Episode 16

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Published on:

11th Jan 2022

Major Gifts: the Difference Maker

With the new year around the corner, have you set up a solid game plan for raising major gifts? They can represent the majority of your fundraising and take your nonprofit to the next level, so if you are not working with individual donors to raise major gifts, the time to start is now--and this episode can help.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lou Traina, CFRM. Lou has served in public and private nonprofit enterprises for more than 29 years and is an expert in the field of major gifts. His passion for fundraising serves as a vehicle for enhancing the presence of nonprofits and allowing organizations to achieve their missions.

Lou holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. In his current role as a nonprofit consultant, he specializes in Board and Foundation governance, advancement development, collaborative leadership, investment giving, and organizational leadership.

In this episode you'll discover:

What is the definition of a major gift 01:48

How do you determine your organizations definition of a major gift? 02:25

How are major gifts differ from other gift activities 03:26

A run through of the major gifts fundraising cycle 04:32

Protecting a donors investment 07:10

How to build strong relationships when going after major gifts 09:01

Are wealth engines a must have for someone trying to raise major gifts? 10:23

Guest example of a time where patience paid off and made an impact at a nonprofit 14:32

Common mistakes that development officers make in donor development? 18:46

How do you raise major gifts virtually? 20:00

Coaches Corner Question - "How can I market my nonprofit on social media better?" 23:38

This podcast comes to you from IMPACTability® powered by Soukup Strategic Solutions.

IMPACTability® is an online coaching program that helps nonprofit leaders maximize their impact. With Impact Coaches, nonprofit leaders can achieve career goals and have a greater impact on the world around them. Impact Coaches will help you address real-world challenges that you experience in your own nonprofit. By focusing on your strengths as a leader, Impact Coaches can help you apply your knowledge and skills to have a greater impact.

Nonprofit Coaching: https://impactability.net (Learn more about IMPACTability® and how to work with a nonprofit coach).

Soukup Strategic Solutions, Inc. was founded in 2012 by the company’s president, Sheryl Soukup, to provide nonprofit organizations with expertise in fundraising and nonprofit management. The company offers consulting, coaching, and full-service grant writing, marketing, donor database management, strategic planning, and much more.

Nonprofit consulting and outsourcing solutions: https://soukupstrategicsolutions.com/services (Learn more about the services offered by Soukup Strategic Solutions to nonprofit organizations.)

Have a question for Coaches' Corner? Email IMPACTCoaches@IMPACTability.net

Visit our websites at:

https://soukupstrategicsolutions.com/ (www.SoukupStrategic Solutions.com)

https://impactability.net/ (https://impactability.net/)



This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
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About the Podcast

IMPACTability: The Nonprofit Leaders' Podcast
Each week, we feature an expert in their nonprofit field, discussing topics that range from fundraising and nonprofit management to Board development and marketing.
The show explores the landscape of the nonprofit organization and best practices from nonprofit experts. Get advice on how to solve the problems plaguing your nonprofit with your host Joe Turner of Soukup Strategic Solutions, a full-service nonprofit consulting company helping nonprofits across the country. Each week, we feature an expert in their nonprofit field, discussing topics that range from fundraising and nonprofit management to Board development and marketing.

About your host

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Joe Turner

For more than 20 years, Joe had successfully programmed radio stations in Detroit; Lansing, Michigan; South Bend, Indiana; and southwest Florida. Joe left the day-to-day radio world in 2007 for the nonprofit world when he joined Hodges University as its Director of Public Relations and Alumni Services. In 2021, he joined Soukup Strategic Solutions as the Director of Fundraising, Marketing, and Communications. Joe continues to run his own voice over company where he offers commercial and narration voice over services and has won three Telly awards for his work. He is a native of Detroit where he attended Wayne State University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Media Arts. In his spare time Joe loves to cook, is a musician and a self-professed “foodie.”