Major Gifts Fundraising for Small Nonprofits: Tips & Strategies
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Wondering how to secure more major gifts for your nonprofit? Join us as we dive into the art of major gift fundraising with Rhea Wong, former Executive Director and current fundraising expert.
In this episode, Rhea shares practical tips for identifying major donors, building lasting relationships, and transforming your fundraising strategy. From common pitfalls to actionable steps, this conversation will empower small nonprofits to secure transformative gifts and foster genuine donor connections.
Major Gifts Fundraising for Small Nonprofits: Tips & Strategies from Rhea Wong
Major Gifts Fundraising for Small Nonprofits – The Highlights:
Why relationship-building is at the heart of major gifts fundraising.
How to approach major donors with consent and authenticity.
Overcoming the pitfalls of wealth screening and transactional fundraising.
Steps to segment your donor list and identify major gift prospects.
Why centering the donor creates better fundraising outcomes.
The evolving role of AI and technology in fundraising.
How to inspire action and build trust with major donors.
The importance of trust-based philanthropy and community-centric fundraising.
Strategies for creating a donor-centric fundraising journey.
🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor retention, productivity & tools, and donor engagement strategies that work! We're here to eliminate nonprofit burnout and boost your donations!
About Rhea Wong:
Rhea trains nonprofit leaders to fundraise more money from high-net worth donors. She helps executive directors and development staff build out individual major gift programs that hit big fundraising goals. She brings in 15+ years of fundraising experience to help you tweak your message, clarify your ideal donor, engage your board, streamline your processes, and make an effective ask.
Quotable Moments from Major Gifts Fundraising for Small Nonprofits with Rhea Wong:
"Fundraising is not about closing gifts; it's about opening relationships." - Rhea Wong
"You need to ask for consent before you consider someone a prospect. Just because you have their contact information doesn’t mean they’re ready to give." - Rhea Wong
Actionable Tips for Fundraisers:
Ask for consent: Before considering someone as a major gift prospect, ensure you have their consent to engage in deeper conversations. Use surveys and personal interactions to learn about their interests and how they’d like to be involved.
Treat donors as partners: Build relationships based on trust and transparency. Engage donors as equal partners in your mission, focusing on long-term relationships rather than one-time transactions.
Have tough conversations: Don’t shy away from discussing difficult topics like systemic issues or organizational challenges. Addressing these openly can deepen donor trust and lead to stronger partnerships.
Start with strong annual giving: Before jumping into major gift fundraising, ensure your annual donor program is solid. This will give you a foundation of consistent support and help identify engaged donors who could become major prospects.
Be intentional and proactive: Approach donor relationships with a clear plan. Define what an ideal major gift partnership looks like for your organization and communicate that vision early in conversations with donors.
Resources and Links:
Rhea Wong’s Website
Rhea Wong’s Ways To Work with Me Quiz
Connect with Maria Rio
Connect with Rhea Wong
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