Let’s face it—keeping board members fully engaged during meetings can be a challenge. These are successful individuals with packed calendars and countless competing priorities. So when they show up, your agenda better be worth their time. Too often, nonprofit board meetings fall into the trap of talking at members rather than engaging them. That’s where…

Discover the book that’s changing how fundraisers close major gifts.Pathways to Philanthropy is a practical, story-driven guide for fundraisers who want to deepen relationships, secure transformational gifts, and grow with confidence. Follow the journey of Sarah Williams, a new major gift officer navigating the real challenges—and triumphs—of higher education fundraising. Packed with real-life scenarios, proven…

Your best prospects are often your busiest—balancing demanding careers, family responsibilities, and packed schedules. Yet, one of the most effective ways to engage these high-potential individuals is by involving them on advisory or leadership boards. The challenge? Board meetings typically require a significant time commitment and, in many cases, travel. So how do you ensure…

AI tools like ChatGPT are giving major gift fundraisers a whole new way to work smarter and faster. But to truly unlock their potential, you need to understand prompt engineering—the art of crafting strategic prompts that guide AI to deliver high-quality results. At its core, prompt engineering is about giving AI the right instructions. With…

Bringing on a new major gift fundraiser is both exciting and critical for the growth of your organization. But here’s the truth: if they don’t learn to do the job in a way that works best for your organization, they’ll end up being ineffective — and you will have wasted valuable time and resources. One…

One of the biggest challenges for major gift fundraisers is getting “stuck” with a prospect. They’ve made the ask, but the donor isn’t moving forward—or worse, they’re unresponsive. When a gift stalls, it takes creativity and strategy to get it across the finish line. One of the most effective ways to overcome this roadblock is…

When engaging with a major gift prospect, the focus should be on building relationships, not on political affiliations. Yet, politics may occasionally come up in your meetings. Knowing how to navigate these moments with professionalism can make the difference between a successful meeting and a awkward one. Below are strategies to avoid political discussions and…