Major Gifts: All glitz and glamor?

Have you noticed that many people think major gifts are all glitz and glamor?

Let me tell you how I got my REAL start in fundraising:

One of my earliest jobs after university was working at the outbound call center at a national arts organization.

We did everything from making fundraising calls to selling annual subscriptions…

And it was one of THE most important experiences I’ve had in my 25 year fundraising career.

Here are three crucial skills I developed in that first fundraising job that I still use to this day:

1. Picking up the phone before I felt ready

There was no prospect research, no wealth screening - just me, my communication skills, and the person at the other end of the phone. 

2. Making an irresistible offer

One thing we didn’t have a lot of is time. This trained me to understand how to make a compelling case - and do it concisely.

3. Handling rejection

Hearing “no” is inevitable in our line of work - but it still stings! Learning how to bounce back from rejection is an invaluable skill (for work and life).

Today’s competitive hiring market means that you likely have team members with tons of potential, and transferable skills like these - but less hands-on major gift experience.

And you know with major donors, the stakes are too high to leave it to chance…

That’s why I help your fundraising team build the skills, strategies and systems you need to raise more major gifts for your medium or large nonprofit.

If you want to break through to the next level in your major gift fundraising, let’s talk! Book a call to see if I can help.

Did you have an early work experience that built the foundation you needed to get to where you are today?

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