{"id":36233,"date":"2025-07-24T08:12:54","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T12:12:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.donorperfect.com\/nonprofit-technology-blog\/?p=36233"},"modified":"2025-07-28T13:04:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T17:04:17","slug":"8-major-gift-fundraising-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.donorperfect.com\/nonprofit-technology-blog\/featured\/8-major-gift-fundraising-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Major Gift Fundraising Best Practices to Engage and Retain Major Donors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Major gift fundraising plays a pivotal role in helping nonprofits increase their impact and secure long-term revenue. From multi-year funding to transformative investments, major donors provide the financial stability and flexibility needed for mission growth.<\/p>\n

While every nonprofit\u2019s approach may differ, some best practices consistently deliver results. This blog outlines essential strategies that high-performing nonprofits use to identify, engage, and retain major donors.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore eight essential major gift fundraising best practices, organized into three primary categories:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Prepare to fundraise<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Engage donors with intention<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Maximize growth with data<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    <\/header>\n

    The benefits of major gift fundraising<\/h2>\n

    Major gift fundraising focuses on securing large contributions from a relatively small group of committed donors who often generate the majority of your organization\u2019s fundraising revenue. These high-impact gifts typically support strategic priorities like capital projects, new programs, or multi-year initiatives.<\/p>\n

    Unlike broad-based appeals, major gift fundraising is relationship-driven. It requires research, personalized outreach, and sustained stewardship to build long-term partnerships that fuel growth and sustainability.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOne major gift can be the difference between a nonprofit meeting its goal and that same organization coming up short. Successful nonprofits understand this fact and know the significance of running a top-tier program.\u201d <\/em>\u2014 DonorSearch Major Gift Officer Survival Guide\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/header>\n

    Common misconceptions about major gift fundraising<\/h3>\n

    Major gift fundraising can feel intimidating, but it\u2019s more approachable than many people realize. Let\u2019s clear up a few common myths:<\/p>\n

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    1. \u201cWe\u2019re too small an organization to raise major gifts.\u201d<\/strong>
      Even grassroots organizations can identify high-capacity supporters who care deeply about their mission. A major gift fundraising program can grow over time!<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. \u201cIf someone wants to make a large donation, they\u2019ll come to us.\u201d<\/strong>
        <\/strong>Major donors almost always need to be cultivated. Relationship-building is key to securing larger gifts.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. \u201cWe don\u2019t have the staff to add a major gift program.\u201d<\/strong>
          <\/strong>Even without a dedicated staff member, you can start by assigning internal ownership and gradually building your program with tools that simplify outreach and tracking.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Now that we\u2019ve covered the fundamentals, let\u2019s explore the 8 essential best practices that can help you build or grow your major gift fundraising program.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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          <\/header>\n

          Prepare to fundraise<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          <\/header>\n

          1. Perform major gift prospect screening<\/h3>\n

          Major gift fundraising starts with knowing your audience\u2014and that means identifying your most promising prospects.<\/p>\n

          Prospect screening<\/a> helps you uncover donors with both the capacity and inclination to give at a high level. By analyzing data like giving history, philanthropic activity, business affiliations, real estate holdings, political contributions, and more, you can zero in on those most likely to invest significantly in your mission.<\/p>\n

          This is especially critical now, as donor acquisition costs rise and competition for attention intensifies. Incorporating data-driven<\/a> prospecting into your nonprofit development plan ensures your team spends time cultivating relationships with the right individuals\u2014those who not only qualify as major donors but also show signs of readiness to give. Screenings can reveal valuable engagement signals like past donations, event attendance, and volunteer involvement, helping you prioritize outreach to supporters who are most likely to say yes.<\/p>\n

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          Pro tip<\/strong>: Conduct prospect screenings throughout the year to keep your portfolios current and aligned with your major donor goals.<\/p>\n

          For example, you can identify top major donor prospects instantly through wealth screening<\/a> and predictive analytics<\/a> using the DonorPerfect integration with DonorSearch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \"Donor-Search<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
          <\/header>\n

          2. Hire a major gift officer to lead your program<\/h3>\n

          A dedicated staff member, such as a major gifts officer, can help you take your fundraising to the next level, but it\u2019s also possible to build momentum by appointing an internal lead and providing training.<\/p>\n

          Even if your team is small, someone needs clear ownership of the major gifts pipeline\u2014from identification and cultivation to solicitation and stewardship.<\/p>\n

          When hiring a fundraiser, prioritize:<\/p>\n