Building a Powerful Annual Major Gifts Program

Building a Powerful Annual Major Gifts Program

By Tom Wilson Major Gifts Guru

Even though I concentrate on capital campaigns these days, one of the first recommendations I make to my clients is to start going on an annual giving major gifts society of $1,000 or more.

If you have a major giving society for the annual fund, give it a boost. Market the basic level and then keep expanding it by higher levels for those who can give more.

One of my clients referred me to the Washington State University Foundation website. Their story is amazing. 5,838 donors made gifts of $1,000 or more to WSU President’s Associates for nearly $46 million of donations – all part of a record year in 2008 of $143 million of contributions to WSU Foundation.

A $25 million donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation topped off a stellar 2008. Their grant is to help construct a new building for the veterinary medicine program, the School for Global Animal Health (talk about a bold vision).

Brenda Wilson-Hale, VP of University Development and CEO of the WSU Foundation, and her staff are to be congratulated.

So, if you don’t have a $1,000 annual giving club, get started. If you have one, get energized and get it going to a higher level.

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