Starting a Major Gifts Program for Small and Medium-Sized Nonprofits

What are the Key Factors to ask yourself in Growing a Major Giving Program:

• Can you communicate your work and mission in a compelling way?
• Through Prospect Research can you identify philanthropic people who might care deeply about your work?
• Do you have someone who can pick up the phone and engage those “prospects” in an initial meeting? (With training)
• How do we cultivate our prospects that will bring closer to giving?
• Who (with training) can make an initial ask?
• How do we steward and care for these people after they make their gift?

​I can help you in each of these steps!

For Existing Major Gifts Programs

I am an expert in the healthy growth and support of Major Giving programs of all sizes. If you hire me to support your existing Major Giving programs I can also provide a range of services including:

• Training and Support for staff in all areas of Major Gifts.
  • ​Cold Calling Training
  • Qualification Training
  • Small Events Training
• Analysis of your Major Gifts program identification, cultivation methods.
• Design of advanced cultivation methods.
• Pipeline Analysis
  
• ​Tech/Systems Analysis
  
• Prospect Research Support
• Long Term Staff Coaching
• Other supports your team might need

  
Are Major Gifts for big rich organizations only?
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No, I believe if any organization wants to make the right investments and take the time, they can create a consistent, powerful, sustainable revenue stream.

I have seen a small group of supportive Major Donors in a small nonprofit transform that organizations work and impact.
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Too many nonprofits are limited by foundation or government funds. Their restrictions and their potential future loss. A group of major donors can, with the right work be maintained for many years, even into Planned Giving. 

If you have a great program, great results, a track record there is no reason with the proper investment you can build a Major Giving Program. A “Major Gift” varies depending on your institution, it maybe $1,000 or $25,000. Think of this work as creating a “starter” Major Giving program. One that will bring in the funds to justify a larger investment in Development.

My Consulting will help your Major Gifts program grow in every step of the way mentioned here. Of course, this list will vary by organization. Some organizations have active Development programs and others do not. If you have a Development Officer or not, I can help you start a program working solely with your Executive Director if necessary.
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Let’s talk about your organizations, it’s needs, resources and how we might work together!

Please use the form below to contact me!
 
Testimonials

“Armando helped us start from scratch and build our Major Giving program and pipeline and directly helped us raise our first $100,000 gift!”
Nina Meehan, Executive Director, Bay Area Children’s Theater

“Armando is a development and fundraising guru, with years of experience prospecting and appealing to high net worth donors. As I've transitioned into a development capacity, Armando has been a helpful resource and an invaluable guide.”

Paige Buck, Director of Events, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

Articles on this Subject I Have Written

“ Are Major Gifts For Universities Only? “
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/armando-zumaya-057b867/detail/recent-activity/posts/

“ From Chicken soup to Gumbo: Transitioning from Government/Foundation Based Fundraising to a Diverse Fundraising Base”
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-chicken-soup-gumbo-transitioning-based-funding-diverse-zumaya/

“The Non-Profit Achievement Gap: Seven Ways Small and Medium Non-Profits Stunt Their Own Fundraising”
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140721214235-23815363-the-non-profit-achievement-gap-seven-ways-small-and-medium-non-profits-stunt-their-own-fundraising/
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