Major and Principal Gifts from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview: An Introduction to Major and Principal Gifts

In this module, you will be able to recall terminology used related to acquiring and managing Major and Principal Gift donations. You will be able to use guides to help develop and manage a Major Gifts Program. You will be able to identify eight elements of belief and confidence that indicate the likelihood of substantial giving. You will be able to recognize a prospective major gift donor and be better able to motivate their giving.

The Major and Principal Gift Process

In this module, you will be able to recognize the purpose and goals of prospect research and identify elements of prospect research. You will be able to examine how to determine a prospect's capacity for philanthropy. You will be able to research and identify potential prospects for your organization.

Prospect Cultivation, Strategy Development and Getting the First Appointment

In this module, you will be able to start the cultivation process and open the door with a prospective donor. You will be able to identify the objectives of an initial visit. You will be able to reflect on the donor's interests and building donor involvement.

Writing the Major Gifts Proposal, Solicitation and Negotiation

In this module, you will be able to write an effective proposal for major or principal gift development. You will be able to consider the structure of a successful solicitation strategy and practice making ‘the ask.’ You will be able to use closing techniques and negotiate with your prospective donor.

Structuring, Documenting, and Executing a Major Gift Through Stewardship

In this module, you will be able to discuss what it means to close a gift so that it is official for your organization. You will be able to draft a gift agreement and ensure it complies with gift acceptance policies. You will be able to develop an appropriate stewardship strategy of your donor.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops foundational to intermediate skills in major gift fundraising

Suitable for those working as major gift officers, those aspiring to the role, or those wishing to add major gift skills to their fundraising repertoire

Teaches strategies for developing initial long-term major gift prospects

Provides a framework for cultivating major gift prospects

Instructors Jason Wohlman is recognized for their work in major gift fundraising

Some hands-on examples and activities to reinforce concepts

Reviews summary

Informative course on gift fundraising

According to students, Major and Principal Gifts is a valuable course in the theory and practice of fundraising. The course offers usefull tips in challenging assignments that are well-received by those who take this course. Learners who come from countries outside the United States note that the content may be too US-centric.

High quality course content

"Well done. Great material and challenging assignments."

"Good content. However, some of the assignments are diffcult to complete if you do currently work at a nonprofit organization and have access to real donor data."

Course is too US-centric

"It is a really good course and worth taking, gives you food for thought. However, it is very skewed to the US."

"Much of the modus operandi is based on US statistics and these may not hold true for other parts of the world."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Major and Principal Gifts with these activities:

Read 'Major Donor Fundraising: The Path to Success'

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Gain insights into the strategies and techniques used by successful major gift fundraisers.

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Acquire the book
Read the book and take notes
Apply the concepts to your own fundraising efforts

Volunteer for a Non-Profit Organization

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Gain practical experience in fundraising and donor relations through hands-on volunteering.

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Identify a non-profit organization
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Participate in fundraising activities or donor events

Attend a Professional Networking Event

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Connect with professionals in the field and expand your knowledge of major gifts fundraising.

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Research and identify a networking event
Prepare an elevator pitch
Attend the event and engage with attendees

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Attend a Major Gifts Fundraising Workshop

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Expand knowledge and network with experts in the field of major gifts fundraising.

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Research and select a workshop
Attend the workshop
Follow up with speakers or attendees

Role-Playing for Initial Meeting

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Practice engaging with potential donors to establish a strong first impression.

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Prepare talking points
Anticipate questions
Practice active listening

Draft a Prospect Strategy

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Develop a comprehensive plan for identifying and cultivating major gift prospects.

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Identify target audience
Research potential prospects
Develop a cultivation plan

Writing a Major Gifts Proposal

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Create a compelling proposal to secure major gifts and articulate the impact of the donation.

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Define the scope and goals
Research and gather evidence
Draft the proposal
Seek feedback and revise

Negotiation Techniques for Major Gifts

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Develop negotiation skills to effectively secure major gifts and build lasting relationships with donors.

