Major Gifts for Nonprofit Organizations

In 2023 Americans gave $557.16 billion to nonprofit organizations, a gain of 1.9% over the prior year. Contributions from individuals totaled $374.40 billion or 67% of all giving. Bequests that were made by individuals amounted to $42.68 billion or 8% of what was reported. Together, individual donations and bequests reached $417.08 billion or 75% of all philanthropy, far outpacing foundation and corporate commitments. The culture of individual philanthropy has always been deeply ingrained in all of America's citizens, regardless of their diverse backgrounds. The vibrancy of our nonprofit sector continues to rest on the generosity of individual donors.
 
Major Gifts for Nonprofit Organizations explores how organizations can realize their major gift fundraising potential, both to meet current needs and realize aspirational goals. We will ask how prospective and current donors can be motivated to make major gifts, especially to your organization? We will look at how major gift fundraising has been impacted by the pandemic and where new technologies, like AI and ChatGPT, fit into major gift fundraising.
 
We will also focus on foundational elements: organizational readiness for major gift fundraising, understanding the donor life cycle (prospect identification and qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship), increasing Board engagement, making the case for support, understanding the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in major gift fundraising, research analytics and Moves Management, and operations (program management, acknowledgement processes and gift acceptance policies). While mindful of individual and organization confidentiality, participants will be encouraged to share their experiences, offer suggestions, and seek feedback from classmates and the instructor in a welcoming and supportive environment.
 
COURSE TOPICS
 

• Introduction to Major Gifts Fundraising, Including Organizational Readiness
• The Donor Life Cycle
• The Role of Boards and Board Development, including diversity, equity and inclusion on Boards and among volunteers, donors, and advancement staff
• Research, Analytics, and Moves Management
• Making the Ask Foundation and Corporate Fundraising

 
This course is eligible towards the completion of the Certificate in Fundraising . Bundle your coursework and earn a professional credential that communicates knowledge and skills gained. Declared Certificate students receive 10% off of courses within the program.
 
Note: Full participation in Major Gifts for Nonprofit Organizations is applicable for 15 points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

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