Project · Fundraising & Development

Major gifts program for nonprofits

Part of our fundraising & development support. Work on it with a coach, practitioner or cohort — and keep the result.

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No credit card required · you own & control your data

You’ll walk away with

Qualified list of 10–15 prospects
Plans for 3–5 prospects
Practiced asks
Major Gifts Playbook

Typical length: 2, 3 or 6 months, matching the Attract Major Gifts cohort
Who’s involved: executive director (ED) and development lead, with board members joining some asks; about 5–8 hours a month

Overview

What is a major gifts program project?

A major gifts program is a steady way to find your largest potential donors, build relationships with them and ask. When it’s done, you have a qualified list of 10–15 prospects, written plans for 3–5 of them, and asks your team has practiced out loud.

Steps

How does a major gifts program project usually run?

01
Check readiness
Look at board support, staffing, your donor database and your case for support.
02
Find prospects
Review giving history and personal connections to build a short, qualified list.
03
Plan each relationship
Map the next three or four steps for each top prospect.
04
Practice, then ask
Rehearse asks with your coach and peers, then make them.

Signs you need this

When does a nonprofit need a major gifts program project?

The most common sign a nonprofit needs a major gifts program project is “You’ve never made a major-gift ask.” — here are the others to look for.

You’ve never made a major-gift ask.
Large donors give the same amount every year.
No one owns donor relationships.

Delivery

How does Resilia deliver a major gifts program project?

Cohort: Attract Major Gifts, a 2, 3 or 6-month cohort with live coaching that offers up to 12 CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) continuing education points.

A cohort seat is $2,000–$6,000 per organization (1–3 people), including platform access during the cohort — or free to you if your funder sponsors it.

Example

What does a finished major gifts program look like?

For example, a $750K environmental nonprofit might sort 1,200 donor records down to 12 qualified prospects. It could finish with written plans for four of them, each with a site visit and a specific ask amount.

Pitfalls

What are common mistakes to avoid?

Asking too soon, before the donor knows what their gift would do.
Spreading attention across 50 names instead of focusing on a few.
Keeping relationship notes in one person’s head instead of the database.

Are we ready for major gifts?

The first module of Attract Major Gifts assesses readiness: board support, staffing, a donor database and a case for support.

How long does a major gifts program project take?

Typically 2, 3 or 6 months, matching the Attract Major Gifts cohort. ED and development lead, with board members joining some asks; about 5–8 hours a month.

How much does a major gifts program project cost?

A cohort seat is $2,000–$6,000 per organization (1–3 people), including platform access during the cohort — or free to you if your funder sponsors it.

Who does the work on a major gifts program project?

Through Attract Major Gifts, a 2, 3 or 6-month cohort with live coaching (up to 12 CFRE points).

Can we start a major gifts program project for free?

Yes. Start self-service for free in your workspace, then add a coach, practitioner or cohort when you’re ready — or ask your funder to sponsor it.

Can our funder pay for this?

Often, yes. Here’s how to ask.