CARA, SAWA, MARC, Compass Point, Blackbaud, Forum on Fundraising and Academic Impressions. He has been widely published in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Nonprofit Times, CANDID, Currents, the Institute of Fundraising (UK), Hispanic Wealth Project and more.
He lives in Northern California and is a proud alumnus of the University of California, Riverside and Roosevelt HS in East Los Angeles.
Armando Zumaya has been in fundraising for 40 years in a variety of roles that have given him a unique perspective on development offices, prospecting and role of prospect research/management. He is currently the Founder and Executive Director of Somos El Poder, the first Latinx Fundraising Institute.
In 2024 he was named to the Nonprofit Times "Top 50 Power and Influence List" for his leadership in fundraising. In 2025 he was awarded the Maestro Award for Community Service from Latino Leaders Magazine.
He has spent the bulk of his fundraising career as a Major Gift, Leadership Gifts and Annual Fund Officer on two $1+ billion dollar campaigns at Cornell University and the University of California, Berkeley. He began his career in 1985 as a canvasser for SANE/FREEZE in Los Angeles and Ithaca N.Y. where he led door to door canvassers in the field for 5 years. He has served in the Vice President of Development, Director of Major Gifts and Chief Development Officer, Annual Fund and Leadership Gift roles.
He is well known for his work in teaching prospecting, solicitation, cold calling, major gifts techniques and remote constituency fundraising. He has been a tireless advocate for improving the Prospect Researcher/Fundraiser relationship and creating a prospecting culture inside development teams.
He lectures at AFP, The Foundation Center, AFP Chapters, AFP Hemispheric, The Foundation Center, Development Executives Roundtable, APRA, APRA Chapters, CARA, SAWA, MARC, Compass Point, Blackbaud, Forum on Fundraising and Academic Impressions. He has been widely published in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Nonprofit Times, CANDID, Currents, the Institute of Fundraising (UK), Hispanic Wealth Project and more.
He lives in Northern California and is a proud alumnus of the University of California, Riverside and Roosevelt HS in East Los Angeles.
