Over 20 Years of Closing Major Gifts
Forward Fundraisers is led by Adam Platzer, a major gift officer at Rochester Institute of Technology who still sits across from donors every week. He built this practice because too many small teams are getting priced out of good coaching.
Our services are built for development teams of 1–10 who need to close six- and seven-figure gifts without a six-figure consulting budget.
At Forward Fundraisers, we partner with organizations to:
- Build prospect strategies that actually move donors forward
- Prepare and support real solicitations
- Write case statements and proposals donors want to read
- Create accountability and momentum week after week
No fluff. Just practical coaching that leads to closed gifts.
⛊ Client Testimonial
“Working with Forward Fundraisers was a game-changer for our major gifts campaign. Their expert coaching helped us secure a $100K gift and other critical early commitments, while their structured, collaborative approach kept us focused and on track. Unlike other consultants, they provided fair, flexible, and actionable guidance that simplified the process, made major gifts feel achievable, and delivered incredible value.”
Patrick Slevin
Austin Soundwaves Executive Director
Fresh Articles
- Three Questions to Ask Before Every Year-End Appraisal
It’s appraisal season. If you manage fundraisers, you’re probably knee-deep in review forms right now. Here’s what most managers miss: the appraisal isn’t just your chance to give feedback. It’s your best shot all year at getting it. Your gift officers know exactly what’s helping them and what’s slowing them down. Most of them will… Read more: Three Questions to Ask Before Every Year-End Appraisal - Your Major Gift Toolkit (Free), Built for Your NonprofitMost small development teams don’t have a system for raising major gifts – they have a to-do list and good intentions. The Major Gift Toolkit changes that. It’s a step-by-step playbook that walks you through the entire arc of a major gift, from finding the right prospects to getting the signed gift agreement. It covers… Read more: Your Major Gift Toolkit (Free), Built for Your Nonprofit
- I Spent a Year Pushing My Team to Make More Asks. Here’s What the Data Actually Told Me.
This past fiscal year I made a big effort to get my fundraising team to make more asks. More asks means more dollars, I thought. So I pushed it all year, tracked every ask by type, and even ran a monthly recognition for the fundraiser who made the most asks. Now I wanted to know,… Read more: I Spent a Year Pushing My Team to Make More Asks. Here’s What the Data Actually Told Me.
Pathway Generator
Create a Pathway to a Gift that visually tells the donor’s journey and can be shared with colleagues who partnered to help make the gift possible.
Free eBook
Pathways to Philanthropy is a story-driven book for fundraisers who want to deepen relationships, secure transformational gifts, and grow with confidence.
Online Courses
Efficient Major Gifts is a comprehensive, four-part course designed to elevate your team into top-tier fundraisers.