Tag: marketing

3 Steps to Optimizing Small Group Dinners for Major Gift Fundraising

Small group dinners can be a powerful tool in major gift fundraising, offering a unique setting to build relationships, cultivate prospects, and inspire philanthropy. Unlike large events, these intimate gatherings allow for meaningful conversations and deeper engagement. However, to maximize their effectiveness, careful planning and strategic execution are essential. Here’s how to optimize these dinners to drive successful fundraising outcomes.

1. Identify Key Attendees First

Start by selecting the top three prospects you want at the dinner. Instead of simply sending invitations, engage them early by seeking their input on key details:

• Where should we host it?

• What dates work best?

• What topics should we discuss?

By involving them in the planning process, you give them ownership over the event, increasing their commitment and making it far more likely they will attend.

2. Leverage Social Proof

Once your top three prospects are confirmed, extend invitations to the next tier of 8–12 attendees. The key is to highlight the presence of the top prospects—successful alumni or key industry leaders—who will be at the dinner. This creates an additional draw, as others are more likely to accept an invitation when they know they’ll have the opportunity to connect with influential peers.

3. Reinforce Commitment

As the guest list is finalized, send out a confirmation email listing all attendees. This step helps minimize last-minute drop-offs by reinforcing the value of the event. When attendees see who else will be there, they are more likely to follow through on their commitment, ensuring a well-attended and productive dinner.

Small group dinners can be a game-changer in major gift fundraising when executed with intentionality. By strategically selecting key prospects, leveraging social proof, and reinforcing commitment, you can create an engaging experience that strengthens donor relationships and drives meaningful philanthropic support.

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5 Specific Takeaways from The Smart Nonprofit by Beth Kanter and Allison H. Fine

The Smart Nonprofit by Beth Kanter and Allison H. Fine provides a roadmap for nonprofits to integrate technology in ways that enhance their mission while staying true to their human-centered values. Here are five specific takeaways from this excellent book which can be purchased here on Amazon:

1) Automating Routine Tasks to Free Up Staff

The authors share an example of a nonprofit that used a chatbot to answer frequently asked questions from volunteers, saving staff time. This allowed team members to focus on building deeper relationships with volunteers and improving program quality.

2) Using Predictive Analytics for Fundraising

Kanter and Fine highlight a nonprofit that implemented predictive analytics to identify donors most likely to upgrade their giving. This approach increased efficiency and allowed fundraisers to prioritize high-value prospects while maintaining personalized engagement.

3) Addressing Bias in AI Tools

The book discusses a nonprofit that implemented AI-driven hiring software but discovered biases against candidates from underrepresented groups. By auditing and adjusting the algorithms, the organization ensured fairer hiring practices and a more inclusive approach.

4) Creating Ethical Data Policies

One example involves a nonprofit that developed a clear data-use policy, outlining how donor and beneficiary data would be collected, stored, and shared. This transparency built trust with stakeholders and set a precedent for ethical data management in the sector.

5) Human Oversight of Automated Decision-Making

The authors describe a nonprofit that used AI to recommend beneficiaries for specific programs but required human staff to review and approve all decisions. This ensured that the technology supported, rather than replaced, nuanced and empathetic decision-making.

These examples illustrate how nonprofits can adopt technology responsibly while keeping human connection and ethical practices at the forefront. Again, we highly recommend this excellent book!


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5 Specific Takeaways from The Little Book of Gold by Erik Hanberg

The Little Book of Gold by Erik Hanberg is filled with actionable advice tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small nonprofits. Here are five specific takeaways from The Little Book of Gold: Fundraising for Small (and Very Small) Nonprofits by Erik Hanberg:

The Power of a Handwritten Thank-You Note
Hanberg shares an example of a small nonprofit that saw increased donor retention simply by sending handwritten thank-you notes within 48 hours of receiving a gift. This personal touch made donors feel appreciated and connected to the organization.

“Mission Moments” at Board Meetings
To engage board members in fundraising, Hanberg suggests starting meetings with a short story about someone impacted by the nonprofit’s work. This inspires board members and reinforces their connection to the mission, making them more effective advocates and fundraisers.