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Identify negotiation points
Prepare your arguments
Practice negotiation scenarios

Career center

Learners who complete Major and Principal Gifts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Fundraising Consultant

This course will provide insight into the practical skills one needs to succeed as a Fundraising Consultant, such as identifying prospects, engaging donors, and closing successful gifts. The skills you acquire from this course will enable you to manage a fundraising portfolio, develop a fundraising strategy, and provide guidance to clients. If you are looking to work in the field of fundraising, this course may be useful in your career path.

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Donor Relations Manager

This course will provide the skills and knowledge one needs to succeed as a Donor Relations Manager. Specifically, this course will teach the importance of building relationships with major donors through research, cultivation, and stewardship. As a Donor Relations Manager, you must maintain a portfolio of major donors, solicit planned gifts, and coordinate stewardship programs. This course provides the roadmap to succeed in this role.

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Development Officer

This course will teach the core skills needed to succeed as a Development Officer. These skills include identifying and qualifying donors, building relationships, and soliciting major gifts. As a Development Officer, you will be responsible for fundraising and building a strong donor base for an organization. This course will provide the essential knowledge to succeed in this role.

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Philanthropy Officer

This course will teach you the essential strategies and tactics required to succeed as a Philanthropy Officer. In this course, you will learn how to develop and implement a fundraising plan, manage donor relations, and cultivate major gifts. As a Philanthropy Officer, you will play a vital role in raising funds and building relationships with donors. This course will provide a strong foundation to succeed in this role.

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Nonprofit Manager

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a management role within a nonprofit organization. You will learn how to develop a strategic plan, manage staff, and secure funding. As a Nonprofit Manager, you will be responsible for the overall success of an organization. This course will teach you how to lead a team, manage resources, and evaluate progress, all of which are vital for a successful Nonprofit Manager.

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Grant Writer

This course will provide the skills and knowledge required to succeed as a Grant Writer. You will learn how to identify and research funding opportunities, write winning grant proposals, and manage grants. As a Grant Writer, you will be responsible for securing funding for organizations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role.

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Event Planner

This course will teach you the essential elements of event planning, including budgeting, marketing, and fundraising. As an Event Planner, you will be responsible for planning and executing events for organizations. This course will help you understand the critical aspects of event planning and provide the necessary skills to succeed in this role.

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Marketing Manager

This course will teach you the principles of marketing and how to apply them in a professional setting. You will learn about market research, branding, public relations, and advertising. As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for organizations. This course will help you develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Accountant

This course will provide you with an understanding of accounting principles and how to apply them in a professional setting. You will learn about financial statements, taxation, and auditing. As an Accountant, you will be responsible for managing the financial affairs of organizations. This course will help you develop a strong foundation in accounting and prepare for a successful career in this field.

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Financial Analyst

This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a Financial Analyst. You will learn about financial modeling, valuation, and investment analysis. As a Financial Analyst, you will be responsible for evaluating investments and making recommendations to clients. This course will provide the foundation you need to succeed in this role.

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Investment Banker

This course will introduce you to the world of investment banking and provide you with the skills needed to succeed in this field. You will learn about financial markets, mergers and acquisitions, and capital raising. As an Investment Banker, you will be responsible for advising clients on financial transactions. This course will provide the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role.

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Management Consultant

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed as a Management Consultant. You will learn about business strategy, operations management, and financial analysis. As a Management Consultant, you will be responsible for helping organizations improve their performance. This course will provide the foundation you need to succeed in this role.

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Operations Manager

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed as an Operations Manager. You will learn about supply chain management, quality control, and project management. As an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course will provide the foundation you need to succeed in this role.

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Product Manager

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed as a Product Manager. You will learn about product development, marketing, and sales. As a Product Manager, you will be responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. This course will provide the foundation you need to succeed in this role.

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Software Engineer

This course may be useful for those looking to enter the field of web development or other software engineering roles. While this course does not teach programming or software development, it does provide insight into the fundraising and donor relations side of the industry. This knowledge may be valuable for those looking to work with or manage software development teams.

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