The 7 Steps of Major Donor Fundraising: What Goes Wrong and How to Fix It
The 7 steps of major donor fundraising are widely known — but following them does not guarantee success. Beth Upton argues that charities struggle not because they misunderstand the steps, but because they have not put the organisational foundations in place first. Here is what to address before you start the sequence.
From Daffodils to Donors: A Spring Reflection on Major Giving
What do daffodils have to do with major donor fundraising? More than you might think. Hannah Shepherd uses the rhythms of the garden to explore what a strong, intentional major donor programme looks like at every stage — from soil preparation to the long bloom.
How you can judge a major donor programme by a cup of tea
Before assessing a major donor programme, you need to understand the culture around it. Beth Upton shares the five warning signs she looks for when visiting a charity for the first time — and why so many of them show up before she has even sat down.
6 Essentials for a Successful Major Donor Programme
We are often asked what needs to be in place for successful major donor fundraising, to which the answer varies depending on the charity. However, there are 6 generally accepted fundamental factors (I don’t claim to have invented these!), which should act as the core of your major donor programme
Major Donor Fundraising: What Are You Waiting For?
Most charities seem fascinated by the concept of major donor fundraising, yet very few explore it thoroughly or have everything in place to run a major donor programme effectively. This is totally understandable as most charities are small, don’t have the resources and don’t know where to look for potential wealthy benefactors.
Delighting your Donor
The secret to delighting major donors is simpler than most fundraisers think — it starts with being honest about how many donor relationships you can genuinely sustain. Beth Upton explains how to find your capacity and then deliver exactly what your donors want.