The 80/20 Rule for Donors
Hanberg highlights the importance of focusing on the top 20% of donors who typically provide 80% of the funding. For example, one organization doubled its fundraising by prioritizing personal relationships and tailored outreach to its top donors.

Annual Fundraising Calendar
A specific recommendation is to create a simple, month-by-month fundraising calendar that includes key activities like appeals, events, and donor stewardship. This structure helps small nonprofits stay organized and consistent throughout the year.

Regular Donor Updates
Hanberg provides an example of a nonprofit that sends a quarterly one-page letter to donors, highlighting recent accomplishments and thanking them for their role in the organization’s success. This strategy helped maintain donor engagement and increased repeat giving.

These examples demonstrate how small, intentional actions can lead to significant improvements in fundraising outcomes for small nonprofits.

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5 Specific Takeaways from It’s NOT JUST About the Money

It’s NOT JUST About the Money by Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels is a must-read for major gift fundraisers. The book covers essential topics, from adopting a donor-centric approach to measuring impact and celebrating success. Here are five specific takeaways and we highly recommend buying the book to take in all this actionable information.

1) Personalized Thank-You Calls

The authors share an example of a nonprofit leader who personally called donors to thank them for their gifts, without asking for anything in return. This simple act of gratitude significantly strengthened donor relationships and led to increased giving over time.

2) Using Storytelling to Inspire Giving

A fundraiser successfully connected with a donor by sharing the story of a specific individual whose life had been transformed by the organization’s work. The emotional resonance of this story led the donor to make a larger, more committed gift.

3) Donor Portfolio Management

The book emphasizes organizing and prioritizing donor portfolios, with a specific example of a nonprofit creating a 1:1 donor-to-staff engagement plan. This allowed fundraisers to focus on cultivating meaningful relationships with top donors rather than spreading themselves too thin.

4) Focus on the Why” Conversations

One example involved a fundraiser asking a donor why they were passionate about the cause, rather than simply discussing the organization’s needs. This approach uncovered the donor’s personal connection to the mission, which deepened their engagement and increased their contributions.

5) Showing Impact Through Reports and Updates

The authors describe a nonprofit that sent donors detailed updates, including photos and progress reports on projects they funded. This transparent communication helped reassure donors that their gifts were making a difference, leading to repeat and larger gifts.

These examples highlight the book’s core themes of gratitude, emotional engagement, and transparency in donor relations.

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5 Specific Takeaways from The Essential Fundraiser’s Handbook by Lisa Greer

Lisa Greer’s The Essential Fundraiser’s Handbook is an excellent book that highlights the importance of building authentic relationships with donors, embracing diverse donor engagements, and fostering a culture of philanthropy within organizations. Below are five actionable takeaways from the book, with number five being a particular standout. We highly recommend purchasing the book, found here on Amazon.

1) Avoid the “Gala Trap”

Greer critiques the overemphasis on expensive fundraising galas that often yield minimal returns. She advocates for reallocating resources to personalized donor engagement, which can have a greater impact than one-time events.

2) The Power of Listening

Greer emphasizes the importance of asking donors why they give and what they want to achieve with their philanthropy. For example, rather than pushing predetermined projects, fundraisers should explore donor passions to align their goals with the organization’s needs.

3) Be Transparent About Financials

A specific example Greer shares is the frustration donors feel when they don’t understand where their money is going. She suggests providing clear, detailed updates on the impact of donations and breaking down budgets to ensure transparency.

4) Offer Ways to Engage Beyond Giving

Greer highlights the effectiveness of involving donors in non-monetary ways, such as inviting them to volunteer, serve on advisory boards, or mentor beneficiaries of the organization’s work. This deepens their connection and long-term commitment.

5) Communicate Early and Often

Greer underscores the value of proactive communication, such as sending donors updates on projects before they ask. For instance, one of her examples involves a donor receiving a personal email with progress photos from a project they supported, which reinforced their trust in the organization.

These examples demonstrate how prioritizing transparency, authenticity, and donor-centric approaches can significantly improve fundraising outcomes.

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