School Advancement Institute Files-Major Gift Fundamentals

Major Gift Fundamentals

Pdf Summary

The 2022 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) focused on major gift fundraising fundamentals, presented by Brent Caburnay, Chief Development Officer at Francis W. Parker School. The presentation highlighted the significance of major gifts within the wider context of the $557.16 billion charitable giving industry in the United States as of 2023, according to Giving USA.<br /><br />The roadmap for building a foundation for major gift success involves key stages: Identification, Qualification, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship. During Identification, institutions gather essential information about potential donors, such as their connection to the school, past giving history, employment background, and philanthropic interests. This stage is critical for understanding donor priorities and mindset.<br /><br />Qualification requires prioritization through gift tables, allowing organizations to focus their efforts effectively. Cultivation, described as a choreographed dance, involves careful listening, engagement of thought partners, and reassessment of the donor's position within the giving structure, emphasizing patience and persistence.<br /><br />Solicitation then becomes the stage where the strongest case for support is made. Essential elements include the setup of the meeting, materials presented, and post-ask steps. The solicitation agenda should cover strategic goals, presentation of materials, and acknowledgment of support.<br /><br />Finally, Stewardship ensures that donors feel appreciated and engaged post-donation. This involves providing program updates, organizing stewardship activities, activating donors as volunteers, and recognition, thereby fulfilling commitments made during solicitation.<br /><br />Overall, the presentation underscores an active, strategic, and relationship-focused approach to securing major gifts, aligning with John Dewey's philosophy that education—and by extension, fundraising—is a constructive process. For further details or questions, attendees were invited to contact Brent Caburnay via email.

Keywords

major gift fundraising

CASE 2022

Brent Caburnay

philanthropy

donor cultivation

stewardship

charitable giving

fundraising strategy

John Dewey

Francis W. Parker School