Advice from Major Gift Donors Who Are Also Fundraising Volunteers (part 2 of a series)

Advice from Major Gift Donors Who Are Also Fundraising Volunteers (part 2 of a series)

by Tom Wilson Major Gifts Guru

I recently served as one of the faculty for PLAN MGO, an immersion training program for major gifts officers. The second day of our classes featured two New England donors who both have extensive experience as volunteer fundraisers. I captured some of their comments:

Steve

“Realize you major gift officers are in the relationship business.

“Be known as a great listener.

“I see a trend where really large organizations are getting more professionals to do the fundraising. That’s okay, but it’s driving folks like me to smaller organizations where I can still make a difference. I’m not so valuable any more at the big organizations. Our family will still give to them even if they are following what I call the university model of fundraising. I want a total relationship with organizations we give to. I want a place where I can play a transformational role. Right now that’s with a local women’s shelter. I like this place because we’re changing lives.

“Here are 10 best practices for nonprofits and fundraising

1) “I like organizations that are fast, flexible, and entrepreneurial.

2) “I like to envision a 'career' path as a volunteer leader for me and for others. I challenge people to be a leader right now, even if they are young. We need more than $, we need great people.

3) “I want a respectful partnership with the professionals and the volunteers at the organization. The leaders need to articulate this respect.

4) “The underserved inspire my giving

5) “Stewardship is important. Thank us over time. I treat my fellow donors as investors. I want them to get an investor’s report from the nonprofit.

6) “A good solicitor understands needs and believes in the cause. You must have an emotional attachment to the organization. I want to learn something as I do my volunteer work.

7) “I expect the nonprofit CEO to be inspirational. Get me involved in your vision for the future. You can make changes as the plan unfolds, but show me a path.

8) “I want to see a maximum amount of contributed dollars going to services not to management and fundraising.

9) “Do your homework. Do the research to make me comfortable in asking a donor for a gift. And be patient with my process. I want to build a relationship before the ask so it may take a couple of meetings before I make the ask.

10) “Use my time effectively and wisely.”

He also added one additional comment – “make fundraising fun. People want to have an enjoyable time with good people.”

“My three building blocks of life are: 1) family, 2) friends, and 3) community.”

This article is part of a series. To read the rest of the series, please click the links below:

• Advice from Major Gift Donors Who Are Also Fundraising Volunteers (part 1 of a series)
• Advice from Major Gift Donors Who Are Also Fundraising Volunteers (part 3 of a series)

Permanent Link: Advice from Major Gift Donors Who Are Also Fundraising Volunteers (part 2 of a series)

http://majorgiftsguru.com/2009/11/advice-from-major-gift-donors-who-are_12.html